THE HAY CROP 



,151 



cows and for fattening hogs, lambs, and ,cattle. 

 The Soil and Crops. Alfalfa has a long tap-root 

 which reaches down deeper than any other farm 

 crop, often being twelve feet long (Fig. 84). Thus, 

 you see, alfalfa needs a well-drained soil. It thrives 

 wonderfully in dry regions. It continues to grow 

 throughout the warm season. In Canada they cut 



Fig. 82. Horse power is cheaper than human labor. 



three crops of it in one season, while in Arizona 

 eight cuttings are often harvested. 



How to Start Alfalfa. Alfalfa is not a successful 

 crop on poor land. If the land is not rich enough, a 

 heavy coat of manure may be necessary. In many 

 ])laces east of the Mississippi River lime is needed to 

 give alfalfa a start. About twenty-five pounds of 

 seed are sown to the acre in the East, but much less 

 is used in the West. It is best to sow alfalfa in the 

 late summer or early fall. It is sometimes seeded 



