ALFALFA 



111 



where alfalfa is seeded in the spring, it is sown very early, 

 and often with oats. 



Good Drainage. — The field selected for alfalfa should 

 be well drained and no water should stand near the surface. 

 The roots naturally run down very deep (Fig. 55a), and they 

 cannot stand free water at all. A field rich enough and well 

 enough drained to produce good corn or oats will do for 

 alfalfa. A small application of fertilizer will help to start 

 the crop off well. 



lu. .35a. — Xodules or tubercles on alfalfa, showing the characteristic location 

 on fine fibrous roots. 



Fig. 556. — Students studying the nodules on alfalfa roots. (Agricultural Edu- 

 cation.) 



Cut Four Times a Year. — Do not cut the crop the first 

 fall but allow it to stand until the next May or June before 

 the first cutting is made. That season and each following 

 year the crop should be cut four times (Fig. 56). There are 

 two signs to follow in deciding when to cut any growth of 

 alfalfa. First, never let it get too far along in the blossom 

 stage. Cut it when the blossoms are just showing a little 

 over the field. The second indication of the cutting stage 

 is the slight starting of the buds on the sides of the stems at 

 the surface of the ground. The new growth starting from 

 those buds means that the crop must be cut and removed 



