ALFALFA. 167 



which is so commonly followed in the Connecticut valley has 

 given successful results. This method, however, can be ex- 

 pected to succeed only when conditions are highly favorable. 

 The soil must be one of fine texture, in perfect tilth, and 

 naturally retentive of moisture. The corn field must be free 

 from weeds, the corn must not be over thick, nor the growth 

 excessively rank. If either of the last-named conditions exists 

 the alfalfa will not make sufficient growth to go into the 

 winter with adequate protection. If the corn is to be cut for 

 the silo the alfalfa will be more likely to succeed than in field 

 corn, for during the interval between the cutting of ensilage 

 corn and cold weather it may make considerable growth. The 

 best date for seeding in this manner is usually about the end 

 of July. Showery weather should be selected if possible, and 

 the quantity of seed should not be less than 30 pounds per 

 acre. 



Summer Seeding alone. — This method of seeding has given 

 more uniformly successful results than any other which has 

 been tried in the station or upon the college grounds; in- 

 deed, with proper preparation it has never failed. The fol- 

 lowing is a brief outline of the most successful practice: — 



1. Plow the previous autumn, or in spring as early as the 

 ground can be worked. 



2. Apply a heavy dressing of lime to the rough furrow either 

 in fall or early spring and disk in at once. 



3. As early in the spring as weed seeds begin to germinate 

 apply the following mixture per acre: basic slag meal, 1,500 

 pounds; high-grade sulphate of potash, 400 to 500 pounds; 

 and disk it in. ' 



4. Between the date of the last operation and the date of 

 sowing the seed (which should not be later than the last of 

 July) harrow about once in ten or twelve days. 



5. When ready to sow the seed apply per acre nitrate of 

 soda, 100 pounds, basic slag meal, 300 pounds, mixing them 

 and harrowing in lightly. 



6. Sow 25 to 30 pounds of seed per acre, inoculating it if 

 alfalfa has not been successfully grown on the land before, 

 and cover as you would grass seed. 



7. Inoculation may be eft'ected either by the use of a com- 



