The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-19
How Lcsumes Get Nitrogen. (,

The editor of The Practical Farmer
stated years ago that he believed that
the micro-organisms that live in the
nodules on the roots of legumes are
simply nitric ferments. which oxfiidize
the free nitrogen of the air, and hence
form nitric acid in the soil, which
at once finds there some base, such
as lime or potassium, and makes
nitrate which is taken up by the roots
of the legumes. Some chemists were
disposed to think lightly of this, and
said that the bacteria-like bodies SIM
ply absorbed the nitrogen and gave it
to the plants. But experiment has
shown that there is an increase OF
nitrates in the soil outside the roots.
and that plants associated with the
legumes get the benefit of 1t. We are
glad to see, however, that some are
coming to our View of the matter,
and we believe that this will be the
final conclusion over this rather mys-
FERROUS matter. Prof. Clinton d. Smith,
i'm the Country Gentleman, recently
stated the process just as we have
done, and we believe this is the true
process by which the legumes are en-
ibled to get the nitrogen. But Prof
Smith we'll adds that while the in
oculated legumes will get the nitro
gen, they cannot get the phosphorus
or potassium. and If these are not
in the soil III sufficient percentage I'm
an available form the plants cannot
thrive. a thorough imoculation of
the soil with the nicrO-OrganiSms that
live on the particular legume grown
will go very far towards making them
Il success, SO that the farmer has but
TO use the phOSphatcs and potash to
encourage tho growth of the iegumes.
;1id through them to do more for
the succeeding crops than by COM
plete fertilizers direct 10 that crop.
Causes for Clover Failing.
one of the causes for failure is the
very common practice Of pasturing the
siubble field after harvest. a farmer
finds that he has 4 fine stand OF clover
after the wheat is cut and he cannot
bear TO see that much good pasture
wasted. and so he turns the stock in
during summer and fall and the field
is grazed bare. Then the winter finds
the clover weak. and il it is a severe
winter the chances are that the clover
has disappeared in the spring. ana
the farmer again declares that it is
impossible any more to grow clover.
IL. on the other hand. he had kept
every hoof off the field and had run
the mower over the stubble as the rag
weeds start the clover would have had
the best possible chance to get a strong
stead of failure would have been the
result. On farms of moderate size
in the East we believe that careful
farmers will find that any pasturing
of the cultivated fields is q bad thing.
We would have. a permanent pasture
and give it attention enough and fer
tilizing enough keep it In the most
never allow any animal on
the fields in rotation, except
the mules or horses that cui-
tivate the hoed crops. Then if lime
Is used occasionally in moderate
amount the land can be kept pro-
ducii1g good crops of clover When
the soil gets into an acid condition
clover will not thrive. and then lime
is Indicated. But it is better to keep
the soil from getting sour by using
lime about every six years on all the
fields. Glover may fail from q def
cheney of phosphorus or potassium in
the soil, and as we cannot in any
method of culture get these into the
soil. We must apply them artiticially
in fertilizers. Glover, as we'll as other
crops. fails at times from the use of
bad seed. Hence in buying clover seed
always get samples some time ahead
and examine them for foul seeds and
also count out about 100 seeds and
place them on a thick piece Of cloth
in a saucer. Cover with similar cloth
and keep it constantly moist on a
warm nantlepiece. and after awhile
note the percentage of the seeds that
terminate and the time it takes them
TO sprout, and you can thus tell the
value of the seed. Never buy seed of
low terminating power. Better pay
two prices for clean, good seed than
TO have poor seed given to you.
Institute Notes.
At Eliza beth City, y. c.. we were
among the potato growers and had
men not only from the immediate sec
ton, but from the neighborng part of
Virginia. Mr.. Lindsey. whose great
farm lies along the canal i'll the Dis
mai swamp. and who grows about