METHODS OF ENRICHING SOIL 221 



that in the East one could nearly predict whether alfalfa 

 would thrive in a field or no by simply watching the 

 plowman as he walked. If behind him blackbirds fol- 

 lowed he might feel sure that alfalfa would succeed; 

 if no blackbirds came he might well doubt. The black- 

 birds follow where there are earthworms. Earthworms 

 are in soils drained and stored with vegetable matter. 

 Where earthworms are bacteria also exist in myriads. 

 If, then, that soil in which blackbirds feed has in it 

 much carbonate of lime success with alfalfa is assured, 

 if a few other easily-met requirements are obeyed. In 

 short, make the soil dry, sweeten it with lime if you are 

 farming on soil needing lime, make it rich, then sow 

 alfalfa. 



There are many ways of enriching land. In some 

 places men grow crimson clover, fertilizing it well, 

 which they turn under in spring and allow to decay 

 to make humus to aid alfalfa-growing. Dairymen and 

 stock feeders apply manure for a preceding crop, putting 

 it on heavily; of this enough is left to cause the alfalfa 

 to grow off vigorously. Any method .of good farming 

 whatever that will make the soil rich if it is not already 

 so, will serve. I have found, however, that it is better 

 if one can avoid turning under manure directly for alfal- 

 fa. If one could begin by manuring the land heavily, 

 then grow corn or some crop that could be kept clean, 

 give absolutely clean culture for a year, and then sow 

 the alfalfa, one would avoid the curse of weeds. After 

 all, no universal rule of soil culture will serve. On an 

 old plantation in Louisiana, misused for 50 years or 

 more, but of naturally rich alluvial soil, I sowed alfalfa. 



