HAY AND PASTURE CROPS 



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vide the bacteria artificially. This may be done in several 

 ways. The most common way is to apply a few hundred 

 pounds of soil from an old alfalfa field to the newly seeded 

 field. This must be done without exposing the soil handled 

 very much to the sunlight, as the sun will quickly destroy 

 the bacteria. The United States Department of Agri- 

 culture will furnish the bacteria free in a small bottle, 

 together with instructions for using. This is a very easy 

 way of making sure that the proper bacteria are present. 



Figure 48. — Cutting a field of alfalfa. 



Cutting. — Alfalfa may be cut two or more times each 

 year according to soil, climate and degree of development 

 desired. It should be cut when the shoots representing the 

 new growth have started. This stage is easily determined 

 by looking at the plants near the ground. If at any time the 

 crop begins to turn yellow, it is advisable to cut it, as it will 

 make no further growth of value until cut. 



Curing the Hay. — Alfalfa hay, like clover hay, is quite 

 hard to cure in the parts of the country where there is likely 

 to be rain. Most of the alfalfa is growing in the semi- 

 arid or irrigated sections where there is little rain to bother. 

 In the states where clover is grown, alfalfa hay is handled 

 in about the same way as clover hay; that is, it is cut when 



