212 THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



enlarge to about one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter and 

 extend through the leaf to the under side, turning all 

 parts brown. When many spots occur on the same 

 leaf the whole leaf soon turns yellow and falls off. This 

 falling of the leaves and the natural loss in vigor, due to 

 the diseased condition before the falling, constitute its 

 great damage. Frequent cutting of the crop materially 

 prevents the disease." 



In eastern states farmers report that there are frequent 

 patches in their fields where the leaves turn red and the 

 plant dies. The probable explanation of this trouble is 

 *'wet feet," which alfalfa will not abide. Don't expect to 

 get a crop of alfalfa from a field in v/hich water is near 

 the surface. Drain it or use another field. 



ROOT ROT 



A disease peculiar to portions of the southern states is 

 called ''root rot," and similar to the root rot found in 

 cotton fields. The alfalfa dies in spots, these spots widen- 

 ing in circular form. This is a fungus that spreads only 

 in summer. The only means of eradicatmg so far 

 (reported by the Texas station) is the application of com- 

 mon salt and kerosene. It has not proven a serious 

 annoyance. 



GOPHERS AND PRAIRIE DOGS 



Gophers and prairie dogs are great pests in some parts 

 of the Middle West, and about the only successful means 

 of combating them is poison. The state of Kansas has, 

 probably more than any other, made a systematic effort 

 to destroy its gophers and prairie dogs, by liberal appro- 



