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Alfalfa, like all other crops, thrives best under the most 

 favorable conditions. There is probably no point in the 

 raising of alfalfa more important than that of securing a 

 good stand. It seems almost impossible, in fact, climatic 

 conditions must be very favorable, in order to get a catch 

 of seed in reseeding spots among well rooted plants. There 

 is no seed that responds, or returns greater rewards for a 

 good seed bed than alfalfa, and yet it is a very simple 

 proposition, and if the proper course is pursued and good 

 seed used, there is practically no question about securing 

 a good stand. The summer culture plan, by which one 

 season's rain is stored in the ground, and the soil carefully 

 prepared as outlined in the chapter under this heading, then 

 sowing the seed the following spring, taking care to loosen 

 the surface soil the first opening of spring is best. The best 

 results we have ever seen in western Kansas have come 

 from seeding early in April on ground thus prepared, with 

 ten pounds of seed put in with a shoe drill with a chain 

 cover. 



PLAN OF SEEDING. 



The next best plan is thorough culture from early 

 spring to July, together with careful preparation, then 

 seed in July with ten pounds of seed with drill or twenty 

 pounds if broadcast. At the time of seeding the above 

 field there were about two inches of loose, fine soil on the 

 surface made by the use of a common harrow, and the 

 shoe set so as to put the seed from one-half to one inch 

 into the solid, fine moist soil beneath. The seed came up 

 quickly and very even, and if there was any complaint to 

 be made it was the fact that it was too thick. With the 

 prevailing price of alfalfa seed the saving of a few pounds 

 of seed is a great item, especially in putting in large fields. 

 The further fact that when once sowed and the crop estab- , 



