400 



Kansas State Board of Agriculture. 



about four-fifths of an inch. (Fig. 349.) The color is lilac brown, with 

 two bands of lighter shade, each starting from a yellow spot on the front 



of the wing. The females de- 

 posit their eggs directly upon the 

 hay in the stack or mow, and 

 probably upon the hay in the 

 windrow. The worms of the sec- 

 ond brood appear in July and 

 August, and the moths of this 

 brood emerge in August, and the 

 larvse produced by this brood are 

 those which remain in the stack 

 through the winter. 



This insect is always more 

 abundant where old hay remains 

 over summer in stack bottoms re- 

 built in the same places year 

 after year of the waste hay re- 

 maining over. The moths may 

 often be seen resting on the walls 

 and timbers within barns where 



alfalfa or clover hay has been stored. The abundance of the moths in 

 such places should warn the owner to clean out the mow thoroughly be- 

 fore storing the new crop. 



Methods of Control. 



Never stack alfalfa, clover or timothy hay on old bottoms and tops left 

 over in the stacking places. Burn all of the old bottoms and tops. Clean 

 out the mow thoroughly before. storing the new crop. Never put new hay 

 on the top of old, whether in the stack or the mow. (See "Insects," in 

 index.) 



FIG. 349. Clover-hay worm (Hypsopygia 

 coatalis). 1, 2, larvae suspended by thread; 

 3, cocoon; 4, pupa removed from cocoon; 5, 

 6, adult moth; 7, larva covered by silken 

 thread. All natural size. (After Riley, 6th 

 Mo. Rep.) 



Alfalfa uses to advantage more water than any other crop. 



It will live and grow with less water in the soil than any common crop. 



Its roots penetrate effectively to a depth of fifteen feet or more, and 

 may draw water through ten or more feet of dry soil. 



An alfalfa field contains less moisture in the first ten feet of soil than 

 any other field. W. P. Snyder, in the Nebraska Farmer. 



Where hay sheds are not used, stack covers often pay big dividends. 

 Ordinary unbleached muslin may be used to make stack cqyers. The 

 covers used by one grower are fifteen feet square, and are held to the 

 stacks by means of concrete blocks. A small rope is sewed into the 

 cover every five feet, making three to a side. Concrete blocks are then 

 tied on, and the covers never blow off. As soon as the hay in the stack is 

 moved the cover is dried and stored in a dry place for future use. Covers 

 which he has used for three years are still in good shape. Of course the 

 covers may be made to fit any style of stack. Wallace's Farmer. 



