46 



In all localities where sweet clover (Melilotus alba) does not 

 grow spontaneously inoculation of the soil with the bacteria for 

 alfalfa is essential to the highest success. Pure cultures may be 

 obtained both from the United States Department of Agric^^ltu^e 

 and from dealers, but in the experience at Amherst the most satis- 

 factory results have followed the use of earth taken from an 

 alfalfa field in a locality where the crop has been for some time 

 successful. There are a number of such localities in the state 

 of New York. In the experiment at Amherst some 300 or 400 

 pounds of alfalfa soil per acre have been used, but the statement 

 is made that from 100 to 200 pounds will be sufficient. This 

 earth should be evenlj^ spread upon the field and immediately 

 well worked in with a harrow. Even a comparatively short ex- 

 posure to sunshine will kill the bacteria. 



In the earlier experiments at Amherst the seed was usually sown 

 in the early spring. Under these circumstances, it was found 

 that the annual weeds almost invariably outgrew the alfalfa and 

 greatly retarded its development. In our more recent experi- 

 ments we are seeding somewhat later. We plow the land in 

 early spring and harrow it repeatedly at intervals sufficiently 

 close to prevent all growth of weeds. Under this treatment the 

 seeds of the annual weeds which lie near enough to the surface 

 to germinate will almost all have started previous to the date ot 

 sowing and these weeds having been destroyed, the alfalfa has 

 a much better chance. It is now believed that the seed should be 

 sown from about June 10th to the 20th. 



Unless the field is already rich, it is wise when it is broken up 

 in the spring to give it a heavy dressing of manure, and in con- 

 nection with the manure the Director of the Experiment Station 

 would advise the application of the following mixture of chem- 

 icals : 



Per acre : 



Basic slag meal, 1000 to 1200 lbs. 



High grade sulfate of potash,. . 300 to 350 lbs. 

 Nitrate of soda, 75 to 100 lbs 



When well started, alfalfa will not require further additions 

 of manure nor of any chemicals or fertilizers which supply nitro- 

 gen, as it can draw this element from the air, but in the early 



