226 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



poorer and more worn soils are most likely to be acid, in which 

 case the use of lime is essential. Even on the more fertile soils 

 its use has usually resulted in a more vigorous and healthy 

 growth. Lime in the form of fine ground raw limestone is 

 much to be preferred, owing to its cheapness as well as to its 

 effect upon the soil. The soil may readily be tested for acidity 

 by taking thoroughly moistened soil from a few inches below 

 the surface and pressing it, as into a ball, about a piece of blue 

 litmus paper. If after ten or fifteen minutes the paper is found 

 to have changed to a distinctly pink color, one may be reason- 

 ably sure that the soil needs lime. Otherwise lime is probably 

 not needed. Litmus paper can be secured at almost any drug 

 store. 



Inoculation. 



The results of numerous and wider tests indicate that 

 most of our soils probably contain the alfalfa bacteria which are 

 essential for continued success with this crop. While these bac- 

 teria are probably not present in so large quantities as could be 

 desired, their rapid multiplication is apparently much aided by 

 a liberal use of manure. 



On soils which do not naturally contain these bacteria it is 

 absolutely essential that they be introduced. This inoculation 

 may best be secured as follows : 



Just before seeding, scatter uniformly on the piece, from 150 

 to 300 pounds per acre of soil secured from a field where alfalfa 

 has grown vigorously and where the plants produced in abund- 

 ance tubercules on their roots. Where this is not to be had, soil 

 from a sweet clover patch may be used. 



This soil should not be exposed to the sun any more than 

 necessary, and may well be applied toward evening and har- 

 rowed in thoroughly at once as the direct rays of the sun soon 

 kill the bacteria. 



As there is no way of determining whether these bacteria 

 are present in a given soil without attempting to grow alfalfa, 

 the only safe way is to inoculate; since if they are not present 



