118 Kansas State Board of Agriculture. 



As one progresses from the western toward the eastern end of the 

 state the percentage of those who usually mature a seed crop becomes 

 steadily less: 35, 24, 7. The occasional seed growers steadily increase 

 as one goes from west to east: 17, 29, 35. The percentage of those who 

 do not in any year mature a seed crop is slightly more in the eastern 

 third than in the sections further west; just about one-half of the alfalfa 

 growers reporting on the subject are included in this class. The follow- 

 ing replies are in answer to the question, "Do you usually mature a seed 

 crop?" 



Marion county: "Yes, from five to fifteen acres." [This man has 115 

 acres of alfalfa.] 



Rice county: "Usually on some piece, but not on all. Select the clean- 

 est piece, not too thick on the ground." 



Cheyenne county: "Sandy soil is best for maturing seed." 



Dickinson county: "When it will seed, I do. In wet seasons it won't 

 seed." 



Douglas county: "No. I can very seldom get a paying seed crop in 

 eastern Kansas." 



Miami county: "No. The seed is too cheap and the hay is worth more 

 money." , 



Rawlins county: "No. Hay usually pays better than seed." 



Sumner county: "No. It is hard on the stand. I mature a crop 

 every other year." 



CONDITIONS FAVORING A SEED CROP. 



Most growers prefer sufficient moisture to start the crop that is to be 

 left for seed. They are practically unanimous in their preference for 

 dry, hot weather at time of blossoming and up until time of maturity. 

 The degree of dryness should not be too great, as it is possible for at- 

 mosphere and soil to become so dry as to prevent the proper maturity of 

 seed. A few light showers after the seed has set are considered by some 

 to be beneficial, though heavy rains are not at all desired. Some reports 

 follow : 



Greenwood county : "I want a dry season to raise seed. If it is wet it 

 sprouts from the bottom." 



Mitchell county: "Plenty of moisture in subsoil at start of growth, 

 and dry, windy weather afterward. Enough moisture in subsoil to give 

 plants a good start." 



Chautauqua county: "Dry during the latter part of the growth of the 

 second or third crop, particularly while it is in bloom." 



Cloud county: "Heavy rains to start the crop; then dry weather at 

 blooming and maturing of the seed." 



Marion county: "Wet before blooming and dry weather after the pods 

 begin to set." 



Montgomery county: "Seed best not from a big growth. In a wet 

 season it may bloom, but will blight." 



WHICH CROP LEFT FOR SEED. 



About two-thirds of the growers report in favor of leaving the second 

 crop of the season for seed, nearly one-third in favor of the third crop, 



