522 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



in the opposite direction, making rows running both ways, encouraging 

 a thick stand. 



VABIETIE8. 



There are many varieties of alfalfa and indications point to the fact 

 that in time every section will have a variety successful under local condi- 

 tions, but at the present time throughout the corn belt Turkestan and 

 Grimm varieties are most generally used. They can be secured from all 

 reliable seed dealers. In choosing seed it is always advisable to select 

 that which has been raised under conditions as nearly identical as pos- 

 sible with those under which it is expected to grow. 



Close attention to details will insure an excellent stand of alfalfa. 

 "With little or no interference from weeds it will grow vigorously follow- 

 ing the fall rains which seldom fail to appear during the latter part of 

 August and September. Crops should stand six or eight inches high by 

 the time the ground freezes. This should not be cut but allowed to pro- 

 tect the roots from being killed during the winter and spring. 



Thus far the process has been simple. Few will fail to secure a stand 

 the first year. Far more careless methods will answer and up to this 

 point those who do not take the trouble to inoculate the soil will succeed 

 as well as those who do. The perplexing question, now that all pros- 

 pects for a successful alfalfa field are so apparent, is, will it survive? Is 

 not an acre of alfalfa that will yield annually from $75 to $100 and place 

 in the soil much valuable fertility worthy of as much intelligent care 

 and work as an acre of corn that will yield $25 to $30, at the same time 

 taking from the soil much valuable fertility? 



It is generally conceded that throughout the corn belt systematic crop 

 rotation is essential. In order for any perennial crop such as alfalfa 

 to fit into an approved system it should be plowed up at the end of two 

 to four years. 



At the present time those who are succesful enough to perpetuate from 

 year to year an alfalfa field dislike to destroy it, fearing difficulty and 

 dreading the expense of securing another. A knowledge of the plant, and 

 its habits, makes the securing of a stand so simple and certain that the 

 time is not far distant when farmers will consider it a pleasure to plow 

 up the older field, the place of which is already taken by a newer. They 

 will realize that breaking up alfalfa sod is one of the chief advantages 

 of raising alfalfa. The power the plant has through the bacteria which 

 grow on the roots of placing nitrogen into the soil makes it possible to 

 grow from 10 to 20 bushels more corn per acre following the growth of 

 alfalfa than prior to seeding. 



One of the most prevalent excuses for not raising alfalfa in the corn 

 belt is that, after it has grown on one area for three or four years, blue 

 grass crowds it out. Little does he who makes the excuse realize that 

 in doing so blue grass has proven a blessing in disguise. All that is 

 necessary is to carefully prepare another field and eventually the whole 

 farm or all portions of it suitable to growing this valuable legume will be 

 so thoroughly inoculated that alfalfa will be easier to grow by far than 

 clo\er is today. 



