CEREALS AND FORAGE PLANTS 365 



other forage crop. Its cultivation is extending still further 

 east, and it bids fair to replace red clover in many of our 

 northern states. 



The best soil for alfalfa is a rich, sandy, well-drained loam, 

 and this makes it especially favorable for the rich soils of the 

 dry west where irrigation is used. It is a plant one to three 

 feet high, with clover-like leaves, and purple flowers in long, 

 loose clusters. In loose soils the tap-root is said to reach a 



FIG. 44. Cow-pea. After ENGLER and PRANTL. 



depth of ten to twelve feet, and cases of 50 feet in depth 

 have been reported. 



The seeds are sown broadcast or in drills, and the young 

 plants are rather tender, so that care is necessary to establish 

 a field, which usually requires two years, but after it has been 

 established it is quite enduring. The ordinary yield of hay 

 is reported to be three to eight tons per acre, and sometimes 

 a yield of ten to twelve tons per acre is reached. 



72. Cow-pea. Cow-pea is to the south what clover is to 

 the north and alfalfa to the west. It is an important hay 



