62 HIASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the country who have successfully used these selected bacteria. 

 Of course it was expected that soils which were devoid of any of 

 these organisms would be improved by inoculation, but it was 

 not supposed that where the bacteria already existed and had 

 been producing a fair number of nodules upon the standing crop 

 that the addition of the cultivated form would be of an}'- distinct 

 benefit. Reports demonstrate, however, that in some instances 

 the inoculation with the cultivated forms shows as much differ- 

 ence upon the field as in those places where bacteria had not 

 previously existed, and it seems probable that by following the 

 method so well understood by plant breeders that eventually we 

 may be able to develop an organism which will be available for a 

 number of conditions which at the present time it is not supposed 

 possible to benefit. 



Numerous laboratory experiments have seemed to demonstrate 

 that it is impossible for the nodule-forming bacteria to penetrate 

 the roots of legumes after the plants are of any size. For this 

 reason it has always been considered that it was useless to 

 attempt to add the nitrogen-fixing bacteria to a growing crop. 

 However, experience AA^ith these cultivated forms seems to indi- 

 cate that under some circumstances the use of inoculating mate- 

 rial upon a standing crop of any age will be beneficial. 



I quote some opinions of practical men on the subject as 

 follows : F. G. Short of Fort Atkinson, Wis., writes, " In July 

 the Department sent me a sample of alfalfa bacteria, with direc- 

 tions for application. This was used on a field of alfalfa which 

 had been newly seeded this spring and up to that time had shown 

 a very small growth of yellow, rather stunted plants. I used the 

 bacteria according to directions and can see there is quite a 

 decided change for the better." John C. Lloyd of Utica, Neb., 

 used a culture upon five acres of alfalfa sown thi-ee years ago. 

 The result was "ranker growth than before treatment and much 

 heavier crop of hay. Cut three times and could have cut four, 

 but pastured the last crop." 



In Hoard's Dairyman for Nov. 11, 1904, an account is given 

 of the treatment of old alfalfa fields with liquid culture applied by 

 means of a sti'eet sprinkler. An experimental trial of this method 

 was made by one of the editors of the paper with " very evident 



