PLANTS OF THE CLOVER FAMILY. 93 



the roots and so make it possible to turn a straight 

 furrow. 



Preparing the Land. The preparation of the 

 soil that will be the most suitable for alfalfa will 

 depend upon conditions such as relate to variations 

 in soil and to the season for sowing the seed. Speak- 

 ing in a general way, the seed bed should be deep, 

 moist, clean and of fine tilth. But with upland soils 

 subjected to very dry conditions, stirring the- soil to 

 but a little depth, when preparing a seed bed, would 

 be preferable. The firming of the seed bed is pecu- 

 liarly applicable to the upland soils of the south- 

 western states, but it will oftentimes be necessary to 

 run a light harrow over the ground, after it has been 

 firmed with a heavy roller, to prevent the wind from 

 lifting the soil and in some instances to prevent the 

 too rapid evaporation of soil moisture. When the 

 seed is sown in the early spring, it is not possible at 

 all times to secure a clean seed bed for the alfalfa, 

 unless it is made to follow a well cultivated crop of 

 the previous season. There may also be instances 

 in which the labor would be wisely expended in sum- 

 mer fallowing the land the previous year. When it 

 is thus fallowed it is important that green crops be 

 sown upon it at the same time and plowed under, 

 that the soil may thus become abundantly supplied 

 with vegetable matter. Such crops as autumn sown 

 rye followed by a quick growing legume are well 

 adapted to such an end. 



When the seed is sown late, there is then time 

 to clean the surface soil through the successive 

 harro wings that may be given. Because of the 

 probable duration of the crop when established, and 



