OCR Text |
Show BACTERIA NEEDS OF SOIL Best and Safest Method Is to Secure Dirt From a Successful Alfalfa Field. A writer in Dry Farming, says: It is apparent that moui of - our upland prairie lands will need inoculation. inocula-tion. Nearly all farmers (at least those who have taken an Interest in alfalfa) understand this term. It Is necessary that certain bacteria be found in the 6oil. If they are not there naturally they must be put there. This planting of the bacteria is called inoculation. Pure cultures can be obtained, but the best and safest method Is to secure se-cure dirt from a successful alfalfa field. This dirt should be sowed over the field at the rate of 200 or 300 pounds per acre, upon a cloudy day, or just before a rain if possible, and harrowed in. Sunshine is injurious to the germs. A sack and a half of soil to an acre will be sufficient, but it might be of advantage to mix this with other dirt to Insure equable distribution. An advantage in starting with a small patch of alfalfa is that when this patch is well Inoculated a farmer has an abundance of alfalfa dirt to Inoculate Inocu-late larger areas. |