TRANSACTIONS OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 109 



rods); but I have always found them too wide for the equal and easy- 

 distribution of water. The water would stand over parts of the block 

 longer than necessary before it could be forced over other parts. Con- 

 sequently, the water is not equally distributed, some parts receiving 

 more than is necessary and other parts not receiving enough. 



Amount of Seed Required. — The amount of seed sown is not a matter 

 of so great importance as the manner of sowing and covering. Nothing 

 heavier than a horse rake, lightly run over the ground, should be used. 

 A brush, or a considerable bunch of brush, fastened together, answers 

 the purpose well. All that is wanted is to imbed the seed somewhat in 

 the fine dirt on the immediate surface. It does not matter much if 

 much of the seed remains in sight. Indeed, if the sowing is followed by 

 a heavy rain or by flooding the ground, so as to insure a moist surface 

 for four or five days, it is all right without any covering at all. Two 

 years ago I sowed a block, and when about half of it was lightly cov- 

 ered a heavy rain drove us in. I never had a finer stand, the uncovered 

 part being just as good as that which had been covered. 



Thus treated, ten pounds to the acre will make a very thick stand — 

 even more than is needed. I once sowed ten pounds to the acre on one- 

 half a ten-acre tract and seven pounds per acre on the other half ; and 

 after it came up no one could have told the difference. It was all 

 abundantly thick. Then, if you cover very lightly as above, or see 

 that the ground is wet by rain or by flooding, ten pounds of seed per 

 acre is the greatest plenty. But if one insists on covering with a heavy 

 harrow, or an ordinary cultivator, as grain is covered, a heavy invest- 

 ment in seed will be required, as a very small part of the seed sown will 

 ever send a plant to the surface. 



Cutting and Irrigating. — After sowing and seeing that the ground is 

 properly wet, nothing further will be required until the ground needs 

 irrigation. But when the alfalfa gets six or eight inches high it should 

 be mowed. This will check the weeds and cause the alfalfa to branch 

 and to grow with much greater vigor than if left uncut. 

 ■ Through the first season the ground should have a good flooding 

 after each cutting, and oftener if needed. It will grow all the faster if 

 flooded once in every three or four weeks. If sown in the winter or 

 early spring, the first season ought to make three or four tons per acre, 

 if properly cared for. However, the first season's crop will vary greatly 

 on different soils — much more than in following years. 



Making Hay. — It is well to begin cutting quite early in the spring, 

 especially if one has a good deal to cut, but no definite date can be 

 given, as the seasons vary greatly. It is a mistake to wait for the 

 alfalfa to become large and show signs of blossoming. By cutting the 



