18 N. H. AGR, EXPERIMENT STATION, [Bulletin 203 



Soy Bean Inoculation. 



The tests of the pievious year in which four different commercial cultures 

 were used to inoculate the beans were repeated by Mr. Eastman. All of 

 the inoculated plants showed a remarkable difference in color and also in 

 the number of root nodules in comparison with the uninoculated. Chemical 

 analyses showed 2.26 per cent, nitrogen in the leaves and stems of the inocu- 

 lated plants as against 1.79 in the uninoculated. In other words the inocu- 

 lated plants contained about 26% more nitrogen than the uninoculated. 

 From this and other tests it is quite evident that inoculation should be re- 

 sorted to where soy beans are grown for the first time on a given piece of 

 ground. 



Early Planting of Ensilage Corn. 



This work was conducted this season for the second time by Mr. Tay- 

 lor, in co-operation with the Federal Bureau of Plant Industry. The premise 

 was that larger yields and a better quahty of silage com could be secured 

 in the more northern latitudes by planting the later varieties several weeks 

 earUer than the usual planting season. Three varieties, Mt. Hope Dent, 

 U. S. No. 119, and U. S. No. 193 were furnished by the Bureau, Two rows 

 of each variety were planted on a high, well drained piece of stony loam soil 

 on four different dates: — May 4, May 14, May 24, and June 3, 



The first planting requued 15 days to come up, and the second 10 days. 

 After the first month no difference in these two plantings could be noted 

 throughout the season. At harvest time, September 16, little or no difference 

 in the growth and maturity of the first three plantings could be noted. The 

 fourth or last planting showed a marked difference particularly in the ma- 

 turity of the ears and the color of the leaves. "VMiUe the lower leaves on 

 the earUer plantings were dry and browTi, those on the last planting were 

 all green and vigorous. This was probably a seasonal effect due to the very 

 dry weather of August and early September. 



While no data was secured on the comparative yields per acre, the early 

 plantings did not seem to be noticeably better for silage than the later. Fur- 

 ther observations on the question at issue, however, must be made before 

 definite conclusions can be reached. 



Lime Requirement of the Soils of New Hampshire. 



In connection with the studies in soil rejuvenation the necessity arises 

 of liming soils in order to grow legumes successfully. In order to obtain 

 more information regarding the lime requirements of the soils of New Hamp- 

 shire, Mr. Kraybill made arrangements with the county agents to take samples 

 of soils from various farms over the state and send them into the Chemical 

 laboratory. Description sheets were filled out by the county agents giv- 

 ing the location and characteristics of the soils sampled. The soils were 

 tested at once by means of the Truog method and the results reported to 

 the county agents so that they were available for the farmer. These samples 

 of soils have been carefully preserved and are being used for a more care- 

 ful study of the soils of the state. 



