Alfalfa in Kansas. 



67 



HEIGHT TO CUT. 



In answer to a question about the height to set the sickle bar in cut- 

 ting alfalfa, growers estimated the proper height to be from one and 

 one-half to four inches, averaging about two and one-half inches. A large 

 proportion of them advised cutting as closely as possible, frequently 

 volunteering the information that close cutting does not injure the plants, 

 and really seems to have a beneficial effect. Still, a goodly percentage 

 cautioned against cutting too closely, and gave their reasons therefor. 

 Typical warnings read like this: "Mow as high as the mower will cut. 

 Short or close mowing, especially of the first cutting, kills more alfalfa 

 than anything I know of." "Depends on the next crop of shoots. If be- 

 fore next shoots start, cut low; if shoots have started, turn the bar up so 

 as to let them under." "Cut three to four inches high for a new seeding. 

 Afterwards mow as close as you care to." The danger of killing young 

 alfalfa by mowing too closely is discussed at considerable length on 

 pages 241 and 242. 



Wide-cut, two-horse mowers are recommended. 



FIG. 57. Sufficient growth should be left in the fall to hold the snow for winter pro- 

 tection and moisture. [Courtesy Wisconsin Experiment Station.] 



GROWTH LEFT TO GO INTO WINTER. 



The amount of growth that should be left to go into winter varies 

 from three to eight inches, averaging about four inches, according to re- 

 ports. Although there are growers, mostly in the eastern third of the 

 state, who contend that it is not necessary to leave any growth, and that 

 late close cutting does not injure the stand, most growers consider it 

 the best practice to make the last mowing so far in advance of the first 

 killing frost that there will be sufficient growth for protection and for 

 catching the winter snows. The plants are protected, to a certain ex- 

 tent, from the ill effects of alternate freezing and thawing, and the 



