118 One Thousand Questions in Agriculture 



extent. We are not sure how far it would prevent bank cutting by 

 the flowing water, for it makes a bunchy and not a sod-like growth. 

 It would not live through the summer unless the levee soil keeps 

 somewhat moist. The only way to determine whether you can get 

 a permanent growth of it, will be by making a trial. Seed should 

 be sown as soon as the ground becomes moistened by rain. It is a 

 very safe proposition, because if it is willing to live through the 

 summer, it is one of the best pasturage grasses for places in Cali- 

 fornia where it will consent to grow, and it is not liable to become 

 an annoyance by taking possession of adjacent land, because it would 

 be readily killed by cultivation. 



Alfalfa and Alkali. 



I sowed several acres of alfalfa seed with a disc this season and none 

 of it has come up. I think the reason for it not coming up is that the 

 disc put it into the ground too deep. We sozvcd some by hand and it 

 came up very well. Is there any probability that later in the season this 

 seed will germinate, or has it rotted in the ground? Water stands within 

 three feet of the surface and has considerable alkali. What can I plant 

 on this land and get a crop? It is our intention to sow it to alfalfa next 

 fall. The land adjoining, although higher, has a good stand of alfalfa now. 



You are right about covering the alfalfa seed too deeply. It is 

 not likely to appear. Your chance of getting a durable stand of al- 

 falfa on such shallow soil over alkali water is not good, but you can 

 hardly determine that without trying. Sometimes conditions are 

 better than you think; sometimes worse. The plant itself is the 

 best judge. On your lower land you could probably get a better 

 stand of rye grass than anything else — sowing at the beginning of 

 the rainy season. Of course, however, even that will depend upon 

 how much alkali you have to deal with. 



Alfalfa on Adobe. 



Is adobe land good for alfalfa? Is it harder to start than in other 

 soils or not? How much seed is required to sow an acre? Also state 

 what time alfalfa should be sowed. 



Alfalfa will thrive on an adobe soil if the moisture is kept right — 

 especially guarding against too much water at a time. It is neces- 

 sary to irrigate more frequently and apply only as much as can be 

 absorbed by the soil before the hot sun comes on the field, for that 

 scalds the plant badly. It is harder to get a good stand because of 

 the cracking and hardening of the surface. Sow about 20 pounds 

 to the acre just as soon as the soil comes into good condition — that 

 is, moist and warm. February and March are usually the best 

 months, according to the season in the interior valleys. 



Alfalfa and Soil Depth. 



Do you consider soil which is from A to 6 feet deep to hardpan of 

 sufficient depth for alfalfa? Is there hardpan in the region of Lathrop 



