332 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 260 



Nitrogen Assimilation by Grasses and Clovers. ( A. B. Beaumont). 

 Data secured thus far indicate that nitrogen in the form of nitrate, am- 

 monium salts, and urea is assimilated by the common tame grasses. No 

 distinct differences in growth in the respective media have been obtained, 

 as was the case with tobacco. Some, but inadequate, evidence has been 

 obtained that clovers assimilate nitrogen directly from nitrates and urea 

 but not from ammonium salts. 



Ecological Study of Pasture Vegetation. (A. B. Beaumont). Further 

 data have been obtained on the effect of lime and fertilizer nutrients 

 on the growth of pasture vegetation. Yield records have been secured 

 from certain plots; but on account of the excessive summer drought, 

 differences which have appeared in other seasons did not show in the 

 figures. In a new experiment with different forms of nitrogen applied 

 as top dressings, the quick response of pasture grasses to nitrates, am- 

 monium salts, and urea was very evident. Response to calcium cyanamid 

 was slow. Subnormal rainfall may have been a significant factor in the 

 behavior of the cyanamid. From our several experiments with nitrogen 

 compounds it is very clear that comparatively large amounts of nitrogen 

 do not eliminate white clover from the pasture flora. 



Alfalfa Variety Tests. (A. B. Beaumont and R. E. Stitt). Further 

 evidence has been obtained which shows that certain varieties of alfalfa 

 originating in southern climates are not winter-hardy in Massachusetts. 

 Tentative ranking of ten varieties grown in Test No. 1, in decreasing 

 order of hardiness after two winters, is as follows: 



1. Hungarian 



2. Grimm, Ontario Variegated, Utah, Kansas, Dakota 12 



3. Cossack, Argentine 



4. Arizona, Ladak 



No outstanding differences have appeared which could be attributed 

 to fertilizer and lime treatments. At this stage of the test, it is very 

 evident that varietal or strain differences are much more significant than 

 are differences in fertilizer treatments within the range studied. 



In Alfalfa Variety Test No. 2, 19 strains were seeded in 1928. The 

 seasons" work on this test support the results from Test No. 1. A third 

 test field of alfalfa varieties was started in August 1929. This is part of 

 the extensive testing of legume varieties being conducted by this Station 

 in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry of the United States 

 Department of Agriculture. 



lests of Varieties of Soy Beans and Field Peas. (A. B. Beaumont and 

 R. E. Stitt). Twenty varieties of soy beans were grown from seed fur- 

 nished by the Bureau of Plant Industry. Dunfield, Illini, Medium Green, 

 Harbinsoy, Ito San and Habaro produced the largest yields of hay, but 

 there were big differences in the quality based on size of stem. Large 

 differences were also obtained in yield of seed, habit of growth, and 

 other characteristics. 



Five varieties of Canada field peas were grown. Planting time was de- 

 layed on account of the heavy rains of May. The plots were abnormally 

 weedy and results are of little significance. Chang and Wisconsin pro- 

 duced the most hay, and O. A. C. 181 and Wisconsin the most seed to 

 the acre. 



