106 



ALFALFA— A rROMISlXG FORAGF CROP FOR 

 H Air AIL 



By William H. Meineckk, Class of 1913. 



(Continued. ) 



The (juantity of seed to be sown depends directly upon one of 

 three conditions : 



(1) If the purpose is the production of seed, the planting 

 should be very light, from 5 to 10 pounds per acre being" the 

 general practice. 



(2) The amount of available moisture, whether in the form 

 of natural rainfall or irrigation water, is a very important factor 

 as alfalfa requires a large amount of water. The dryer the re- 

 gion, the thinner the planting should be. The Indiana Station 

 recommends the sowing of 10 to 15 pounds in dry regions. 



( 3 ) Where the conditions are optimum, the method of plant- 

 ini^ is the deciding factor, especially when the purpose is the pro- 

 duction of hay or green fodder. Two methods are generally 

 used, as follows : 



(a) Broad Casting requires from 18 to 30 pounds of seed ])er 

 acre, Thos. Hunt" recommending never less than 20. This is the 

 easier method and is commonly practiced in many parts of the 

 United States and also in Hawaii. However, it is an uneconomic 

 method where there is apt to be an attack of weeds and insects, 

 as it is very difficult to combat these enemies without destroying 

 a large number of the youn<i- ])lants and after cultivation is ini- 

 ])ossible. 



(b) The Drill Method is recommended in ahiKJst ever\- State 

 of the L'nion. This method is not only more economical of seed 

 and secures a more uniform stand, but facilitates the combating 

 of noxious weeds and insects and also cultivation without damag- 

 ing a single plant. From 10 to 20 and even 2.5 and 30 ])ounds 

 of seed per acre is generally recommended by the various experi- 

 ment stations of the mainland, while the C^iUege of Hawaii ex- 

 ]KTimental plots yielded verv well at the rale of 15 pounds of seed 

 ])cr acre. The Molokai Kancli found 14 (piarts or about 2? 

 pounds ])er acre very successful. 



An ordinary seed planter with an adjustment for onion seed 

 will answer every purpose if handled judiciously. An excellent 

 planter worthy of high recommendation is the "Planet jr." for 

 small fields. This tool has adjustable parts and may be used as a 

 l)lanter for any kind of seed up to corn and is also a very satis- 

 factory cultivator for alfalfa. It is light, strong and easily 

 handled, and is csj)ccially suited to rows one foot apart. 



The distance apart of the rows seems to be generally one foot. 



• Forage and l*'il)iT Crops in Hawaii. 



