INOOULATION 171 
the chances are that the organisms will soon be 
generally distributed. It is especially desirable 
that land be inoculated for alfalfa, if it has not 
grown alfalfa previously. Clover lands are not 
often inoculated. 
It often happens that in the growing of such 
plants as cowpeas and soybeans, the first crop will 
not show the tubercles, but the second one will be 
well supplied with them, indicating that the organ- 
isms may be introduced by means of the seed or 
the dust that goes with it. Some seedsmen now 
make it a practice in harvesting soybeans and cow- 
peas to pull them instead of cutting them, thus 
mingling more or less of the soil with the seed in 
the threshing. 
The organisms of different leguminous crops 
have recently been investigated by the United 
States Department of Agriculture,' and methods 
devised for providing suitable nutrients for them. 
As a result, cultures have been prepared and 
distributed, together with the food necessary for 
their early growth. The commercial cultures have 
not yet been successful in practice, however; but 
eventually good results may be obtained. 
The grower should remember that inoculation of 
the soil is only one factor in the growth of these 
plants. Good crops cannot be grown on poor, wet, 
or acid soils, or under unfavorable culture condi- 
1 Bureau of Plant Industry, Bulletin No. 71, January, 1905. 
