42 



The Bulletin. 



high, and clip the plants back to a height of three or four inches. This 

 treatment will not only tend largely to keep the weeds and grass in sub- 

 jection, but will also stimulate a stronger and more vigorous growth of 

 the young plants as well as produce a branching of the old stems and 

 multiplying of new steins of the same plant. If the clippings are light 

 they may be left on the ground to protect and improve the soil. 



Fig. 26. — Mature dodder plant on alfalfa stem. 

 U. S. Bulletin No. 339. 



If, however, the alfalfa continues to grow and keep green and vigor- 

 ous, do not clip, but allow it to come into bloom and cut for hay. Do 

 not wait for it to come into full bloom, but cut when from one-fourth 

 to half the stalks show bloom. The quality of the hay from the early 

 cutting is better than if allowed to come into full bloom. The crop can 

 be cut from three to five times a year according to locality and seasons. 

 It is not advisable to cut so late in the fall as to not allow a sufficient 

 growth to protect the crowns of the plants from the cold weather. It 

 is usually safe to not cut it after September, except in the warmer sec- 

 tions of the State, and there, not later than the middle of October. 



After the first cutting alfalfa may be cut as often as the plant sends 



