land was limed at four tons per acre and fertilized with 600 lbs. of 8-16-16 

 WB at seeding. The design was a random block with five replications of 

 6 x 20 foot plots. Fertilization rate during 1957, 1958 and 1959 was ap- 

 proximately 400 lbs. per acre of 0-15-30 in early spring, with a similar 

 application after the first harvest. 



Results and Discussion 



Dupuits alfalfa has excellent seedling vigor, and best stands were ob- 

 tained with this variety, as shown by 1957 yields in Table 4. Weeds (large- 

 ly daisies) were common in the first season, and contributed to the exces- 

 sive variability in 1957 as shown by the large coefficient of variation. Rea- 

 sonably good yields were obtained in 1958 and 1959. The 1958-59 aver- 

 age is probably more reliable than the three-year average because of the 

 excessive variability in 1957. Only two harvests were made per year be- 

 cause of the distance of this test from Durham. Undoubtedly, Dupuits al- 

 falfa, which has outstanding ability to recover after cutting, would have 

 shown greater superiority with three harvests per year. However, it is 

 not known whether three harvests per year can be made at this location. 

 Narragansett alfalfa, as indicated in earlier trials (1), also appears to be 

 an excellent variety for New Hampshire. Vernal alfalfa, although lowest 

 in this test, is also an excellent variety, with superior resistance to bacterial 

 wilt. However, as far as is known, bacterial wilt does not seem to be a 

 major problem in New Hampshire at this time. 



Table 4. Forage Yields of Four Alfalfa Varieties, 



Colebrook, New Hampshire, 1957-1959. 



(tons/D.M./acre) 



Total Seasonal Yields (2 Harvests) 



Average 1.30 2.57 2.94 



L.S.D. (P = 0.05) 0.75 0.36 N.S. 



C.V. % 41.9 10.3 10.0 



2.27 



2.71 



Although the 1958-59 winter was considered one of the most severe on 

 record, no differential survival was noted in 1959. In fact, yields were 

 higher and the stand good when the test was terminated in 1959 because 

 experimental work by the Agronomy Department was transferred to Grove- 

 ton. Good survival was obtained in other legume tests in northern New 

 Hampshire, probably because of the excellent snow cover in this region. 

 Many clover and alfalfa fields in southern New Hampshire were completely 

 killed during the winter of 1958-59. 



