ALFALFA. 93 



Formerly the practice was to wait until all danger from frost was over, in 

 the spring, before sowing; but now most farmers prefer to sow as early as 

 possible and take the chances of injury from frost (thus securing the 

 benefits of spring moisture), rather than incur the damage apt to result 

 by drouth from too late sowing. 



It is important to select good, clean seed, even at a higher price, than 

 to use an inferior article, that is liable to be mixed with noxious weeds 

 and worthless chaff. Oats and barley are sometimes sown with alfalfa, 

 and good results received, where there is sufficient moisture to bring up 

 both crops without irrigation for that purpose. This practice is recom- 

 mended by some and disapproved by others. On weedy ground it is often 

 advisable to sow with oats or barley. 



After the grain is cut, the grass is generally able to protect itself from 

 weeds. Irrigation should follow the cutting of the grain, when the grass 

 will come forward rapidly. If the seed is sown without grain, do not 

 water the young growth (unless it is absolutely necessary to save it from 

 burning up) until a few inches high, because the ground is liable to bake 

 and the tender leaves to sun-scald. If, however, the stand begins to droop 

 and turn yellow, apply the water. 



The first season's yield is usually light, but by running ovfir with a 

 mower early, one fair crop may be had the next cutting four or five 

 weeks later. The second year, nearly, if not quite, a full crop will be 

 secured, which means, as a rule in Colorado, three good cuttings each year. 

 Occasionally a fourth cutting is taken off; but this is apt to be immature, 

 and difficult to cure properly. In portions of California, where there is 

 almost perpetual summer, from eight to ten cuttings are secured annually 

 under irrigation. 



Seeding is sometimes done during summer and autumn, and even late 

 in the fall; but this plan is not recommended, except under very favorable 

 conditions, as failures are more likely to result than from spring sowing. 



To those in the "rain belt" who propose to sow alfalfa, the chief hope 

 of success will be in selecting the best soil possible, with deep plowing 

 and early rowing. If the roots can once get thoroughly established, a 

 fair crop may be raised without irrigation under favorable conditions. 



IRRIGATION. 



The usual practice is to water thoroughly after each cutting; but one 

 should be governed by the conditions of the soil as to moisture. If it is 



