Alfalfa in Kansas. 269 



tions are normally more favorable for seed production during the last 

 half of the season than during the first part, and this is the most im- 

 portant reason why the later cuttings of alfalfa are usually left for seed. 



WHEN AND WHERE NOT TO LEAVE ALFALFA FOR SEED. 



Profitable seed crops of alfalfa are uncertain, especially in central and 

 eastern Kansas. At best the grower is taking chances in leaving alfalfa 

 for seed, since conditions that are favorable for seed production may 

 suddenly change, making it impossible to obtain a profitable crop. It is 

 important that the grower be able to determine as early as possible 

 whether or not there will be secured a seed crop sufficiently heavy to 

 warrant losing the two crops of hay that would otherwise be obtained. 

 The appearance and the development of the alfalfa plants are the best 

 indications on which to base judgment regarding seed production, soil 

 and climatic conditions being favorable. If medium-sized stocky plants 

 with numerous branches have been produced, which blossom heavily 

 within six or seven days after the first flowers appear, and no heavy 

 rains occur during the blooming period, the chances of obtaining a heavy 

 yield of seed are good. The grower should always watch the alfalfa 

 closely while it is flowering to note whether or not the blossoms have 

 fertilized properly. If fertilization fails to take place the blossoms will 

 drop off in a short time, while if the flowers fertilize as they should the 

 petals dry and remain on the stem for a few days. 



If excessive rains fall before the seed crop is well along towards ma- 

 turity it is usually best to cut the alfalfa immediately and get the crop 

 off of the field in order to give the next cutting of hay a chance to start, 

 since under these conditions the hay will probably prove more profitable 

 than the seed. 



Probably the best indications that a satisfactory crop of seed will not 

 be produced is the starting of new shoots from the alfalfa crowns. If 

 these new shoots develop abundantly at the time the alfalfa is, or should 

 be, blooming, the crop should be cut for hay by all means. 



WHEN TO HARVEST FOR SEED. 



The alfalfa pods do not set on and ripen uniformly, and therefore pods 

 in all stages of development may be found on the same plant. Individual 

 plants also vary in maturity. It is impossible to cut the crop at a time 

 when all the seed can be saved. If the late pods are allowed to mature 

 the early ones will probably have become overripe and some loss of seed 

 will occur from shattering. 



The best results can ordinarily be obtained by cutting the crop when 

 from two-thirds to three-fourths of the seed pods have turned brown. 

 The seed in the pods that vary from a light brown to nearly green may 

 produce seed that is viable, although it will not be plump. As a rule, it 

 is better to cut the alfalfa a trifle green than to let it become overripe. 

 In the latter case considerable loss of seed from shattering will likely take 

 place in handling the crop, while if the alfalfa is cut a little too early very 

 little if any shattering will occur if the crop is properly handled under 

 favorable conditions. The loss of seed from shattering due to its becom- 



