256 THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



once be started well its thrifty nature will assert itself 

 and it will grow with amazing rapidity. On June 1 1 the 

 seed was planted. It was sown broadcast and harrowed 

 in lightly. One hundred pounds pure alfalfa seed were 

 sown, which was 20 pounds to the acre. The experience 

 of many others is that 15 pounds per acre is better. The 

 seed was first treated with bacteria, procured from the 

 department of agriculture at Washington, and when the 

 seeds were thoroughly dry, they were planted. Exactly 

 five weeks after the seed was planted, the crop was i foot 

 high and covered the ground everywhere. On that day 

 it was clipped first and later given two more clippings 

 during the season. The effect of the clipping was to cause 

 the crop to become more stalky, and spread out more 

 over the ground. None of the crop was removed from 

 the soil last year, the three clippings being allowed to 

 remain about the roots as a mulch. This was regarded as 

 highly important and its effect was noticeable in the per- 

 fect manner in which the crop passed through the win- 

 ter. Early this spring it started to grow and on April 18 

 the plants averaged 12 inches high all over the tract. Mr. 

 Hollingsworth is a firm believer in the efficacy of the 

 bacterial treatment of the seed before planting. He at- 

 tributes the wonderful growth of this crop to the effect of 

 the organisms produced by inoculation. It is interesting 

 to note the effect of the top-dressing which was applied to 

 two acres of the tract. The crop on that part of the 

 ground is larger and more luxuriant than the part that 

 received no dressing. The crop all over the tract appears 

 vigorous and healthy, but the two acres show a decided 

 improvement and superiority." 



