Report of Aefaefa Investigations 7 
an excellent chance to observe the stooling habits of the different 
varieties; here again the Turkestan plats were exceptionally good, 
better than any other; and in some plants there is a tendency to root 
down, from the crown branches, which would be a very desirable 
trait, to thicken a poor stand, or to maintain a stand of alfalfa on 
poor soil condition, if it could be better developed. 
A contrast in stooling habits is shown in Plate No. Ill, the 
larger being from the Turkestan plats, compared to common al¬ 
falfa, with main roots over an inch in diameter. In each case, the 
plants are three years old. 
The tendency to start growth early in the spring, is a variation 
that is characteristic of the Turkestan alfalfa, and some others; as 
early as March 17, in 1908, these strains were showing green shoots 
three to five inches high, above the ground, while under the same 
conditions, the native and some other strains, remained dormant 
full three weeks later. It has now been observed, that a correspond¬ 
ing check in the growth of these very early varieties, takes place 
late in the fall, and it is doubtful if this variation is of any value, 
for the crops in the spring, are so often set back, or cut short, by the 
late spring freezes. 
Our observations, and the reports from several other sources, 
have been to the effect, that horses will prefer the Turkestan alf¬ 
alfa in a pasture, over the ordinary kinds. This fact seems' to be 
well established, but a comparison of the different varieties, has not 
been made, nor has the reason for this preference been demon¬ 
strated, but it is doubtless due to a better flavor that the horse 
appreciates. 
The contrasts in disease resistant tendencies, in alfalfa are 
sometimes very marked, but the plats that have been most affected 
by a disease one season, have not always been the same ones the 
next; so there seems to be a little question, as to the reliability 
of these observations. As in the case, of frost resistance, it is the 
dark green colored leaves that seem to be the least affected by the 
mildew or “leaf-spot.” 
The presence of leaf fungus affects seriously the leafiness of 
hay, and the search for plants that were the least affected, have 
been carefully sought in o,ur seed selections. 
The richest part of alfalfa hay is in the leaves and small stems, 
hence, a dense foliage, giving a high per cent of leaf-to-stem ’ 
quality should be a dominant point in the selection for hay type; 
and selections for this point have been carefully made. 
Plate No. IV, shows the contrast in the uniform production 
of leafy traits, in two rows, sown last May with the seed of appar¬ 
ently equally good selections, for this trait. 
