New YorK AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. BP) 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 
In presenting this summary of experiments conducted in co- 
operation with approximately 200 farmers in this State it is 
a pleasure to acknowledge the assistance which these farmers 
have rendered in this connection. While we trust that, as- with 
all work done for others, good has resulted to each of them, 
they have given freely of their time, thought and substance that 
their fellow farmers might know better how to meet their prob- 
lems. As a result of this united effort there is now available 
a reasonably accurate measure of the importance of two of the 
main factors in growing alfalfa in this State and this evidence 
could be obtained in practically rio other way. 
The records of many of these experiments are given in their 
appropriate place but there are almost as many that are 
not so recorded because the circumstances of the experiment 
rendered the results of doubtful value. These accidents or mis- 
takes were largely due to the inexperience of the farmers or of 
their help and are to be expected in such work. The spirit 
which led them to try to help their fellows is worthy of com- 
-mendation and the experience gained wili assist them in being 
of further service. © 
I. EFFECT OF INOCULATION. 
PREVIOUS EXPERIMENTS. 
Inoculation as a factor in growing alfalfa was discussed! in 
Bulletin 300* on the basis of observations made upon 67 experi- 
mental fields distributed among about one-half of the counties 
of this State. These experiments were begun during the sea- 
sons of 1905 and 1906 and the observations extended over two 
growing seasons. 
These observations indicate that the bacteria which form 
nodules on the roots of the alfalfa and enable this plant to 
make use of the free nitrogen of the air are present in small 
numbers in practically all alfalfa fields. However, it was in 
1 Harding, H. A. and Wilson, J. K. Inoculation as a factor in growing 
alfalfa. N. Y. Agr. Exp. Station Bul. 300. March, 1908. 
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