42 



Old alfalfa, wlio.se growth has been arrested ,and which 

 has become unthrifty, is often benefited b}- prompt mow- 

 ing, even though the gTowtli be too light for harvesting. 



The next most important treatment usually recom- 

 mended for alfalfa more than a year old is to run a disc 

 harrow over it when needed. This is sometimes done 

 after each cutting, but judgment is needed in this matter. 

 The discs are set straight so as not to cut off the plants. 

 Discing sei^ves as a cultivation and to thicken the stand of 

 old alfalfa. On sandy land at Auburn we have found the 

 weeder useful in young alfalfa in killing very young 

 grass and weeds just germinated. 



At Auiburn crimson clover sown early in October in 

 old drilled alfalfa was ready for cutting at the same time 

 as the alfalfa, and the combined yield was large. This 

 combination is not advised except when the stand of al- 

 falfa has become so thin that it is about time for it to be 

 plowed under. 



TOLERANCE OF ALFALFA TOWARD OVERFLOWS. 



When excessive rains occur and poorly drained soil 

 remains saturated for a long time, alfalfa sometimes 

 take on a pale yellowish, sickly color. This plant is 

 classed as among those least able to endure prolonged 

 saturation of the soil. Yet the large yields obtained on 

 bottom lands make it worth while to take some chances 

 of Injury from overflows, especially on soils so drained 

 naturally or artificially that the ground soon dries after 

 the waters subside. 



An overflow does not necessarily mean the destruction 

 of the alfalfa plants. Experience in other states indi^ 

 cates that alfalfa may pass safely through a submerg- 



