82 



FARM AND SCHOOL PROBLEMS. 



It is therefore very evident that failures in these instances 

 were due to other causes than types of soil. According to re- 

 ports it is shown that weeds cause more failures in alfalfa cul- 

 ture than any other one thing. 



There are at least five essential factors that must be con- 

 sidered in the culture of alfalfa. They may be summed up as 

 follows : 



1. Tho."ough drainage 



2. A sweet soil 



3. Humus in the soil 



4. A clean field 



5. Nitrogen fixing bacteria. 



Bacteria will not thrive 

 where there is acid in the 

 soil. Lime and innoculation 

 ire important factors in al- 

 falfa growing. Lime sup- 

 plies the needs of the plant 

 and corrects any possible 

 acidity. 



It has been very truth- 

 fully said that "where al- 

 falfa is queen, corn in king," 

 and that: "Alfalfa makes 

 two blades of grass grow 

 where but one grew before." 

 A chemical analysis 

 shows that alfalfa contains 

 forty-two pounds of lime per 

 ton, while timothy contains 

 but seven pounds per ton. 



This shows the importance of a good supply of lime in growing 

 alfalfa. A luxuriant growth of alfalfa is an indication of an 

 abundance of lime. 



In testing soil for lime use muriatic or hydrochloric acid. 

 Get a sample of the type of soil to be tested; place in a glass 

 tumbler and pour the acid on the soil ; if there is an effervesence 

 or a bubbling similar to water boiling in the soil this is proof 



FIG. 1. A test of the effect of Al- 

 falfa Bacteria in growing Alfalfa 



; in ordinary soils without fer- 

 tilizers. 



