New York AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 139 
“In New Jersey it can be cut three or four times each season, 
for five or six years in succession, yielding under favorable condi- 
tions, as heavy tonnage per acre as fodder corn, which it notably 
surpasses in quality.” : 
Dr. EK. L. Sturtevant:* “Although a plant of warm climate, yet 
under favorable circumstances of soil it seems to do well even as 
far north as this State; but it requires a deep, loose sandy soil, 
and to be kept free from weeds. 
“When cut early, before the stalks become woody, it affords a 
nutritious hay, well spoken of by all writers on agriculture, for 
the feeding of milch cows and horses.” 
Professor C. S. Plumb:+ “No changes of weather or tempera- 
ture seem to have affected this plant thus far as grown here. 
Station experience warrants us in believing as desirable the trial 
of this crop on the farm for green food. 
“Although the seed is expensive, and large growth not certain 
after sowing, the seven years’ experience here indicates that alfalfa 
will thrive and do well in this climate, and where good seedings 
are secured will yield a large, valuable crop, especially during dry 
weather.” 
It seems to be the prevalent opinion that lucerne does not 
flourish well so far north as New York State, but seven years 
experience with it at this Station proves that it can and will thrive 
well in this latitude. Chancellor Livingstone experimented with 
it with good results on his estate in Columbia county nearly ninety 
years ago. It has been generally conceded that, in order to 
succeed, lucerne must have a deep, sandy, or light loam soil. The 
experience of the Station has been upon heavy clay loam, some of 
it of a cold retentive nature. Our experience indicates that 
_ alfalfa will thrive well upon other than sandy or light loamy soils 
Two acres and a half of lucerne now growing at the Station, on 
__ three parts of the farm, show well the capabilities of the plant to 
withstand the drought and northern winters. In 1882 two plats 
were put down to lucerne and alfalfa. These plats have yielded 
several crops each season since. In 1888 they were cut three times, 
* First Annual Report, N. Y. Expt. Station, p. 78. 
+ Fifth Annual Report, N. Y. Ag. Experimental Station, p. 135. 
