The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1920-10-16
FACTS ON QUESTION
SOIL INNOCULATION
Dependable Cultures May be
Secured From q. A. c.
At Nominal Cost.

Prof. q. V. Copson, Acting Bacter-
iologlst OF the Oregon Agricultural
College, has submitted the following
letter, bearing upon the use OF cul-
turc media for tho innoculation OF
legumes. In view OF the activity OF
commercial agents In the State at the
present time and the character OF
their representations, II In deemed
important that this information be
given publicity through the press
Prof Copson says:
THE following circular letter is
sent TO you In order that you may
give the farmers the facts on the
question OF artificial innoculation OF
iegumes. and. 10 refuto the question
able and false statements made by
agents selling commercial cultures.
"D The pure culture" method
IL perhaps the best way. all things
considered. to get the special kind OF
bacteria into your soil. II you al
ready have a certain iegume growing
In n field on your farm. you can
easily and thoroughly innoculate an
other field with this soil, This In
the surest method known and has no
Disadvantages when you know there
are no weed pests TO be carrier along
with the soil.
"t2 The pure cultures prepared
at o. A. ?. are guaranteed To be fresh
and TO contain the largest possible
number OF living. virile bacteria.
grown on nitrogen-freo media In or
der 10 make them take their nitrogen
from the air. Other than this the 80
called breeding up" OF bacteria In
all humbug.
"t3l No man can guarantee" fav-
orable results from pure culture"
innooulation. IL is an experiment
and II the soil happens 10 be- lacking
On this particular Mind of bacteria II
will probably be a benefit n properly
applied. II the bacteria are already
there, innoculation IN useless: II In
like adding a little water to the
ocean.
"(D n In not known how long
bacteria will live In the soil whom
no legume IN grown. but after five
years II In recommended that innoc-
ulation he practiced. II the bacteria
are In the soil as shown by the pres
ence of nodules on tho roots. no
amount of innoculation will do any
more good.
"t5J We are recommending the
use Of larger amounts Of innoculat-
ing material on the strength of later
experimentals evidence. The amount
now recommended for two acres is
more than We formerly recommend
ed for fifteen acres. and much larg-
er thaa the commercial cultures
These bottles sell for soc postpaid.
or the equivalent OF twenty-five cents
per acre We put the culture up In
twO-acre Sizes only.
Summing up; The o. A. e. Cul-
lures are as good as any In the mar
ket and larger for the amount recon-
mended than any Of the commercial
cultures we have seen. There IN no
comparison between breeding up"
live stock and innoculating bacteria
they are already bred up" Many
soils do not need innoculation. III the
soil Is well drained and not acid, but
stiii a~iIl not grow ieguminous
crop. there innoculation may help.
No one has any right TO claim more
for innoculation.
"Since innoculation OF legumes is
still experimental. the Department
OF Bacteriology at q. A. q. IL pre-
pared TO furnish innoculating bac-
terra TO the farmers of Oregon at
cost. The facilities for handling this
work are greatly improved 30 that
orders can be filled promptly. II IL
expected that the farmer will leave
a small plot uninnoculated as a
check and will report results at the
end OF the season.
ANY further information on the
subject will be cheerfully given"
Very truly yours,
Signed: Il. v. MARIS
nnnntu 1ant Iaahar