71 Bukeau of Farmers' Institutes. 



Question. — "What is good alfalfa hay worth per ton? 



Mr. Smith. — It is fully as valuable as red clover and is rapidly 

 becoming the favorite hay for many feeders. 



Question. — What soil is best adapted for growing alfalfa? 



Dr. Smead. — The soil should be dry; that is, there should not 

 be soil water present, but there should be moisture, as the plant 

 needs it, while the soil should be in such condition as will give the 

 plant an opportunity to root well. It should be well fitted and 

 the seed sown alone. Do not sow it with any grain crops. Try 

 a little of it and watch results; if favorable, sow more. But do 

 not become discouraged if it does not make a large growth the 

 first year, as the young plants are delicate and look feeble. If it 

 grows and weeds appear, go over the field with a mowing machine 

 and clip the whole mass a few inches above the ground, and leave 

 it for a mulch. The next year, if the alfalfa survives the winter, 

 two or more cuttings may be made. 



Question. — Is it as good as clover for hay? 



Dr. Smead. — It is richer in protein than red clover, and a 

 much larger tonnage can be raised ; but to get the best value it must 

 be cut just as the first blossoms appear, else it will become hard 

 and woody and the leaves will all fall. 



Question. — ■ Where can we get alfalfa seed that will prove re- 

 liable, and what does it cost? 



Mr. Dawley. — It has cost not far from $6 per bushel. Buy 

 the seed from reliable dealers, those who will guarantee it to be 

 clean and pure. Much of the seed we get is imported and is 

 badly adulterated with a small variety of foreign clover which is 

 worthless. 



A Farmer. — Would it not be better to sow oats with alfalfa 

 seed? 



Mr. Smith. — JSTo, sir. The alfalfa needs all the fertility and 

 moisture in the soil. I should not handicap it with any other crop. 

 Give it the entire use of the ground the first vear. 



Question. — How long will alfalfa last when there is a good 

 catch \ 



Mr. Dawley. — That is a long question. I know of one piece of 

 alafalfa that has been annually mowed for 21 years. Last season 

 it was mowed three limes. Another man near me owns three vil- 

 lus, loss than a half acre, on which he annually grows enough 

 alfalfa to feed a milch cow every day in the year. There are many 

 acre- <>f it grown in Onondaga county. Some of the fields are 

 underlaid with limestone. I know a field on which there is not 



