164 rennie's agriculture. 



amount of this. Furthermore, the roots penetrate 

 the soil several feet and act on the subsoil, bringing 

 mineral matter to the surface that would never be 

 reached by any other plant. When alfalfa is plowed 

 up and the roots decay the whole subsoil is per- 

 forated, so that the air and water have free access 

 to the same. Because of all this alfalfa is the 

 greatest of soil renovators. It has the advantage of 

 being a perennial, so that if the conditions are favor- 

 able it will produce three crops each season for many 

 years, and of the most nutritious kind, for all 

 animals. According to analysis this food is nearly 

 equal to bran in nutritive value. For convenience 

 in feeding green during the summer to horses, 

 cattle, pigs, etc., it is advisable to select a few acres 

 near the stables. See page 102. 



The writer has had considerable experience in 

 growing and feeding this highly profitable fodder 

 crop, and the following explanation of his cultiva- 

 tion, if carefully followed, will lead to the successful 

 growing of this clover in any part of Canada where 

 red clover can be grown. If the land has not been 

 prepared the previous fall according to directions 

 for early crops, it may be prepared in the spring in 

 time to sow alfalfa seed. Plow shallow, roll and 

 harrow; in ten days cultivate and harrow. If the 

 soil is clay, loosen ten inches deep with a subsoil 

 plow or the stiff-tooth subsoiler. Again harrow; 

 then spread on the surface fifteen or twenty loads of 

 well rotted farmyard manure per acre; after which 

 cultivate and harrow until the manure is thoroughly 

 incorporated with the soil. Then sow fifteen pounds 

 of alfalfa seed to the acre with a grass seed sower 

 (///. 52). Sow at the beginning of June (without 

 any grain), also sow by hand five pounds of orchard 

 grass seed per acre. Then give one stroke with the 

 harrow or Breed's weeder. 



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