108 



double rows eight inches apart with a cultivated space of twenty- 

 four inches between being used. This method has proved a de- 

 cided success with pineapples in Hawaii, and is undoubtedly 

 worthy of a few trials. 



The Time of Seeding. Owing to the prevalence of cut worms. 

 :he fall months are safest for seeding alfalfa in Hawaii : August, 

 ■".. rember and October being the months recommended by the 

 ::. -r successful growers. The seeds will grow well at any season 

 of the year but the prevalence of cut worms is the only limiting 

 factor where moisttu^e conditions are favorable. 



Treatment after the Crop is Established. Replanting is very 

 •ften practiced and is to be highly recommended, as it fills in the 

 ^aps which would otherwise be occupied by weeds and also re- 

 sults in a more uniform stand. 



C>nce the crop is established, it needs ver\- little attention. If 

 properly spaced it will cover almost the entire space and will 

 thus keep down the weeds till the crop is harvested. Where irri- 

 gation is necessan.-. it should be done immediately following the 

 harvest. A single heav\- irrigation is better than two light ones, 

 but one should be careful not to irrigate too heavily on hea^"y 

 s-Mls. Light cultivation immediately after har\-esting to form a 

 good mulch helps greatly in the preservation of moisture and in 

 destro}"ing what few weeds there may be in the soil and also 

 helps the crop generally. 



The most economical practice is to irrigate if at all as soon 

 as the crop is off the field and then cultivate lightly as soon after 

 as the land is in condition to form a good mulch. Xo other treat- 

 ment is necessan.- if the seed bed has been properly prepared. 



According to the Hawaii Station Bulletin 23, "The amount of 

 water used varies isreatly in different localities and by different 

 growers. On the low sandy and gravelly soils of the lee side 

 of Oahu, weekly floodings ranging from 50.000 gallons to more 

 than twice that amount per acre, are found necessary- during dn>- 

 weather. On the more retentive mauka lands, as at Moanalua, 

 50.000 gallons and less applied fortnightly is found ample." 



Hanesting. Different varieties of alfalfa mature anywhere 

 from 18 to 30 days and even longer. In the central part of the 

 United States. 3 to 4 crops are harvested annually while Cali- 

 fornia generally harvests from 4 to 8 crops annually. Here in 

 Hawaii, the common variety will produce 8 to 12 crops per an- 

 num, while the .Arabian will produce about 18. since it is an earlier 

 maturing variet>-. Covering a period of 18 months, there has 

 been produced on the College farm an average of about 13 crops 

 per annum. 



Ordinarily the field is ready for harvesting when about one- 

 tenth to one- fourth of it is in bloom, or when the lower leaves 

 begin to wilt and turn yellow. Many varieties do not bloom Veil 

 and may even start the new growth before the appearance of 

 blossoms ; such varieties are ready for the sickle as soon as the 



