Thirty-fourth Annual Convention. 253 



ployed with reasonable chances of success. One point must 

 always be kept in mind, no matter which method is employed, and 

 that is that sufficient time and labor must be given to soil prep- 

 aration to rid the surface of all weed seeds. 



In counting the cost of establishing an alfalfa field, we should 

 always take into account the fact that this one soil preparation 

 and seeding, if properly accomplished, will be good for many 

 years. If the soil is in poor condition and the stand imperfect, 

 there will be just so much of a loss every year that the crop occu- 

 pies the ground. Alfalfa should always be put in a place where 

 it can be left for at least five or six years. It does not attain its 

 best development until about three years old, and it may be kept 

 in good condition almost indefinitely . 



Inoculation. 



Concerning soil inoculation for alfalfa, we can only say at 

 the present time that it seems to be necessary in about half of the 

 cases where the crop is first introduced. It is quite probable that 

 the spread of alfalfa culture in the state is already having some 

 effect in lessening the need of artificial inoculation. The experi- 

 ments reported in this bulletin show that in many cases nodules 

 developed without special inoculation, and many similar cases 

 have come to our notice in the last two years. It has often been 

 observed that where manure is applied the need of especial inocu- 

 lation may be avoided. The so-called pure cultures of bacteria 

 for inoculation have not produced noticeable results in a single 

 instance where we have tried them. 



Wherever inoculation is considered necessary, we would ad- 

 vise the use of soil from a good alfalfa field where the bacteria 

 are known to exist. At least one or two hundred pounds of clean 

 soil should be used per acre, and if at all possible it should be in- 

 corporated with the seed. 



The Experiment Station has neither soil nor other inoculat- 

 ing material for sale. 



Clipping. 



The information we have concerning the clipping of alfalfa 

 during the first season is too contradictory to permit of making 

 a.ny general rule. It seems, however, that clipping has sometimes 

 been overdone and that young alfalfa should rather be allowed 

 to grow undisturbed so long as it is doing well and does not 

 bloom. With early seeding, one clipping in the latter part of 



