. Horticulture; a text book for high schools and normals, including plant propagation; plant breeding; gardening; orcharding; small fruit growing; forestry; beautifying home grounds; the soils and enemies involved. ld war, namely, atmospheric nitrogen. This isobtained by the growth of legumes, such as clovers, beans, peas,vetches and others. Value of Legumes.—It has been known for hundreds of yearsthat members of the clover family, when plowed under, wouldgreatly increase the growth of the crops which follow them. It hasbeen only a generation since the real reason for this has beenknown. Since
. Horticulture; a text book for high schools and normals, including plant propagation; plant breeding; gardening; orcharding; small fruit growing; forestry; beautifying home grounds; the soils and enemies involved. ld war, namely, atmospheric nitrogen. This isobtained by the growth of legumes, such as clovers, beans, peas,vetches and others. Value of Legumes.—It has been known for hundreds of yearsthat members of the clover family, when plowed under, wouldgreatly increase the growth of the crops which follow them. It hasbeen only a generation since the real reason for this has beenknown. Since this reason was discovered the use of legumes toimprove the soils has greatlv increased. The power of plants of this family to obtain nitrogen from theair is not found in other plants. The gathering of the nitrogenfrom the air is dependent upon the presence of special kinds ofbacteria to suit the various groups (Figs. 200 and 201). Soils already containing these bacteria are said to be naturallyinoculated. Others need to be inoculated by some artificial meansto make the gathering of nitrogen from the air possible. Methods of Inoculation.—Several practical methods of inocu-286 METHODS OF INOCULATION 287. lation of soils for the growth of legumes are in use. When onceinoculated thoroughly the soil will not need it again for the samegroup, unless long periods elapse between years when those legumesare grown on that soil. The soil-spreading method is to get a little top soil from a placewhere the same plants have been very successfully grown, spreadit on the new place and harrow it inbefore the hot sun has any chance tokill the bacteria. The rate of spread-ing the soil may be about 200 to 500pounds per acre. The amount re-quired will depend chiefly upon themethod of spreading. More soil willbe required if it is to be spread witha shovel. A rapid plan is to spreadthe soil with a lime spreader or fertilizerdrill. It may also be sown broadcastby hand, as seed is sown. The aglutin
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, booksubjectfruitculture, booksubjectgardening
