THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



67 



and other sweet-loving insects, l)ut tliey would be wholly inadequate in 

 our great fields of alfalfa. 



The early cutting may be selected for seed, but I prefer the third or 

 fourth. Then we liave more bees to cross pollinate and more warmth 

 and sunshine to ((uickly cure the freshly cut 

 plants. There are also less weeds, which should 

 be wholly absent. The plants must show health, 

 but should not be too luxuriant, as that goes 

 with scarcity of seeds. Having selected the 

 field that is not overcrowded with plants, we 

 wait until two thirds to three fourths of the 

 pods are ])rown, as then more of the seeds arc 

 bright yellow. The less mature will be olive 

 green and less plump. The green seeds \v\U 

 grow well, and if tlie hay is cut at this time, 

 there will be little loss. 



A mowing machine that bunches, or one with 

 a side delivery, is desirable, as raking is at- 

 tended with too much shelling and loss of seed. 

 If the hay is left in windrows it should be 

 carefully bunched. The bunches should be of a 

 size to ])ermit of being lifted at a single forkful. 

 The barley fork is best to use. The bunches 

 can remain in the field until the hay is 

 thoroughly cured. There need be no anxiety, 

 as we have no summer rains. I^sually in two 

 days th(^ bunches can be drawn to stack, barn or 

 threshei-. Canvas spread over the wagon rack 

 and under where the unloading occurs will 

 save nuu'h seed. Every caution must be ob- 

 served to save the seed. Cutting before too 

 ripe, drawing- before too dry and brittle, and 

 handling with the least possible jar. 



Threshing may bo done very rapidly by use 

 of a threshing machine with a huller attach- 

 ment, though a huller saves more seed, which 

 compensates for the longer time required. xV 

 speeial huller is desirable and will .«oon pay for 

 itself. In case of a small acreage if a huller is 

 not to be had several growers may well combine 

 to purchase one. 



The time to sell the seed is in spring or fall 

 when the demand insures a good price. It is 

 wise to raise and sell only clean, first-class seed. 

 It has been found that plants grown in drills, 

 three feet apart, irrigated in furrows and cul- 

 tivated often, pay well. Weed-free seeds and 

 vigorous, but not too stalky, plants from care- 

 fully selected seed will soon establish a reputa- 

 tion that will insure a good market at highest 

 prices. 



Fig. 14. — Vigorous tap- 

 root of alfalfa. (After 

 N. E. Hansen.) 



