224 TJIE SOILS AND CROPS OF THE FARM. 



per acre during a season is not infrequently re- 

 ported. 



This history of the plant is a fair indication of its 

 adaptability. It is particularly adapted to warm, dry 

 climates and dry soils with deep, porous sub-soils. The 

 sub- soil is more important than the surface soil. 



The roots grow deep. Sixteen feet deep has been 

 reported on trustworthy authority. The compact, 

 yellow clay sub-soil which underlies much of. the 

 middle, northern and Atlantic states is fatal to the suc- 

 cessful growth of alfalfa. It is only "waging a fruit- 

 less war against nature to attempt to grow it." 



It is not as hardy as red clover. It stands drought 

 excellently and is adapted to irrigation. Much of it 

 in the West is grown in this way. 



It should be sown in the spring after all danger 

 from spring frosts are past. When sown broadcast 

 the best results are obtained by sowing on well pre- 

 pared land without grain, grass or other forage plants. 

 Weeds are inclined to appear. Planting in drills 12 

 to 18 inches apart is, therefore, sometimes recom- 

 mended. 



Ten to twenty pounds of seed may be sown per 

 acre; less if in drills than if broadcast; less if for 

 seed than for hay. The seeds are rather large. 

 Twenty pounds per acre is equivalent to about 100 

 seeds per square foot. The seed does not grow so 

 uniformly well as red clover. 



Alfalfa is strictly perennial and is, therefore, 

 adapted to both permanent meadows and pastures. It 

 does not stand grazing so well as the true clovers or 

 the grasses. In Oreat Britain, it is used chiefly for 

 soiling. In moist climates it is difficult to cure, and 

 the leaves are apt to be lost in drying. 



