62 



Kansas State Board of Agriculture. 



the spring-tooth harrow, and the common spike-tooth or smoothing har- 

 row with the teeth set straight, are the best implements to use. It is best 

 that the teeth be narrow and blunted, and not so rigid but that they 

 readily dodge or slip to one side when striking the crown of an alfalfa 

 plant. Sharp blades or teeth that are likely to split the crowns are prov- 

 ing unpopular, for the wounds they make cause decay and death of the 

 plant. The reason for cultivation is to loosen a hard, packed soil, caused 

 by pasturing or something else, and to destroy blue grass, crab grass, 

 foxtail or other weeds. 



TOP-DRESSING WITH MANURE. 



Growers are practically unanimous in their assertions that top-dressing 

 with barnyard manure has a beneficial effect on alfalfa. Such replies as 

 these indicate the value of the practice : "Prolongs life and increases the 

 yield" ; "increases the yield on some land fully one-third" ; "increases yield 



FIG. 53. A top-dressing of manure applied in late fall or winter at the rate of 6 to 10 

 spreader loads per acre has a very beneficial effect. [Courtesy Breeder's Gazette.] 



one-third to one-half"; "stimulates growth and increases yield"; "makes 

 much heavier crop too rank for seed"; "no crop responds quicker"; 

 "grows darker and ranker"; "made old field look like new"; "prevents 

 land from blowing in this section"; "seems to stand spring heaving bet- 

 ter"; "can't make better use of manure"; "think it highly profitable." 

 The effects of top-dressing with manure are particularly noticeable when 

 followed by a wet season. 



To secure best results the manure should be well rotted and fine in 

 texture. Otherwise the course straw will be raked up with following cut- 

 tings "of hay. It should also be reasonably free from foreign seeds, like 

 those of timothy, blue grass or weeds of any kind, for the obvious reason 

 that they will cause trouble by germinating and growing. Light ap- 

 plications should be made, in late fall or winter, at the rate of six to ten 

 spreader loads per acre, the average reported being eight loads. The 



