40* 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2 GEORGE V., A. 1912 



Rotation Tests, 1910. 



ALFALFA. 



Three strains of alfalfa were sown in 1904, nine strains in 1905, six strains 

 in 1908, and thirty-nine strains in 1909. Those living last spring and producing crops 

 are given, with yields. The first cutting in all cases was fairly good. A few varieties 

 of the 1909 seeding gave extra large yields, chiefly from being in low. places where the 

 soil was more moist than in the other cases. The second cutting in all varieties was 

 light, on account of the protracted dry hot weather after the first cutting was made. 



I repeat what was said in my 1910 report respecting alfalfa growing, and add a 

 few pointers as to the most suitable land, cultivation, seeding, cutting, curing, etc. 



It is found from previous tests that a great deal depends on the first season's 

 growth, whether alfalfa prove hardy or not. If it enters the winter with small roots, 

 and the top has been eaten bare, it is sure to succumb. On the other hand, if the roots 

 have taken a good hold, and a good growth has been left to protect the crown, the crop 

 is reasonably safe. If added to this, the precaution is taken not to pasture too closely 

 or too late in the fall, there is no reason to doubt of its entire success. The course 

 pursued on this Farm which has given the best result is, to plough stubble land late 

 in May, four or five inches deep; then harrow once. After harrowing, ten to twelve 

 lbs. seed per acre is sown with a wheelbarrow grass seeder. When sown, the land is 

 harrowed, rolled and again harrowed. The rolling firms the soil, and leaves the sur- 

 face in good condition for the mower, and the last harrowing prevents evaporation. 



The seed is sown without a nurse crop, and when the plants are sufficiently high, 

 the mower is run close to the ground, to kill weeds and cause the roots to take a better 

 hold. This is repeated up to the end of July, and after that all growth is left for 

 winter protection. 



It has been found, when a nurse crop has been grown, that the plants are weakly, 

 even if not badly killed out by the grain using up all the moisture in August. If they 

 survive after the grain is harvested, as a rule the weather is too dry for them to make 

 satisfactory root or top growth, and they are not in a condition to stand the thaws 

 and frosts of April and early May. 



cultivation, seeding and harvesting of alfalfa. 



Alfalfa can be sown on fallowed land or on stubble land. 



Fallow. — If fallow lands drift with the winds, plough four inches deep before seed- 

 ing to overcome the danger. 



