The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1905-03-10
An Important Announcement Free Inocu-
lating Material for Leguminous Crops.
pInnInht1rnr Nn Fol " lns

Blacksburg, Va, Feb. y, %.
The question Of soil inoculating for
the production Of various leguminous
crops is now prominently before the
public. Realizing the importance of
this subject to Virginia farmers, the
Virginia Experiment Station, through
its Department Of Bacteriogily, has
undertaken the preparation of inocu-
lating material for alfalfa, vetches,
COW peas and soy beans. This work
is in chorge Of DR.. Meade Ferguson,
bacteriologist Of the Statation. The
various cultures mentioned are now
in the course Of preparation and will
be ready for distribution in ample
time for inOculating soil for any of the
above crops this spring. Enough Of
the particular bacteria applied for to
inoculate five acres Of land will be
sent TO any farmer residing in the
State on the following conditions:
twenty-five cents will be charged
for sufficient material to inoculate one
acre Of land. This charge is not made
for the service Of our bacteri ologist,
but simply TO cover the cost Of con-
tainer for the solution that can be
transmitted with safety through the
mails, and also to pay postage. All
the labor Of inoculating and preparing
these cultures for distribution in the
State is being horne by the Station,
but the authorities believe that if the
bacteria will accomplish anything
like the results claimed for them that
persons receiving the material gratis
would be glad to pay the small charge
imposed for packing and mailing
which the Station has no legitimate
means Of meeting, and as this offer is
made TO all the farmers Of the State, it
is clear that the burden would be
greater than the Strengthened finances
Of the Station could bear. When the
packages are sent out they will con-
tain printed directions as to how TO
use the bacteria most effectively. a
blank will also be enclosed, and it is
expected that every farmer receiving
package will report at the end Of the
growing season to the Station authori-
ties on the results Of his work. This
information is desired in order that
the effectiveness Of soil incubation for
the crops mentioned may be definitely |
ascertained.
The value Of incubation becomes
when it is stated that farm !
ers can often secure good stands Of al
falfa and are able to grow the crop |
fairly well for one or two years, after
which it sickens and dies. 1t seems |
as a rule that when these results fol-
low no nodules have formed on the
roots Of the plants, and as the bacteria
which give the plant its power Of as
atmosphere nitrogen reside
in these nOdules, the cause Of death is
The great value Of legumi-
nous crops lies in their power to gather
nitrogen and store II in
the soil through the action Of the bac-
ieria just described. Therefore, the
Of incubation becomes APP
parent, for atmospheric nitrogen can
be stored in the soil at very low cost
10 the farmer, whereas he has to pay
At least Is cents pound for it in a
form. The Station believes
hat in offering these cultures to the
farmers that it is doing a work Of pro-
bounced value for the advancement Of
he agricultural interests of the State.
These cultures are guaranteed to be
pure and true to name, and it is be-
ieved that hundreds Of farmers will
)e glad to avail themselves Of the OPP
oortunity presented to test the merits
If artificial soil incubation.
Andrew Soule,
Director.