Grains and Forage Crops 123 



water is sufficiently deep to allow a deep rooting of the plant in 

 free soil and yet not too far down to be readily reached by tlic deep- 

 running roots. Good results can be obtained with anywhere from 

 four to ten or twelve feet of soil above water. On shallower soils 

 the plant is apt to be short-lived through root troubles. Unirrigated 

 alfalfa is also reduced by the incursions of gophers which flooding 

 at least once a year will destroy. 



Alfalfa and Overflow. 



How long can alfalfa stand water without being drowned out? I 

 have a piece of alfalfa on which the water will stand for considerable 

 time in the winter time. 



Alfalfa while dormant will endure submergence for several 

 weeks. We do not know exactly how long, but evidently for a con- 

 siderable period, providing temperatures are too low to invite growth. 

 On the other hand, growing alfalfa is quickly and seriously injured 

 by overflow. 



No Nurse-Crop for Alfalfa. 



Is it advisable to use oats with alfalfa seeds in seeding for alfalfa? 

 Some growers of alfalfa here advise it strongly, others advise against it. 



The general experience in California is decidedly against using 

 oats, barley, or any other nurse-crop with alfalfa. Get the land in 

 the best possible condition and let the alfalfa have the full benefit 

 of it. The ripening of the grain crop will do the young alfalfa plants 

 more harm by robbing them of moisture than any protection which 

 the taller plant can afford. 



Reseeding Alfalfa. 



This spring I planted alfalfa and only got about half a stand on some 

 of the land. I tvant to resecd this fall and I thought of putting more 

 seed on the ground and then disc it in. Or would you advise replanting 

 the land? What do you think of putting manure on young alfalfa? Do 

 you think there is any danger of burning it out? 



Stir it up with a spring tooth harrow or disc it lightly to make 

 a nice seed bed and then sow your seed as if you were planting 

 alfalfa for the first time. This will give you a good seed bed and 

 will not hurt the alfalfa already growing. Prepare the surface first 

 and then sow, rather than disking in the seed. The manure in mod- 

 erate application would not burn out the young alfalfa if properly 

 applied after the rains begin. 



Taking the Bloat Out of Alfalfa. 



Will Italian rye grass and red top clover be a success under irrigation 

 as cow pasture in this county, either separately or mixed with alfalfa:* 

 To sow in bare spots in the alfalfa, zvould the rye grass prevent bloat? 



Italian rye grass and red clover will make good pasturage under 

 irrigation and will make a light with the alfalfa to the best of their 



