ALFALFA. 151 



7. Where sweet clover grows abundantly wild, and where 

 the beech tree occurs in large numbers, alfalfa will usually do 

 well. This is because both sweet clover and the beech are 

 lime-loving plants, and in the case of the sweet clover, more- 

 over, because the bacteria which give it capacity to assimilate 

 atmospheric nitrogen are either identical with those essential 

 for alfalfa or so closely related that they serve the purpose. 

 Inoculation for alfalfa is, therefore, unnecessary in sections 

 where sweet clover grows spontaneously in abundance. 



Lime Necessary. 



Alfalfa, as already stated, is a lime-loving plant. The soils 

 in many parts of this State are relatively deficient in this 

 element. In most localities, therefore, an application of lime 

 is one of the most important steps in the preparation of a 

 soil for alfalfa. The quantity absolutely necessary will usually 

 range between 1^ and 2 tons per acre; more will usually be 

 beneficial. There are a number of different forms of lime 

 which will serve the purpose. On the heavier soils freshly 

 slaked lime, commercial hydrated lime or fine-ground quick- 

 lime will best meet requirements, since these forms of lime 

 will both improve the mechanical condition and correct acidity. 

 On the ligliter soils, and especially if deficient in organic matter, 

 air-slaked lime or fine-ground limestone may be preferable. 

 The so-called agricultural limes, or waste lime, slaked in heaps 

 at kilns will meet the requirements in most cases. 



Manures or Fertilizers. 



Manure. — While maniire helps to give the soils the desired 

 texture, and increases the proportion of humus, which may be 

 beneficial, it usually carries weed seeds, and if applied shortly 

 before seeding increases the difficulty of getting a good catch. 

 The free use of manure will, moreover, be likely to increase 

 the competition of grasses with the alfalfa, enabling these in 

 a measure to gradually crowd the latter out. The application 

 of manure in preparation for alfalfa is not recommended by 

 the writer. On the other hand, a free use of manure for crops 

 which precede alfalfa is desirable, especially on the lighter 

 and poorer soils. 



