Troubled with 
“Alfalfa Yellows’’? 

Some folks have asked if we know what to 
do about their fields of alfalfa turning yel- 
low. Presence of this trouble seems to indi- 
cate a definite soil deficiency . .. the stand 
starts going down fast, especially after the 
second year... leaves turn yellow . . . stems 
become short and stunted in second and third 
cuttings, allowing weeds and crab grass to 
get a hold in the field. 
Reports of tests at several points in the 
East show that borax treatment can control 
the situation. Tests in Virginia showed that 
10 pounds of borax to the acre increased 
yield over 2 tons of dry hay the first two 
years. Plants remained green and bloomed 
profusely, even in the long spring drought 
of 1941, while untreated plants turned yellow. 
Method used was an application of a ton 
of limestone and 800 pounds of 0-14-6 ferti- 
lizer to the acre at seeding time (in this case 
in September). Borax was applied, 10 pounds 
to the acre, at the same time. 
A warm moist mash fed about noon 
each day encourages production. About 
3 pounds of moistened mash is suff- 
cient for 100 hens. This is not a sub- 
stitute for the dry mash. 
Alfalfa Needs Inoculation 
Neglect of proper inoculation is a frequent 
cause of alfalfa failure. Unless alfalfa or 
sweet clover, which uses the same bacteria, 
has been successfully grown on the field be- 
fore, the proper bacteria often will not be in 
the soil. Without these bacteria to produce 
nodules on the roots and supply the crop with 
free atmospheric nitrogen, the alfalfa must 
depend entirely on the nitrogen in the soil. 
The nitrogen-gathering bacteria give any 
legume its value. Without them it will be 
pale and unthrifty, will not produce large 
yields or a high-protein forage (protein is 
another name for nitrogen), will soon be 
choked out by weeds, and will leave the soil 
poorer instead of richer. 
Cobs Best 
Tree Mulch 

Cobs make an ideal orchard mulch, F. C. 
Ehinger says. He is able to obtain large 
quantities from grain elevators in Lenawee 
County, Michigan, at no cost but the hauling. 
They are spread 6 inches deep under the 
trees and one mulching lasts 5 years. Straw 
and hay decay rapidly to create a nitrogen 
problem, increase the fire hazard and supply 
ideal cover for mice which might girdle trees 
when the orchard is covered with snow. Cobs 
are as good as straw for reducing grass com- 
petition and conserving moisture, and Ehin- 
ger says they are superior in other respects. 

C. A. Hottenstein, Berks County, Pa., smiles at some well-cured hay 
from his splendid stand of Hoffman Alfalfa. He doesn’t need anyone 
to tell him how good it is—but a lot of neighbors have told him any- 
way. 
Alfalfa Seed Scarcity (Continued) 
The very short crop of true Northwestern Verified Origin 
Grimm Alfalfa is practically exhausted. . . . But there has 
been brought over from northwestern Canada a limited 
quantity of Grimm Alfalfa with a splendid record for hardi- 
ness and producing ability. We will have for you a portion 
of this seed. The Canadian Government will allow its grow- 
ers to release only a part of their crop. It is splendid seed 
.. very highly recommended ... strictly clean and tested! 
Before the season is over, you will hear of low-priced 
seed from South America, imported to meet this situation. 
We know nothing about this seed, and until we do, we won't 
recommend it. When you consider seed regions in Argen- 
tina alone are about as far apart as the Gulf of Mexico and 
Hudson Bay, you'll realize the danger of seed about which 
nothing is known. 
In this whole situation, prices have gone sky high, and 
Hoffman advice to you is this. If you have to have Alfalfa 
this year, get your order in at once. Hoffman's promise is 
... you shall receive the top quality seed available, and at 
fair prices. If you can stretch your alfalfa fields for another 
year, maybe that’s one good way out. (Note page 26.) 
HOFFMAN “‘NORTHWEST” ALFALFA 
(U. S. Verified Origin) 
The true strain that made its great eastern reputation because 
it was produced in the tough seasons of the Rocky Mountain 
area. 
This Hoffman Seed comes from the hardiest, best-yielding 
strains produced either in Montana, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming 
or other states of that area. Government tags on each bag 
tell you exactly which states your seed comes from. Es- 
pecially cleaned and tested, free from noxious weeds, this 
seed has produced heavy-producing stands throughout the 
East lasting for 5, 7, even 9 years, and still makes many full 
loads at every cutting. Many thousands of leading alfalfa 
men have put their money into this Hoffman Seed, and ob- 
tained the finest kinds of results. 
The secret of the success of Hoffman ‘‘Northwest’’ is its 
extra large and vigorous root system that keeps it growing 
prolifically in good seasons, enables it to produce in poor 
summers and protects the stand in cold winters. 
