254 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



W. Z. Cook: 



By plowing carefully the old roots will spring up new and stool out, but 

 some seed should always be sown at the time of plowing. The roots can 

 be cut off eight inches from the surface, and they will come up again. To 

 destroy an alfalfa patch, so as to kill out the roots, it should be plowed in 

 the Summer; to get the old roots to start again, it should be plowed just 

 before the Winter rains begin. 



H. Goepper, of Santa Ana: 



Irrigation will not entirely take the place of rain in starting alfalfa. I 

 believe some rain to be absolutely necessary in starting a piece of alfalfa. 



W. Z. Cook: 



I must differ from that opinion. I have often started alfalfa just after 

 irrigating the ground, and if the face of the ground bakes, I use a light 

 harrow, though I believe November to be the best time to start. I advise 

 the use of a light harrow always as soon as the alfalfa is up a short dis- 

 tance. 



