170 FORAGM CROPS 



organic matter, are neutral in their reaction, and 

 are well-drained; and these are the conditions j 

 also, that are favorable for crops, providing suffi- 

 cient food is present. 



Methods of inoculation 



In view of these facts, it becomes necessary, in 

 order to secure the full benefit from the growth of 

 leguminous crops, to see that the proper organisms 

 are present. This may be readily accomplished by 

 inoculation, or introducing the specific organism. 

 Soils deficient in these organisms may be supplied 

 by using earth from the fields in which they are 

 known to be present. Experiments show that only 

 a small quantity is necessary, if evenly distributed, 

 to accomplish the purpose. From one to three 

 hundred pounds of mixed soil, taken from dif- 

 ferent parts of the field, will be sufficient for one 

 acre, if sown broadcast and harrowed in. The soil 

 should be taken from a field in which the same 

 kind of crop has been successfully grown. The 

 organisms will multiply when legumes are grown, 

 will distribute rapidly, and be prepared immedi- 

 ately to begin their helpful work. Once the organ- 

 isms are present, there is little danger of their 

 destruction under good farm practice. If the crops 

 that are grown on this area are fed to farm stock, 

 and the manure is used elsewhere on the farm, 



