264 Practical Farming 



very useful practice to apply in the early spring before 

 growth starts, about twenty bushels per acre of freshly 

 water-slaked lime, and then run a smoothing harrow over 

 to completely spread it among the plants. Alfalfa, like 

 most legumes, is greatly benefited by an apphcation of 

 lime occasionally. 



After sowing the seed, run a weeder over the land to 

 cover them about an inch, but do not roll the land unless 

 it is very dry. In the preparation of the land, a good 

 application of commercial fertilizer will give the plants a 

 start that will greatly promote the chances of a good stand. 



The first mowing should be made as soon as a few 

 blossoms show here and there. If you wait till in full 

 bloom, the second growth will be lighter, for blossoming 

 is a weakening process to the plant. The crops can be 

 mown twice and perhaps three times the first year, and 

 thereafter, if the fertihty of the soil is kept up by annual 

 top-dressings, you can mow it three to four times a season. 



Rake and cock the hay as advised for clover, and store 

 it while still somewhat Hmp, for if too dry you will lose 

 the leaves, which as one grower says, are equal to wheat 

 bran for feeding. Being a perennial plant, alfalfa will 

 last many years if the soil is well fed. After three or four 

 years it is a good practice to disk the crop over in spring, 

 thus spHtting some of the crowns and loosening the soil 

 and greatly benefiting the growth. Several new varieties 

 of alfalfa have been introduced, but are still in the ex- 

 perimental stage. 



„, „ . ^ The Soja or Soy Bean is a leguminous 



The Soja Bean , i , , . , , 



plant that has been mtroduced from Japan, 



and in some of its many varieties has found favor with 



