376 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



other causes. After working the seed-bed to a tine, firm condition 

 it should be inoculated with the alfalfa-bacteria by drilling in about 

 two bushels of soil taken from an old alfalfa field. This will be 

 absolutely necessary to secure a satisfactory stand from the first 

 seeding. The cultures prepared for this purpose have not always 

 brought the results intended; and since the alfalfa soil can readily 

 be procured at small cost, this is the surest and most economical 

 procedure. Let these three applications be remembered as the 

 supreme essentials to the successful production of alfalfa — stable 

 manure, lime and inoculated soil. 



The time of sowing the seed may xarj from the last of April in 

 the southern half of the State and the middle of May in the north- 

 ern half, to the middle of July or first of August. Where the soil 

 is reasonably clear of weed seed the earlier date is preferable. 

 Where this is not the case the ground should be cultivated fre- 

 quently to destroy the weeds and save the moisture until midsum- 

 mer. Twenty to twenty-five pounds of seed per acre in most of the 

 fields of this State has been found by experience to bo about the 

 right quantity w^hich, as a rule, should be sown without the so- 

 called ''nurse crop." I have practiced both methods, and while on 

 the more weedy portions of the field the nurse crop seemed to check 

 the growth of weeds somewhat, it also appeared to check the growth 

 of the alfalfa as well. Sown alone it proved much more vigorous 

 and plentiful. When the ground is dry, or on a sandy loam, it 

 should be rolled after sowing the seed and then lightly harrowed, 

 or what is better, worked with a weeder. 



In about six weeks or less from the seeding time the plant will 

 attempt to go to seed. When the firf;t blossoms appear the crop 

 must be clipped. If allowed to run up to seed now it will be ruined. 

 In about the same length of time it will again begin to bloom, when 

 it must receive the same treatment. If sown in the spring it will 

 also need a third clipping in September. These clippings will not 

 only prevent its seeding, but will discourage the w^eeds, mulch the 

 soil and increase the root development. In the second 3'ear the 

 cutting of the crop of hay will be done at about the same periods 

 at which the clippings were made, when we expect a half crop or 

 more, a full crop being secured the third year. 



Should fine grass appear among tae plants after the first 3'ear, it 

 may be largely destroyed by disking- or running over the field with 

 a spike-tooth harrow. This should be done just after cutting the 

 first crop early in the summer, anc will not only largely destroy the 

 grass, but will greatly benefit the alfalfa bj^ loosening up the soil 

 and preserving moisture. Sometimes, without any obvious cause, 

 the leaves will turn yellow and b/'gin to fall, tlie plants threatening 

 to die out. It should then be mowed off; after this it will fre- 

 quently grow up rapidly and ass jme a healthy appearance. Should 

 this feebleness manifest itself early in the life of the plant, and not 

 yield to clipping, one or more of four causes may be suspected, 

 either the roots have reached an impervious subsoil or stagnant 

 water, or the soil is lacking in lime or bacteria. The discovery of 

 the cause will indicate the remedy. 



It must be remembered that the production of alfalfa in Penn- 

 sylvania is yet in the experimental stage, though there are many 



