588 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



a companion crop for alfalfa since it requires less moisture per pound 

 of dry matter produced than any other grain crop. It must be kept in 

 mind that growing with spring grains at average rates of seeding will 

 hinder rather than help alfalfa, and that it is in spite of the companion 

 crop rather than because of it that good stands are secured when planted 

 with these improperly termed "nurse crops." During dry seasons, cut- 

 ting oats or barley early for hay will greatly benefit the alfalfa seed- 

 ing. A light seeding of grains made with early spring planting may be 

 of greater benefit, however, than weed growth which is likely to occur 

 on seed beds not thoroughly clean. 



Best results can often be secured, though at somewhat greater ex- 

 pense, by working the seed bed thoroughly until late May or early June, 

 and planting without a companion crop. If ground is very weedy or 

 grassy it may be advisable to continue discing and harrowing until late 

 June or mid- July, seeding only when seed bed is fairly free of these xjcsts. 

 Since alfalfa will occupy the land for from four to six years or more, 

 greater expense and time is warranted in preparation than in the case 

 of annual crops. In southern Michigan seedings are made as late as 

 early August, but experiments show that the latter part of July is about 

 the latest date when seedings can be made with safety. In north central 

 and northern Michigan seedings should not be made later than early 

 July. 



Experiments on the Station Plats at East Lansing to determine the 

 effect of seeding at various times with various companion crops has indi- 

 cated that, while successful results can be secured with companion crops, 

 slightly better stands are secured by seeding alfalfa alone. 



Early spring seedings after cultivated crops, either with or without 

 companion crops, have the advantage of an assured supply of moisture 

 for early growth. Seedings made in summer give ample time for thorough 

 preparation of the seed bed. 



SEEDING ALFALFA AFTER EARLY CASH CROPS. 



Such crops as early potatoes, sweet corn and canning peas usually 

 leave the land in excellent condition for seeding alfalfa. After early 

 potatoes the land should be harrowed and rolled before seeding. After 

 peas and sweetcorn the land can be prepared best by discing. If these 

 crops are harvested before late July, alfalfa may be planted with a fair 

 degree of safety. A good return may be secured from the land, and 

 alfalfa seeded the same season. 



Seedings made in early spring with peas at time of planting are also 

 frequently successful. The practice of seeding in standing corn at last 

 cultivation is usually unsatisfactory, but in years when rainfall is plen- 

 tiful after seeding and autumn is favorable, good stands may result. 



Vetch seeded at rate of 10 or 15 pounds at time of seeding alfalfa 

 will give a much greater first cutting than alfalfa alone. The vetch dis- 

 appears after the first cutting. 



