192 THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



The New Jersey station estimated that the amounts of 

 plant food gathered by an acre of alfalfa in two years 

 were equivalent in nitrogen to that contained in 3500 

 pounds of nitrate of soda; in phosphoric acid to that con- 

 tained in 600 pounds of boneblack superphosphate, and 

 in potash to the amount contained in 1200 pounds of 

 muriate of potash, or equal to what would have cost $124. 



EFFECTS ON SUCCEEDING CROPS 



The Wyoming station, at Laramie, under direction of 

 Prof. B. C. Buffum (Bui. No. 44) made some tests that 

 proved the market fertilizing value of alfalfa. A plot of 

 ground that had been in alfalfa for five years adjoined a 

 plot of the same size that had been in varied crops, wheat, 

 oats, potatoes, etc. After the alfalfa sod was broken the 

 two plots were prepared together and planted crosswise 

 to wheat, oats and potatoes, with half of each on the 

 broken sod and half on the other plot with the following 

 yields and gains : 



After Alfalfa After Other Crops Money Gain 



Wheat 30 bu 18 bu $8 to $12 



Oats 78 bu 37 bu 16 



Potatoes ..81 bu....52bu 16 



Stating the results in another way, Prof. Buffum says : 

 "The value of alfalfa harvested from one-half acre of 



land for five years was about $50 more than the cost of 



producing it. 



"The value of potatoes and grain from an adjoining 



half -acre for five years was about $44 more than the cost 



of producing, at local prices. 



