1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 35 



The growth was very much superior to that of the pre- 

 vious year, and upon examination in the early part of the 

 season it was found that the roots of about one-half the 

 plants were abundantly supplied with nodules. These plants 

 were making a vigorous growth, and had a deep-green color, 

 indicative of an abundant supply of nitrogen. They were 

 at this time evidently able to draw upon the atmosphere for 

 this element. Later the other plants in the field seemed 

 also to gain this ability. 



On July 8 the crop averaged 6 feet in height. A portion 

 was cut and fed to the cows kept in the department of foods 

 and feeding. This portion yielded at the rate of about 12^ 

 tons per acre. Dr. Lindsey reports that the cows ate it 

 readily and appeared to be fond of it. It was, however, 

 rather coarse for feeding when allowed to stand until the 

 latter part of July. If to be fed, the crop should be cut 

 early. In average seasons it would be at its best condition 

 during the first half of the month of July. It is not, how- 

 ever, as a fodder crop that I am inclined to recommend a 

 trial of sweet clover, but rather as a crop for green manur- 

 ing. I believe it may serve here a similar purpose to that 

 served by crimson clover in localities where it is hardy. 



Miscellaneous Crops. 



Alfalfa. — One-quarter of an acre of light soil was sown 

 on April 17 with alfalfa. The fertilizer applied to the 

 quarter acre was as follows : fine-ground bone, 100 pounds ; 

 nitrate of soda, 50 pounds ; phosphatic slag, 50 pounds ; 

 muriate of potash, 50 pounds. One-half the seed used was 

 treated with nitragin. All the seed germinated quickly, no 

 difference being noticed l)etween the treated' and the un- 

 treated. The small plants were, however, injured by the 

 heavy rains, and up to date the crop has made but a feeble 

 growth. 



Saccaline. — Our trial of this crop has been carried out 

 upon two small plots, the one having a heavy, moist soil, 

 the other a light, drier soil. One-year-old plants were set 

 in the spring of 1896. The growth during that season was 

 feeble. In August of that year each plot was given a good 



