Forage Variety Trials in New Hampshire 



1951-1956 



By Gerald M. Dunn and Paul T. Blood* 

 Introduction 



FORAGE crops are the foundation for a balanced agriculture in New 

 England. In New Hampshire, farmers derive over 80 percent of their 

 total cash income from livestock and livestock products, and in 1954, 

 approximately 80 percent of the cropland was in hav and pasture crops. 

 Because of soil, climatic, and economic factors, much of the cropland is more 

 suitable for forage than for row crops. 



Farmers are becoming increasingly aware of the value of high quality 

 grasses and legumes for nutritious feed and in soil improvement. Unfortu- 

 nately, the many species of forage crops have generally been considered as 

 one, and research support has been inadequate in comparison to the at- 

 tention given many cash crops. There is a great need for more research 

 on methods of establishing and maintaining forage crops, and in the de- 

 velopment of more persistent varieties which will better resist the major 

 disease, insect, and climatic hazards that seriously interfere with efficient 

 production. 



A number of new varieties of forage crops have been developed recently. 

 Several have been tested by the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment 

 Station, and yield data are presented for varieties of alfalfa I Medicago 

 sativa), bromegrass ( Bromus inermis Leyss), and Ladino white clover 

 (Tri folium repens). 



Alfalfa 



Alfalfa is undoubtedly one of our most productive legumes in areas where 

 it is adapted. It can be grown successfully on deep, well-drained soils on 

 many farms in New Hampshire, provided that sufficient limestone and 

 plant nutrients, especially potash, are supplied. 



Material and Methods 



A test plot was seeded August 15, 1950, on the Whenal farm at Green- 

 land. New Hampshire. The soil, formerly known as Stratham, now classi- 

 fied as Warwick, is a gravelly-silt loam, and is probably one of the best 

 alfalfa soils in the State. 



* Dr. Dunn is Associate Plant Breeder in the Agricultural Experiment Station. 

 Mr. Blood is Associate Agronomist in the Station. 



