114 PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



nurse crop. The other method is late summer seeding. The 

 advantage of this method is that it is often possible to use 

 ground that has produced a crop during that season. When 

 such a field is used it is desirable to make a liberal application 

 of well-rotted manure and work it thoroughly into the seed 

 bed. Some farmers follow the practice of summer fallowing, 

 keeping down the weeds during the summer by frequent 

 tillage. 



Alfalfa is a perennial. It may be grown without renewal 

 for many years. Five or six years usually cover the most 

 productive period. Some farmers use alfalfa in a long rota- 

 tation; others prefer to set aside a separate field so that the 

 regular rotation of the farm will not be interfered with. It 

 has been suggested that in growing alfalfa for the first time 

 a farmer should begin with a small area one or two acres 

 - and gradually, as he gains experience, put additional land 

 into alfalfa until his needs are satisfied. 



Alfalfa should be cut when new shoots are appearing at 

 the crown of the plant. Hay made at this time will have a 

 much higher feeding value than if made from more mature 

 plants. 



Vetch. Common vetch is grown for hay on the Pacific 

 coast and in the Southern States. Hairy or Russian vetch 

 is very hardy and can be grown in all parts of the country. 

 It is frequently used after a failure to secure a stand of red 

 clover. Some farmers sow it in their corn fields at the last 

 cultivation for fall and early spring grazing, and for green 

 manuring. 



Cowpea, soy bean, velvet bean. These plants are exten- 

 sively grown in the Southern States chiefly as hay crops. Cow- 

 peas and soy beans are generally grown in the Northern States 

 for both forage and seed. The hay from all three plants has 



