CUTTING THE ALFALFA 221 



Before clipping, however, examine the little 

 alfalfa plants to see whether bnds have started 

 near the ground. If these buds are just burst- 

 ing into leaf, clip the alfalfa at once. Do not 

 clip it before the buds start. Do not cut the 

 alfalfa for hay or any other purpose before these 

 buds have formed close to the earth. To cut it 

 before the buds appear may very seriously set it 

 back, and may possibly kill young alfalfa. To 

 leave alfalfa uncut will also very seriously weaken 

 it, and may result in its death. However, the 

 first season it should be permitted to grow as 

 long as it is vigorous. There should always be 

 left a growth of at least a foot to protect the 

 crowns in winter. 



Alfalfa should be cut when about one -quarter 

 of the plants are in blossom, whether the growth 

 is short or tall, unless a seed-crop is desired. If 

 left until fully blossomed, the quality of the prod- 

 uct is reduced; besides, the plants are injured and 

 subsequent crops are smaller. On rich lands, two 

 crops are sometimes secured the first summer 

 from spring seeding, but on poor lands or in a 

 dry season, no crop can be expected until the 

 second year. 



Yield of alfalfa 



The yield on established fields will vary accord- 

 ing to the character of the land, thickness of 



