56 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



mies with which alfalfa must contend. These are most troublesome 

 in the arid sections of the West, where the alfalfa fields may be the 

 only succulent growth for miles, and the grasshoppers from large 

 areas congregate upon the relatively small fields of alfalfa. Blister 

 beetles also prove troublesome at times when they appear in consid- 

 erable numbers. The general practice is to cut the alfalfa on the 

 appearance of any such pests, when they will be forced to starve or 

 migrate. The alfalfa and clover chalcis fly (Brucophagus funebris), 

 found also in Europe and Siberia, is proving destructive to the al- 

 falfa seed crop wherever it is grown. 



Plant Diseases Affecting Alfalfa. There are two general classes 

 of diseases which affect the alfalfa plant, namely, those which affect 

 the roots and those which attack the stems and leaves. Of the for- 

 mer, root-rot (Ozonium omnivorum) is the most important. This 

 disease is practically identical with cotton root-rot and prevents the 

 successful production of alfalfa in considerable portions of eastern 

 and southern Texas. It spreads in widening circles throughout the 

 field, causing an almost complete destruction of the stand as the 

 disease progresses. 



SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR GROWING ALFALFA. 



New York and New England States. Alfalfa is grown with 

 some difficulty on the soils in New York and the New England 

 States, with the exception of the limestone areas. Outside of the 

 limestone regions liming is always necessary. Even in the lime- 

 stone areas it is often advisable to apply lime. At least a ton 

 of lime to an acre is usually required, and more than this may be 

 necessary on the heavier soils. Well-rotted barnyard manure is the 

 most satisfactory fertilizer, but a complete commercial fertilizer may 

 be used in the absence of manure. 



Inoculation with nitrogen-fixing bacteria is essential unless the 

 soil is known to be naturally supplied with these germs. The seed 

 should be sown alone at the rate of 20 to 30 pounds per acre. It 

 may be drilled or sown broadcast and covered lightly with a smooth- 

 ing harrow. Sowing with a nurse crop in the early spring is prac- 

 ticed in some sections, but better results are usually obtained by 

 waiting until early summer and seeding the alfalfa alone. 



Good results may also be obtained by seeding the latter part of 

 July on land which has been repeatedly harrowed for several weeks. 

 This method is recommended in case weeds are thought to be 

 troublesome. Alfalfa is more likely to winterkill under this last 

 method, but this danger may be less than that of the weeds on a 

 weedy soil if sown in the spring. 



Middle Atlantic and Southern States. In the Middle Atlantic 

 and Southern States the limestone soils are best adapted for the pro- 

 duction of alfalfa. Even these soils often require liming for the 

 best success. In the nonlimestone regions the soils require heavier 

 liming to overcome the natural acidity of the soil. A deep, fertile, 

 well-drained, well-limed soil is required. Well-rotted barnyard 

 manure is the most satisfactory fertilizer. Green-manure crops are 

 also efficient in building up the humus content of the soil. If nei- 



