640 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4 GEORGE V., A. 1914 

 Preparation of Land. 



The first consideration in the growing of alfalfa is the preparation of the land. 

 Alfalfa does best on a deep, rich, well-drained soil. It takes a plentiful supply of 

 moisture, but cannot stand to have a stagnant flooded condition of the land. In fact, 

 the average Manitoba farm provides soil conditions admirably suited to the growing 

 of alfalfa. The land should be clean before alfalfa is sown. Alfalfa is hardy after 

 it becomes established, but during the first year it needs every chance. It should 

 therefore be sown where the land is reasonably free from weeds, and where the native 

 grasses have been killed out. Following a crop of corn or roots, that has been kept 

 clean, is an ideal place for alfalfa. After a summer-fallow is the best possible place, 

 but as that means two years Tost, it makes it rather an expensive crop to start. It 

 can be sown following a grain crop, if the land is clean and in good fertility. In any 

 case, the land should be well worked so that there is a fine, firm seed bed into which 

 to put the alfalfa seed. 



Inoculation. 



On most of the land in Manitoba, it is found advisable to inoculate. In some of 

 the scrub districts, where the wild pea vine is plentiful, inoculation does not seem 

 tc be required, but in most of the open prairie districts, decided benefits are obtained. 

 The land that has never grown alfalfa seems to lack the bacteria that associate them- 

 selves with it. Inoculation will often gradually take place by itself, but in the 

 meantime, there is a loss of time for the crop and of money for its owner. By 

 artificial inoculation, it may be put on a productive basis from the start. There are 

 two ways of inoculating, viz., by means of a bacterial culture, which may be obtained 

 from some of the agricultural colleges, and by using soil from a field that is already 

 growing alfalfa successfully. The latter means is most commonly used in Manitoba. 

 Most farmers have now got a neighbour within driving distance who has an alfalfa 

 patch from which they can get inoculating soil. Such soil may also be obtained in 

 limited quantities from the Experimental Farm by paying the expenses for shipping. 



It is supplied at the rate of 100 pounds per acre, with a limit of 500 pounds to 

 any one farmer. As one of the railways refuses to accept this material for shipment 

 except when the freight charges are prepaid, it has been decided to collect a uniform 

 rate of 50c. per 100 pom ds, which, when averaged up, will be about sufficient to pay 

 all freight charges inside of Manitoba. For this sum the Experimental Farm will 

 supply bags and pay freight charges to any point within the province. 



Inoculating soil should not be exposed to the light more than is absolutely 

 necessary, and should not be dried out. Either of these conditions kills the bacteria. 

 It should be spread very thinly and evenly over the field and immediately harrowed 

 in. 



Seeding. 



The last week in May or the first week in June is considered the best time to 

 sow. The spring rains have started by that time, and the soil is in a moist, warm 

 condition, suitable for the germination of small seeds. The earlier part oi the 

 season may be used in killing weeds on the land, so as to give the alfalfa a better 

 chance In countries farther south, later sowing is the rule, but that is not advisable 

 here, because a strong vigorous growth is needed to prepare for winter. Twenty 

 pounds of seed per acre is required. It seems a large quantity, but one must 

 remember that alfalfa never thickens up like other forage crops. 



It should always be sown without any nurse crop. There is not enough moisture 

 in the average season to grow a crop of grain and, at the same time, to give the 



