676 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



simply do the best we know, the percentage of alfalfa failures would 

 be much reduced. Some of our growers have failed in their first at- 

 tempts and some fail repeatedly. It cannot be expected that all can be 

 successful with it at once and under all conditions, or without thought 

 or care. 



Many cases of alfalfa failure have no doubt been due to the lack of 

 inoculation. On sour soils, we may add to this the lack of the use of 

 lime. Most of the successful fields are growing where alfalfa has been 

 tried repeatedly, indicating where the methods of culture have been 

 the same that inoculation is beneficial. Most of the unsuccessful fields 

 of the state show a lack of nodules on the roots. On the other hand, 

 in practically all of the successful fields the nodules are present in abun- 

 dance. Alfalfa cannot live without the proper bacteria on its roots, and 

 these bacteria cannot live in sour soil. 



Late seeding has been an important factor as the cause of failure. In 

 this case, the plants do not attain a sufficient growth to withstand 

 the winter, more properly, the heaving and thawing action of the frosts 

 of early spring. Very close pasturing, late pasturing or late cutting, sub- 

 ject the plants to the same results. 



The infiuence of a poor seed bed is to be seen in many thin and weedy 

 stands. The seed may not have germinated properly, due to the im- 

 proper physical condition of the soil and perhaps to the lack of moisture 

 which in too many cases can be traced to the same careless prepara- 

 tion. Oftentimes late crops, followed by prolonged drouths, make it 

 impossible to prepare a satisfactory seed bed. 



Blue grass and fox tail are among the worst enemies of alfalfa. 

 Both can be best controlled by thorough cultivation, preparing the soil 

 early in the season, and giving it frequent cultivation. 



Other causes of failure are poor seed, poor soil and poor drainage. 

 The best seed is none too good; poor soil may be improved by the liberal 

 use of manure and wet land may be drained. But the best and safest 

 method is to sow alfalfa only on soil in a high state of fertility on land 

 which is thoroughly drained and on which the water will not stand 

 while the ground is frozen. Alfalfa cannot stand wet feet or a smothered 

 head. 



At this season of the year the seed bed will need immediate atten- 

 tion. The land that has been selected for alfalfa this spring and on 

 which no crop has been grown will be the most satisfactory, providing 

 it has received frequent and thorough cultivations. Where some crop 

 such as potatoes, early oats or barley is to be removed the soil should 

 be disked well, then disked and harrowed into shape as soon as possible, 

 plowed immediately, manured and, if necessary, limed; before it has 

 lost its moisture and become cloddy. In the case of late oats, it may 

 be necessary to cut a portion for hay. In this connection it is well to 

 remember that at this season of the year the soil loses its moisture 

 very rapidly, hence, immediate cultivation is necessary. To increase the 

 chance of success it is well to begin with the first requirement — a good 

 seed bed. 



