32 DRY-LAND GEAINS IN THE GREAT BASIN, 



Considerable of the work with forage crops has been conducted in 

 cooperation with the Office of Forage-Crop Investigations of the 

 Bureau of Plant Industry. 



ALFALFA. 



The substation has tested three varieties of alfalfa — Turkestan, 

 sand lucern, and common Utah alfalfa. The Utah variety has 

 usually given the best results, although very little difference was 

 noticeable in the three varieties, either in vegetative habits or yield. 

 The average yield of the Utah variety during the past six years has 

 been about 3,000 pounds per acre in the first crop. The second 

 crop has not produced enough forage to pay for cutting, but some 

 pasturage has been furnished. Fall planting proved a failure. Plant- 

 ing in late April or early May has been very successful. A well- 

 prepared seed bed is imperative, and when this is obtained it is advis- 

 able to plant as soon after a rain as the soil can be worked without 

 puddling. If the seed bed is in the proper condition and good seed 

 is used, 4 to 6 pounds of seed to the acre is sufficient, and it should be 

 planted with a press drill. The use of oats or any other grass as a 

 nurse crop is not advisable. 



Spring harrowing is very effective in preventing the growth of 

 cheat (June-grass) and other weeds, in destroying insect pests, and 

 in conserving the soil moisture. If the ordinary harrow is followed 

 with a brush harrow the lumps of soil which frequently are a disad- 

 vantage in cutting can be largely eliminated. The use of a dislj: har- 

 row on the fields during the early spring every year or two has given 

 good results. 



The crop should be cut about June 15 ordinarily, depending on the 

 moisture conditions and the crop's stage of maturity. Care should 

 be taken to cut the crop before the plants shrink because of drought 

 and before the plants become tough. The hay should be raked and 

 piled immediately after cutting. If a buncher is attached to the 

 mower excellent results are obtained. The hay can be placed in the 

 barn or stack after it has cured for about three days. 



Alfalfa see(Z.— Experiments in alfalfa-seed production are being 

 conducted at the substation. The most promising results are being 

 obtained from the alfalfa planted in rows and intertilled. These 

 experiments have not been carried on long enough to warrant definite 

 conclusions, but the results indicate that seed production is likely 

 to become one of the most profitable dry-land industries. A great 

 many difficulties are encountered in producing alfalfa seed, and it is 

 the object of the experiments at the substation to find means of over- 

 coming these obstacles." 



oSee Circular 24 of the Bureau of Plant Industry for a' detailed discussion of the 

 production of alfalfa peed in rows. 

 ICir. 61] 



