214 



Kansas State Board of Agriculture. 



FIG. 193. Buckhorn seeds, highly magnified. 



The only safe plan for the farmer, where alfalfa seed is bought away 

 from the neighborhood, is to order by sample and have the samples an- 

 alyzed at the seed laboratory of the Agricultural College at Manhattan 

 before buying a bulk lot. Much trouble, annoyance and loss are fre- 

 quently saved by taking these precautions. The best way of proceeding 

 is to obtain from local dealers and from several seed houses samples of 

 their better grades of seed offered, and mail these samples to the labora- 

 tory for purity and germination tests. On receipt of the reports, buy 

 from the best sample. A common way, and the worst possible way, is to 

 wait until a few days before planting time and then go to town and buy 

 from the local dealer the best-looking seed he has left. (See "Seed," in 

 index.) 



Alfalfa is the most expensive crop to prepare for well, and to plant, 

 that we have in Kansas, and it is at the same time our most profitable 

 and certain crop when properly prepared for and when a good stand, 

 free from weeds, is obtained on rich, fertile land. Under these condi- 

 tions there is no crop in Kansas that year in and year out will compare 

 with alfalfa as a producer of income. This being the case, slovenly prep- 

 aration of the soil and poor, cheap seed are inexcusable. In buying al- 

 falfa seed but one rule will apply the rule of the man who said, "The 

 best is none too good for me." 



