790 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



AMOUNT OF SEED AND METHOD OF SOWING. 



The seed may be sown broadcast or with a grain drill. The drill 

 has the advantage of distributing the seed more evenly over the surface 

 than is likely to be the case with hand sowing and of placing the seed 

 at a uniform depth. It has the disadvantage of placing the seed too 

 deep unless special precautions are taken. If drilling is employed in 

 moist soil the shoes should barely touch the soil. The seed is then 

 covered sufficiently by the chain, wheel, or other accessory that follows 

 the shoe. 



Where alfalfa is sown broadcast it is best to use a mechanical sower, 

 such as a wheelbarrow seeder, as the seed is distributed more evenly. 

 The seed should be well harrowed in, or it may be cover by means 

 of a plank drag. 



The amount of seed usually recommended is 20 pounds per acre 

 when sown broadcast, and a less quantity (about 15 pounds) when 

 sown with a drill. If the seed is of good quality, the soil in fine tilth, 

 and the conditions for germination are favorable, less than 20 pounds 

 may suffice. Under exceptional conditions successful stands have been 

 obtained with 5 or 6 pounds. Some growers use more than 20 pounds even 

 30 or 35 pounds, but this amount seems excessive, and should be used only 

 when necessary to counteract the effect of poorly prepared soil or other 

 unfavorable conditions. Although a thick stand may be an advantage 

 in choking out weeds, yet for the development and subsequent vigor of 

 the plants, it is better lo have a thinner but uniform stand. The individ- 

 ual plants then have room to develop a strong crown with the accompany- 

 ing extensive root system. 



TREATMENT OF AN ALFALFA FIELD THE FIRST SEASON. 



During the first season following spring sowing the field should be 

 clipped with a moving machine at intervals to keep down weeds, if the 

 latter show a tendency to choke out the alfalfa. If this is not necessary 

 and the alfalfa has made a vigorous growth, a light crop of hay may be 

 obtained, or under favorable conditions even a second crop. Usually, 

 however, returns can not be expected the first season from spring sowing, 

 without irrigation, except in the South. In irrigated districts one of 

 even two or three crops may be obtained the first season. Some growers 

 pasture during the fall after seeding. This is not to be recommended as 

 it almost always injuries the stand either by trampling or the close 

 grazing. When alfalfa is sown in the spring with a nurse crop no atten- 

 tion may be necessary after cutting the grain except to clip the weeds if 

 these become troublesome. In clipping to keep down weeds the cutter 

 bar of the mover should be set high, as the seedling plants are injured 

 by close clipping. 



It is very important, praticularly in the Northern States, to allow 

 alfalfa to go into the winter with a good growth — at least six inches high 

 If cut to late in the fall to grow a good winter covering it is very apt to 

 suffer from winter killing. 



