42 Report oF DEPARTMENT OF BACTERIOLOGY OF THE 
counties of the State. The wide distribution of these experi- 
ments as well as the character of the results obtained from 
them is shown by Map‘I. From this it will be seen that 
they cover the State fairly except in the mountainous regions. 
Il. EFFECT OF LIME. 
It is a frequent observation among farmers that an applica- 
tion of ashes to soil results in a more vigorous growth of mem- 
bers of the clover family. This result is due partly to the 
potash and phosphates which are contained in the ashes; but 
practically the same result follows the application of the residue 
after the soluble salts have been removed from the ashes in the 
process of home soap making.- Unleached wood ashes carry 
about 600 Ibs. of lime to the ton and much of this favorable 
action of ashes upon the growth of legumes is ascribed to the 
action of the lime. 
In recent years the effect of lime applied in a variety of 
forms has been extensively studied with regard to its effects 
both on the soil and on the plants. Our interest in this con- 
nection is limited to consideration of its value in connection 
with the starting of alfalfa. Those interested in its broader 
aspects are referred to the publications on this subject by the 
various agricultural experimental stations, particularly that of 
Rhode Island. | 
Practically every recent publication on alfalfa growing has 
laid stress upon the necessity of applying lime, in many cases, 
before success can be expected with this crop; but the data upon 
which these statements are based is not given. An exception 
to this is Pennsylvania Station Bulletin 79° which states that 
“Time has not given satisfactory results. In some instances 
it has given no appreciable results; in others it has been de- 
cidedly harmful; in no case was it applied to advantage.” The 
authors of Cornell Bulletin 237° find that the situation is dif- 
2 Watson, Geo. C. Alfalfa as a forage crop in Pennsylvania. Penn. Agr. 
Exp. Station Bul. 79, September, 1906. 
’Hunt, Thos. F, Stone, J. L, Gilmore, John W. and Fraser, Samuel. 
Alfalfa. N. Y. Cornell Station Bul. 237, March, 1906. 
