T28 Grasses and Leguminous Crops in New Tork 



the lime into the soil while fitting the seed bed, but it probably 

 will be equally or more effective, in case of land that is in a culti- 

 vated state the previous season, tO' apply the lime with the' previous 

 crop. Lime acts slowly, and it may be well to have it on the land 

 some time before the alfalfa is sown. Whether burned lime or 

 ground rock should be used is altogether a question of expense, 

 remembering that one ton of quick lime is equal in efficiency to 

 about twO' tons of ground rock. 



weeds 

 Weeds are serious troubles in alfalfa growing. In fitting 

 alfalfa land, every opportunity should be used to destroy successive 

 crops of germinating weeds by repeated harrowings at intervals 

 of ten days or two weeks. This is another important reason for 

 plowing the land a considerable time before the seeding is to be 

 done. 



time of seeding 



The time of seeding is very much influenced by the weed situa- 

 tion. If the land is clean, there is no better time than in the 

 spring, just about early corn-planting time, but spring seeding 

 is much more affected by weeds than late seeding ; it has therefore 

 come to be quite a general practice to seed in early August. I am 

 of the opinion that late July is better than August. It certainly 

 is better than late August. Seeded in July or August, there is 

 good opportunity to clean the land and the weeds do not interfere 

 very much before they are cut by frost. The next spring, being 

 already well established, the alfalfa takes the land before the 

 weeds start. 



METHOD OF SEEDING 



In the favored alfalfa sections the crop is seeded with a grain 

 crop in the same manner as clover. Undei* less favorable condi- 

 tions it is best to seed it alone. The seed may be sown broadcast 

 by hand or with the ordinary grain drill and lightly harrowed 

 in, or it mav be drilled in with one of the new clover and alfalfa 

 drills. These drills are especially helpful when seeding in fall- 

 sown wheat. In this case the surface is usually somewhat crusted, 

 so that seed scattered on the surface does not become covered suf- 

 ficiently to insure full germination. The drill secures a light, 

 uniform covering that usually results in full germination. 



