430 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



to be dissolved in the water in which the cultures were to be started. 

 In very many cases the use of these cultures resulted in absolute fail- 

 ure. The desiccation to which the bacteria had been subjected ap- 

 peared to have destroyed their vitality. So far as the writer knows, 

 all private companies which are now offering commercial nitro-cultures 

 prepare them in accordance with the system first used by the govern- 

 ment, 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 sufficiently tried to warrant an expression of opinion concerning 

 their value, but 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 accordingly, 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 emphati- 

 cally 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. 



Fertilizers for Clovers. 

 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 Rotation. 

 Where clovers are grown in rotation with other crops, they will 

 occupy the land at most but two or three years. In such cases practi- 

 cally all manure or fertilizer used will be applied previous to seeding. 

 On most farms where stock is kept, manure in larger or smaller quan- 

 tity 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 applications of 

 manure, materials which supply phosphates, potash and perhaps also 

 lime should be employed During the past few years large quantities 

 of phosphatic or basic slag meal have been employed on the college 

 farm at Amherst, and with results which are eminently satisfactory. 

 This slag meal should contain about 16 to 20 per cent of actual phos- 

 phoric acid. This acid is not in so highly available a form as in acid 

 phosphate or dissolved bone black. On the other hand, it appears to 



