No. 4.] DAIRYING. 181 



piece in 1909, and to note whether the alflilfa or the witch 

 grass lias won out. Success witli alfalfa for one year is 

 often worth while ; for two years better worth while ; for 

 three years well worth while ; and if it is gone by the fourth 

 year, one need not feel that his labor has been in vain. 



Mr. Geo. H. Ellis. I regard alfalfa as highly as does 

 any man here. I believe thoroughly in its value as a food. 

 Experiments indicate that it is worth one-third more than 

 clover h^y. But go slow in trying it in Ncav England. 

 From the experiments I have made so far and those that my 

 friends have made so far, I don't believe it pays to raise it, 

 and it is a question of dollars and cents. I am a thorough 

 believer in alfalfa, but I do not believe my experiments so far 

 would warrant my spending any more time or money on it. 



Dr. Hills. Our station has had Mr. Ellis's experience, 

 and we are now going at the problem from a diiferent 

 direction, studying the relationshi}) of the character and 

 origin of the seed to success. Seed bought in the open 

 market is apt to be that grown under irrigation in the far 

 west, and to be ill adapted to the growth of a crop in non- 

 irrigated northern regions. We are trying to get seed from 

 native plants, from the volunteer plants, those which have 

 survived for years in spots in New England, — seed which 

 is home-grown and acclimated. If this can be done, the 

 likelihood of success is enhanced. Mr. Ellis does well to 

 advise farmers to go slow. Mr. Fielden was a bold man to 

 plant at the outset so large an acreage. The generality of 

 farmers will do better to try but a fraction of an acre, for 

 the mental stimulus they will gain from the experiment, if 

 nothing else. There is a fair likelihood that temporary suc- 

 cesses may be attained ; but for the present make clover 

 your staple legume crop, and try alfalfa in but an experi- 

 mental way. 



Adjourned. 



Afternoon Session. 



The afternoon session was called to order by Secretary 

 Ellsworth, who introduced Mr. Warren C. Jewett of Worces- 

 ter as the presiding officer. 



