New York AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 181 
was exceedingly dry. It should be stated, also, that over the whole 
field the plants were severely attacked by leaf spot (Pseudopesiza 
medicagims) which caused a majority of the leaves to fall. 
DIAGRAM OF THE HICKSVILLE ALFALFA SOIL 
; INOCULATION [.XPERIMENT. 
Dark shading indicates good growth, as shown by 
large, dark green plants, 
A —Half-acre strip artifically inoculated 
with soil. 
3 — Uninoculated. 
C— Low area where alfalfa grew well 
without artificial inoculation. 

AMT 2LB c 
Mr. Colyer reports that the third cutting in 1907 was made Oc- 
tober 1 and that in the spring of 1908 the inoculated portion made 
a splendid growth, the plants standing 12 inches high by May 12. 
In several other experiments the beneficial effects of inocula- 
tion were quite as marked as in this one and manifested themselves 
in a similar manner. 
As the best method of supplying nodule bacteria, the Station ad- 
vises the use of soil from a successful alfalfa field. It should be 
sown broadcast at the rate of 150 to 200 lbs. per acre. This is the 
method now most used in the State. The principal objection to it 
is the danger of introducing troublesome weeds and plant diseases. 
However, if proper precautions are taken the risk is slight. In 
New York no case of serious trouble from this source has come 
to our attention. Nevertheless, because of such danger, Moore™ 
and others of the United States Department of Agriculture dis- 
courage the use of soil and recommend pure cultures instead. Con- 
® Moore (67); Moore and Robinson (69); Woods (114), (115); Keller- 
mun and Robinson (51), (52). , 
