10 FARMERS’ BULLETIN 636, 
through these organizations is, for the most part, well cleaned, so 
that nearly all of the infested seeds are removed before marketing. 
(See fig. 10.) When done on a large scale the cost of cleaning the seed 
is about 40 cents per 100 pounds. In addition to removing the 
infested alfalfa seeds, this process removes the weed seeds, and the 
product will then command the highest market prices. Where it is 
Fig. 10.—An interior view of an alfalfa seed-cleaning plant, where the infested seeds, together with weed 
seeds, are removed before the product is sold for planting. (Original). 
necessary to do the cleaning on the farm, good results may be secured 
by using the proper sieves in a small fanning mill. 
NECESSITY OF ORGANIZED EFFORTS. 
The habits of this insect, together with the general practices of 
alfalfa-seed growers, make it necessary for the growers of each dis- 
trict to cooperate in an effort to control this destructive seed pest. 
While it is important that each farmer do all in his power to reduce 
the abundance of this insect on his own farm, the efforts of an indi- 
vidual are greatly hampered by the negligent habits of a neighbor. 
The rapid distribution from breeding centers of the chalcis-flies and 
the short minimum period required for the development of the adults 
render organized action necessary. 
WASHINGTON ? GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1914 
