FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 471 



not thrive with its roots in standing water. Lands subject to overflow are 

 unfit for alfalfa. As a rule alfalfa should never be put on low bottom lands 

 where grasses naturally do well, because the situation is likely to be too wet. 

 High situations are therefore preferable. The only high lands not suited to 

 alfalfa are those having either hardpan or a very gravelly subsoil. 



Alfalfa does not reach its best development until three or more years old. 

 For this reason the situation selected for its growth should be one in which 

 it can be left for a number of years. For the same reason the crop is not 

 suited to an ordinary rotation. 



SEEDING. 



The soil for alfalfa must be free of weed seeds, and a fine, deep seed bed 

 must be provided. Alfalfa plants while young are delicate and easily 

 smothered by weeds. Clean culture is therefore necessary. The seeds are 

 small and must have a fine seed-bed in order that germination and early 

 growth may be facilitated. Since the crop is to remain in the same situation 

 for a number of years it will pay well to give careful attention to the prepa- 

 ration of the soil. A full stand of plants is essential and to secure that, as 

 well as a strong early growth, a good seed bed is necessary. This point can 

 not be too strongly emphasized. A good seed bed can usually be prepared 

 after corn or some other cultivated crop that has been kept clean. 



The time of seeding alfalfa does not seem to be very important so long 

 as there is sufficient moisture to give the plants a good start. Usually, 

 however, it will be best to sow some time before corn planting in order that 

 the plants may develop a good root system before dry weather begins. 

 After it is once well established the crop can stand very severe droughts 



The seed may be sown either alone or with about a half seeding of oats 

 or beardless barley. Where the ground is free of weed seeds it will usually 

 be best to sow alone, but where weeds are likely to be troublesome a nurse 

 crop should be used. In either case about twenty pounds of good seed per 

 acre should be used. The seed may be sown broadcast and covered with a 

 light harrow. If a nurse crop is used this may be drilled in the ordinary 

 way and the alfalfa sown on top and lightly covered with a harrow or 

 weeder. 



The nurse crop should be cut for hay soon after it heads out, so as to 

 give the alfalfa full possession of the soil before the hot weather sets in. If 

 the nurse crop is allowed to mature the alfalfa will be shaded too long and 

 will not develop sufficient strength to bear the sudden exposure to hot 

 weather. In several instances successful stands of alfalfa have been secured 

 by sowing in standing corn at the time of the last cultivation. 



INOCULATION. 



Alfalfa, like all other legumes, requires, for its proper development a 

 certain species of bacteria to work upon its roots and gather for it nitrogen 

 from the atmosphere. If these bacteria are not present, the alfalfa will have 

 to depend for its nitrogen upon the supply in the soil, which is usually not 

 sufficient to insure a thrifty growth. In nearly all cases where alfalfa is 

 grown for the first time inoculation is necessary and should not be neglected. 



