Alfalfa in Kansas. 



25 



Maps showing the average annual precipitation, the average number 

 of growing days, the average dates of killing frosts, the altitude, and the 

 average number of clear days may be found on other pages (Figs 5, 6, 

 7, 8 and 9). A study of them will help to a better understanding of the 

 relation of the number of cuttings and the average yields to the climate 

 and the altitude. (See pages 231 to 234.) 



Fia. 9. The average number of clear days in a year, from the records of the 

 United States Weather Bureau. 



DATES OF CUTTINGS. 



The maps on pages 26 and 27 illustrate the average dates on which 

 the different cuttings are made in the different parts of the state. The 

 first cutting in the season usually starts about May 15 in the southeastern 

 corner of the state, and as one progresses in a northwesterly direction 

 the date of cutting becomes later, through May 23, 27 and 30, until in 

 the northwestern corner the average date of the first cutting is about 

 June 7. The dates of the second cutting vary from June 24 in the south- 

 east to July 10 in the northwest ; those of the third cutting from August 

 1 to August 23; the fourth cutting from September 8 in the southeast 

 corner to September 24 in the west-north-central portion; and the fifth 

 cutting, which is had, as a rule, only in the southeastern corner of the 

 state, is made about October 19. It is interesting to note that alfalfa is 

 being cut somewhere in the state throughout the growing season, from 

 the middle of April to the third week in October. 



