Alfalfa in Kansas. 



16T 



Some growers prefer to have the soil quite moist at the time the seed 

 is sown, and do not irrigate again until the plants are two to four inches 

 in height; others sow the seed and irrigate immediately afterwards. On. 

 established stands the time of applying water is either just before or 

 just after each cutting, or both, and perhaps early in the spring. From; 

 three to five inches of water are applied at each irrigation. A prominent 

 alfalfa grower irrigates as follows: "Three inches of water, early in 

 the spring, just a few days before we cut, and a week or ten days after 

 we cut." 



PlG. 144. The yield of irrigated alfalfa is 70 per cent greater than that of 

 nonirrigated alfalfa. 



Here are some opinions of growers in regard to irrigated alfalfa as 

 compared with near-by dry-land alfalfa: 



Finney county: "The irrigated alfalfa is always growing and has ai 

 bright color, while the dry-land alfalfa has a sallow appearance." 



Scott county: "It is so different that there is no comparison." 

 Gray county: "Without irrigation it is a failure; with irrigation it is- 

 a source of wealth." 



Finney county: "In ordinary seasons irrigated alfalfa will yield one- 

 third to one-half more hay per acre than alfalfa grown on valley land! 

 without irrigation." 



Scott county: "Seventy-five per cent better." 

 Wallace county: "Double or more in yield." 



Wallace county: "One acre of irrigated alfalfa equals two of dry- 

 land alfalfa." 



Morton county: "We irrigate from an artesian well, and find winter 

 irrigation to be good. In the summer we give two irrigations for each 

 cutting, which will produce better crops. It is hard to give alfalfa too 

 much water in this locality. It is much better to irrigate just one week 

 before cutting, as the ground will not dry out like it will if irrigated on 



