30 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



showed many features necessary in growing the crop. A part 

 of this exhibit was made by the experiment station to show, 

 first, effect of Hme in various quantities; second, the effect of 

 varying proportions of organic matter; third, the effect of inocula- 

 tion; fourth, effect of potash; and fifth, varieties. The result of 

 these experiments showed, first, that hme is useful up to three- 

 quarters of the amount required to make soil neutral; second, 

 that moderate amounts of organic matter are necessary; third, 

 that inoculation with lime added did not show any particular 

 results; fourth, that potash did not seem to be necessary; and 

 fifth, that Spanish, Dakota, Common, Canadian, 24452 Yellow 

 Flowered, Grimm and Baltic varieties were best in order named. 



As these results were from pot experiments their results might 

 not apply to field culture, and in variety test none of these 

 were wintered over. 



Several beautiful fields of alfalfa have been visited by the 

 secretary this season, and in particular those of the Massachu- 

 setts Agricultural College and Medfield State Hospital are 

 worthy of special notice. The Worcester County Agricultural 

 Society had a splendid exhibit in the competition and there 

 were over ten entries. 



Cover and soiling crops, such as crimson clover, soy beans, 

 rye, vetch, winter wheat, oats and peas are being grown more 

 and more in the State. Many farmers are turning to these 

 crops for their supply of nitrogen and for use in protecting land 

 from washing in winter. More experimental work on these crops 

 should be made, as it is undoubtedly true that more of these 

 crops will have to be used as fertilizers grow scarce. 



One variety, lupine, does not seem to have been used a great 

 deal as a nitrogen gathering plant, and yet its possibilities are 

 great. 



Legislation necessary for 1917. 

 The secretary has this past year spoken at several meetings in 

 this and other States on a subject which he considers of vital 

 importance in the future of agriculture, and especially that of 

 Massachusetts. This subject is organization in agriculture. With 

 an agricultural population of less than 8 per cent in our State, 

 with large tracts of land lying idle, with capital more abundant 



