28 



CIRCULAR NO. 115, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 



Its chief value for the purpose here desired is its early, vigorous 

 growth. In a pure stand, however, it has maintained a fair growth 

 since it Avas planted in 1909. 



ALFALFA. 



Alfalfa has proved very satisfactory as a covering for canal banks, 

 especially when planted in mixtures with some species of grass. The 

 growth during the first season is fairly rapid, the roots strike deep 

 and soon reach the seepage water present in the lower depths of the 

 soil, and the forage produced is of first-rate value. Alfalfa does not 



Fig. 2. — Alfalfa on a canal bank, with western wheat-grass crowding in near the water's 



edge. 



stand close grazing and excessive trampling so well as do some of the 

 grasses, but when planted with a vigorous grass, such as brome- 

 grass, it makes a good covering. Pocket gophers have given some 

 trouble by eating off the roots of alfalfa plants, but this is not likely 

 to prove a serious drawback to the use of alfalfa on the ditch banks. 

 Where seed of a hardy strain can be obtained, alfalfa may be recom- 

 mended for use in a mixture with grasses (fig. 2). 



REDTOP. 



Redtop (Agrostis alba) makes a good growth where an abundance 

 of moisture is available, but is not at all drought resistant. It may 



[Cir. 115] 



