80 PRACTICAL CORN CULTURE 



covered to a depth of one-half to one inch by a light 

 harrowing. 



We have never sown alfalfa seed with a nurse crop and 

 are inclined to believe the results would be unsatisfactory. 

 If the seed was sown in the spring it would, of course, be 

 necessary to use a nurse crop of some kind to keep down 

 weeds until the alfalfa could get a start; but spring sowing 

 of alfalfa has not been so successful as fall sowing in 

 Illinois and Iowa. 



Alfalfa should be cut when from one-third to one-half 

 the blooms are out, or just after the new shoots have come 

 out at the base. It should never be cut until after the new 

 shoots have started. To cut before means a very weak suc- 

 ceeding crop. If there is a considerable growth in the fall 

 it should be either pastured or clipped before winter comes 

 on. A light application of manure (with a manure spreader), 

 in December will prevent alfalfa from being winter killed. 

 Remember alfalfa, like corn, is a good money crop if it is 

 properly put in on good fertile soil. Unlike clover, beans 

 and peas, it is not a rotation crop. If a good stand of alfalfa 

 is secured it will pay to leave it for four or five years. 



SWEET CLOVER 



Sweet clover is a deep rooted legume, and is found grow- 

 ing along the roadsides everywhere. No other legume has 

 such a wide range of territory, nor will any other legume 

 grow in as many types of soil or under such varied condi- 

 tions. Because of its hardy nature and wonderful adapta- 

 bility it is considered by most farmers as a weed. It has been 

 only in the last two years that farmers have taken kindly 

 to sweet clover. The majority are still skeptical. Many 

 admit that it is a good nitrogen gatherer but are afraid to 

 give it a place on their farms for fear it will, as they say, 

 "take the farm." 



