State Agricultural Society. 473 



dried it up and killed it. We had fifteen acres that came up as well as 

 we ever saw any. and had got three leaves on it, and then was ruined 

 in this way. 



We believe that for Spring-sown alfalfa, it is generally better to sow 

 a light crop of wheat or barley with it to protect it from these winds 

 and drying hot sun. 



PREPARING THE GROUND. 



Whatever be the nature of the soil, it should be plowed deep and well 

 pulverized and rolled level before the seed is put on. Then if you can 

 take time and sow it just before a good rain, the seed need not be 

 dragged or cultivated in, as the rain will do this part of the work suf- 

 ficiently. But generally it will be safer after sowing to run the roller 

 over the land the second time, or drag a light brush over it. 



QUANTITY TO THE ACRE. 



Twenty pounds to the acre is generally considered sufficient, but as 

 this kind of grass is better for hay if grown thick on the ground so as 

 to make the stems small, we would recommend to put on about twenty- 

 five pounds. 



Following we give extracts from a letter written by Nicholas Wyckoff, 

 of Yolo County, one of the earliest, most extensive, and successful culti- 

 vators of this valuable grass in the State: 



" It is well to fallow the ground when possible, and having the ground 

 in fine tilth it may be sown before the rains in the Fall with good suc- 

 cess, if the rain is abundant and warm, and then followed by a second 

 rain to prevent its drying before taking root. There is poor promise 

 here of succeeding in that way this season, as it is getting so late with- 

 out rain that when it comes it may be too cold to germinate well. The 

 best time here has proven to be in February, when the cold weather is 

 usually over and the ground is becoming warm; it starts then and grows 

 rapidly. Although it grows best in a warm soil and warm weather, it 

 stands quite a measure of frost even in a young stage. 



'•'Plow deep and thorough, let it remain, say, until the last of January, 

 then put the ground in fine tilth, sow from fifteen to twenty pounds to 

 the acre and brush or roll after sowing, but do not harrow, as it places 

 the seed too deep. It germinates on or near the surface. Do not sow 

 anything with it; it has been tried repeatedly in this county; it is but 

 an injury. It is a benefit to graze it moderately, as soon as the growth 

 is sufficient and the rains are over. Horses and mules will, if stinted, 

 paw after the root, and hogs will entirely destroy it. Cows are the 

 best stock to graze it the first year. 



" It yields from six to eleven tons per acre per annum. I cut mine 

 this year three times. It is not equal to wild oats for hay, but with 

 free use with grain it is sufficient. For milch cows it is superior to any 

 other hay; it excites the secretions. To make good hay it should have 

 been in bloom at least ten days before cutting. 



" When it is grazed by cattle and sheep it sometimes gives them the 

 ' hooven,' sometimes called the colic. They swell up quickly and burst 

 within, and death ensues. Cattle are only liable to it when the alfalfa 

 is making a rapid growth in the Spring, and they fill themselves quickly. 

 When it is grazed closely it does not occur. It should receive attention 

 and be cultivated everywhere throughout California, where a suitable 



