298 ALFALFA FARMING IN AMERICA. 



that will help and that is to run the manure spreader 

 over the land and cover it lightly with manure. Do 

 not bury it too deep, though alfalfa will in the 

 spring come up through quite a little litter. This 

 mulching should be done in November, though it 

 may be done later if it is not done then. This is the 

 one permissible intrusion into an alfalfa field, to 

 spread lightly over it manure for protection of the 

 crowns. When I say lightly I mean a layer thick 

 enough to cover the land about so that one can not 

 see the earth through the litter. Some men's ideas 

 of a light covering are airy in the extreme. This 

 manure will do no harm in the hay next season. 

 The rain will have washed it clean, it will have lost 

 most of its weight and anyway will have settled 

 down so close to the earth that the rake will not 

 gather very much of it. What is taken up will not 

 damage the hay. 



