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all private oompanles ■which are now offering commercial 

 nitro-ciiltiires prepare them in accordance with the system 

 first used by tlie government, and the presumption is that in 

 many cases these cultures will be found valueless, and for the 

 reason above indicated. The United States government at 

 the present time is preparing cultures in semi-fluid form. 

 These are sent out in sealed glass vials. They have not been 

 sufiiciently tried to warrant an expression of opinion con- 

 cerning their value, l)ut the method, at least judged from a 

 scientific point of view, appears better calculated to yield 

 successful results than the earlier method. 



It has been urged that the bacteria sent out in culture form 

 are selected and especially vigorous forms, and that accord- 

 ingly, even in cases where the soils contain the right species 

 of bacteria, the clover crop may be increased, or may be 

 enabled to draw nitrogen in larger quantity from the air 

 through suitable inoculation with these improved cultures. 

 It does not appear to the writer that this point has been as 

 yet proved, and in conclusion he would go on record as most 

 emphatically advising against the use of cultures for clover, 

 unless, indeed, it is found on experiment that clovers do not 

 develop in any given locality the characteristic nodules. 



Feetilizees foe Clovees. 



In considering this topic, we shall do well to consider 

 separately clovers grown in rotation with other crops and 

 clovers in permanent mowing. 



For Clovers in Eotation. 

 Where clovers are grown in rotation with other crops, 

 they will occupy the land at most but two or three years. In 

 such cases practically all manure or fertilizer used will be 

 applied previous to seeding. On most farms where stock is 

 kept, manure in larger or smaller quantity will be used for 

 the crops which precede the clovers. It has been pointed out 

 that it is a mistake to use manure too freely for the crops 

 which precede the clover. Application at the rate of 4 to 5 

 cords to the acre only is desirable. In connection with such 



