Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-04-01

also coincide with the experience of
C. B. Mcmillan and C. P. Getchell,
the oldest alfalfa growers in this sec
tion of the state. Likewise the fields
started in 1913, numbering about
seventy-tivc, and the one hundred and
four fields started in 1914, so far as
they have gone, bear out the expert
ence already related of the fields be-
gun in 1912. | cannot, however,
| form as accurate an estimate of the
effects of incubation upon the fields
seeded these last two years because l
was so convinced of its value from the
result of the first years seeding that,
except in few instances each year,
have made it practice to get all
fields inoculated wherever possible.
Summing up the whole question on
the basis of my experience, would
say that | believe that an alfalfa field
will gradually become inoculated itself
by the end of the third season, and to
some extent before that time, if the
soil is especially rich in humus and
fertility, but that there is consider
able difference in yield of hay the
second year, at least to the extent of
one-half to threefourths of a ton per
acre, and that there is grave danger
of severe winter killing up until the
fields become inoculated particularly
so during the second winter There
fore, when incubation is such SIM
pie and cheap process, | cannot see
how anyone can take a chance on SOW
ing without, until thoroughly convinc-
ed from his own experience that it
does not pay. knowing the important
relationship which exists between the
nitrifying bacteria and the alfalfa
plant, it stands to reason that
although alfalfa may live temporarily,
it is unreasonable to expect a thrifty,
hardy, vigorous plant without its
presence. In this locality uninoculated
fields cannot stand up under the strain
of producing successive crops Of hay
and go into the winter with sufticie. {
strength to prevent winter killing to
some extent. This would hold SINH
larly true, although probably to a
lesser extent in regions further south,
where the winters are less severe.
With all the conflicting statements
and various methods proposed for arti-
| 1o+ al -,
wonder that the majority Of the farm
ers do not wish to assume the bother,
as they regard it, of carrying out one
of the various processes. | want to
present in definite detail the plan that
we have used in this county for the
past three years, which | know is
Ipractical and which has met with un-
varied success in producing abundant
incubation within a few months after
seeding. Locate field which is at
least in its third season after plant
ing. The field should have that dark
green color and thrifty luxuriant
growth, the sign of incubation
Further satisfy yourself of its pres
ence by digging up plant and locat-
ing the nodules on the roots. Select
a place alongside of the field, where
the plants are thick, and spade off
the top six inches Of the SOIL taking
plants, roots and all, and fill up one
common sack with this SOIL for every
acre which you expect to inocu!ate.
Put in what will conveniently go into
the sack without packing. Upon
arriving home, this dirt should at
once be dumped out on clean floor
spread out no deeper than an inch or
two, with all clods broken up and
plants and roots raked out. The dirt
should so be placed that no direct sun
light can strike it, but remember that
doors and windows should be at least
partly open, to allow Of good ventila-
tion. Every few days the dirt should
be shoveled or raked over for a few
minutes to further assist in drying it.
After about two weeks test it to see
if it is thoroughly dry. This may be
done Dy picking up handful, sQueeZ-
ing it tightly and then releasing the
hand. Ii it shows any tendency to
retain form, or pack, it is not dry
enough, but if, when the hand is open
it runs out like sand, then it is dry
, enough for seeding. This dirt should
, then be run over fine screen, such
as flax screen for tanning mill, or
} a screen door, and it should come out
as fine dry sandy powder. 1t will
be found, that for every sack full of
| dirt dug up in the field, you will have
left about one bushel of sifted, dry
soil. This can then be sacked up and
left indefinitely, if in a dry place,
| until ready for seeding.
Continued to Next Week.
Eddie Smith, the Nekoma athlete