258 THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



one of Iowa's great crops as desirable results are being 

 obtained in many parts of the state where land is prop- 

 erly seeded. We take great pains to see that the ground 

 is in good physical condition and that the seed is sown 

 in late summer, some time between August 5 and 15, so 

 that the young plants will make sufficient growth to with- 

 stand the winter. If the seeding takes place in the fall, 

 the alfalfa plants will not make sufficient growth to with- 

 stand the winter. Alfalfa should not be pastured the first 

 season. The growth from seeding time until winter sets 

 in should be 6 to 8 inches and should be left on the ground 

 for winter protection. A nurse crop should not be used. 

 Alfalfa will not do well on low, wet ground, but must 

 have land that is well drained. In the northern parts of 

 the state it may be sown in the spring, and in this case 

 desirable results have been secured by using a nurse crop. 

 If oats are used at all, they should be an early variety. 

 Wheat or barley is much better. They are not so likely 

 to lodge. If the nurse crop is heavy, a poor stand of 

 alfalfa is almost sure to follow. Not more than one-half 

 the usual amount of grain should be sown to the acre. 

 Better results may be expected if no nurse crop is used. 

 In this case, it will be necessary for the weeds to be mowed 

 down two or three times during the summer, so that the 

 alfalfa will not be choked out. It is better to sow in the 

 spring than late in the fall. Late summer seeding is 

 the best. The following year it will be freer from weeds 

 'and have a better stand than that which was sown the 

 spring before. Cornstalk ground which was well ma- 

 nured the year before for corn is generally used for 

 spring seeding. The stalks should first be removed. The 



