ALFALFA DISEASES. 



Mention has frequently been made to the appear- 

 ance of rust on alfalfa leaves. It will appear in 

 almost all parts of the humid states after alfalfa has 

 grown about 40 days. During hot and humid 

 weather it will be worst. On poorly drained soils it 

 will be worse than on dry soils. When alfalfa suffers 

 lack of inoculation it will be worst of all, and incur- 

 able till inoculation has been given. There is no cure 

 for the disease unless one can remove the inducing 

 causes. If the land is wet, drain it. If it needs in- 

 oculation, attend to that. Lack of lime is an inducing 

 cause. When the soil is fit rust troubles hardly at 

 all. It appears on lower leaves slightly at time when 

 the crop should be cut and made into hay. By the 

 time rust appears again it will be cutting time again. 

 It is worth mention again that too early mowing in- 

 duces rust. 



Alfalfa Root Rot. Alfalfa roots can not endure 

 submergence in water in warm weather. If the land 

 fills up and stands full of water for a time when the 

 sun is hot the alfalfa will die. If it stands not quite 

 full, but with the subsoil full the roots will decay at 

 the water line. Thus the field will suddenly begin 

 to fail and the owner may wonder why. I have had 

 fields on Woodland fail in this manner when tiles be- 

 came obstructed and rainfall was excessive. I have 

 observed similar instances in Louisiana and other 



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