54 



HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. 



[Jan. 



The total yield was at the following rates per acre : un- 

 limed, 5,374 pounds ; limed, 8,088 pounds. These are green 

 weights, and they represent a very small and unprofitable 

 product. It is of course possible that the poor growth may 

 be largely the result of the absence of bacteria of the right 

 species in suitable numbers ; but the yield even on that part 

 of the plots to which the Kansas soil was applied was 

 exceedingly small. 



B.— Alfalfa on Field B. 

 The second plot on which we now have alfalfa is one of 

 those in field B, which has been yearly manured with bone 

 meal at the rate of 600 pounds, and muriate of potash, for the 

 last two years, at the rate of 250 pounds per acre. The soil 

 of this field is a moderately heavy loam. It is tile-drained, 

 by means of one line of tiles running through the middle 

 of the plot ; the depth of this drain varies between three and 

 four feet. This plot has recently produced good yields of 

 a number of our common farm crops. The seed was sown 

 on this field in the spring of 1900, in drills, as in the other 

 field, and the crop was very carefully cared for. Nothing 

 was harvested in 1900 ; but the crop, which was just begin- 

 ing to bloom, ^as cut on July 1, as it showed signs of 

 blight. That which was cut was allowed to remain on the 

 ground. It may be here remarked that this practice has 

 been strongly recommended by farmers who have had ex- 

 perience in the growth of alfalfa in New York, where, as 

 here, the crop is somewhat subject to a rust-like blight. 

 The experience of these farmers has led them to conclude 

 that when this blight shows itself the crop must be im- 

 mediately cut ; otherwise, as the leaves are soon destroyed, 

 the vitality of the plants is seriously lowered. Their ex- 

 perience is that, if the crop be promptly cut and allowed 



