DISKING AND CULTIVATING. 



In some regions it is a practice to disk alfalfa once 

 or more each year. In Kansas and Oklahoma it is 

 often practiced to disk once in the spring and again 

 after each cutting as soon as the hay can be removed 

 from the ground. It is believed that disking con- 

 serves much moisture and otherwise promotes the 

 growth of the alfalfa. It has often been asserted 

 that the disking splits the crowns and thus thickens 

 up the stand. This is as though one were to split 

 down the tree trunks in his orchard "to thicken the 

 stand. ' ' The splitting of alfalfa crowns can do noth- 

 ing but harm and often starts a decay of root that 

 ends in the death of the plant. However, the result 

 of disking is often beneficial when done in early 

 spring, before growth sets in; It certainly deters 

 weed and grass growth and lets air and water into 

 the soil. Later diskings help in some regions and 

 soils and do mischief in others. The main beneficial 

 effect of disking is the conservation of moisture and 

 destruction of weeds or gra'sses. 



In Louisiana disking alfalfa seems beneficial on 

 the whole. In Kansas it is much practiced and some 

 think it very helpful, while others declare that ex- 

 cessive disking materially reduces the yield. On 

 Woodland Farm disking when fertilizer was sown 

 at the same time has done wonders; disking alone 

 has in some instances decreased the yield. 



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