Alfalfa for New York 



1979 



Many successful alfalfa growers have used from 200 to 300 pounds of 

 acid phosphate per acre with very good results. It is worthy of careful 

 trial. 



alfalfa seed growing 



Usually the second crop, and sometimes the third, is used for seed. 

 Dry weather is required during the blooming period to secure a set of 

 alfalfa seed, and Jul}- is the month when the proper weather conditions 

 are most likely to occur. In New York, however, it is seldom that a 

 good seed crop can be se- 

 cured, and it is not to be 

 expected oftener than once 

 in three or four years. 

 The seed is harvested very 

 much as is clover seed ; as 

 soon as the alfalfa is cured, 

 it is threshed, either from 

 the field or from the stack. 



alfalfa enemies 

 Dodder 



The effect of dodder in 

 alfalfa fields is shown l)y 

 the appearance of dead 

 areas near the margin of 

 which is a tangled mass 

 of slender yellowish cords 

 entwined about the alfalfa 

 plants. Infested spots 

 should be closely mowed, 

 the stubble sprinkled with 

 kerosene, covered with dry 

 hay, and burned. Seed 

 free from dodder shoxild 

 be used. Samples of seed 

 may be sent to the Geneva 

 Experiment Station for 

 examination. A 20x20 

 mesh sieve made of No. 34 wire will remove the dodder from alfalfa seed, 

 if care is taken to screen a small amount of seed at a time. 



Leaf spot 

 Leaf spot causes the leaves to become spotted and yellow, and to fall 

 prematurely. Affected field§ should be tnpwed early in order to save a.^ 



Fig. 156. — Alfalfa dodder, showing its habit of growth 



