524 ALFALFA FARMING IN AMERICA. 
these two forms of phosphorus are used as top- 
dressings for alfalfa fields. This past rainy season, 
_ however, fully demonstrated to us that one can get 
an excess of acid phosphate. Usually the north field, 
where the acid phosphate has been applied, has 
yielded heavier alfalfa than the south field, as it is 
naturally more fertile, but the past rainy season 
showed just the reverse. The first cutting on both 
fields was about equal, both fields being exception. 
ally heavy, but the second cutting on the south field 
(where the basic slag had been applied) not only 
yielded a crop that was enough superior that it was 
readily apparent to the inexperienced eye, but the 
north field was also a sicklier color, being attacked 
more by rust and plainly showing the effects of too 
much acid in a soil naturally alkaline. Probably in 
a normal year there would not have been so striking 
a contrast, but it has fully settled in our own minds 
which to use for top-dressing alfalfa—hbasic slag or 
acid phosphate. 
Turkestan Alfalfa.—This variety was introduced 
by the United States Government some years ago 
in the hope that it would prove more drouth-resist- 
ant than the common alfalfa on certain soils. Noth- 
ing much was heard of it until a few years ago, when 
seedsmen awoke to the fact that imported Turkestan 
seed was exceedingly low in price. Immediately the 
country was flooded with a large amount of Turke- 
stan seed and many farmers throughout the cornbelt, 
attracted largely by the low price of the seed, 
