8 



The experimental design was a split block with establishment methods 

 (conventional and sod seeding) as main plots and with forage mixtures 

 (alf alf a-orchardgrass and birdsfoot trefoil-timothy) as subplots. 



Conventionally seeded plots were plowed in August, 1976. Dolomitic 

 lime at two tons/acre was applied and incorporated in August 1976. Phosphorus 

 and potassium at 150 lbs/acre each and boron at 3 lbs/acre were disced into 

 the seedbed in April, 1977. No herbicide was used. 



Plots to be sod-seeded received the same amounts of lime and fertilizer 

 and on the same dates as conventionally seeded plots; however, all materials 

 were left on the surface. Paraquat at one quart/acre with 1% v/v surfactant 

 was applied May 7, two days after seeding. No nitrogen was applied to any 

 of the plots before seeding or during the course of the experiment. 



Alfalfa establishment 



This experiment was on Site No. 3, a Charlton fine sandy loam, which is 

 deep and well drained and potentially one of the most productive upland 

 soils in New Hampshire (Table 1). The sod was dominated by quackgrass, with 

 minor amounts of dandelion and milkweed present. 



In the fall of 1976, dolomitic lime at two tons/acre was applied to the 

 entire experimental area. Dandelions were treated with 2,4-D at one lb. 

 a. e. /acre on April 21, 1977. Solubor'- was applied to the entire area, pro- 

 viding 3 lbs. B/acre on April 22 and 150 lbs. each of P2O5 and K2O was applied 

 overall on April 15. 



The experiment was a split-block, in which establishment methods com- 

 prised the main plots. Subplots in one direction were dates of seeding 

 (May 5, May 16, and June 4, 1977) and subplots in the other direction were 



