ALFALFA 



173 



"common" type, and is grown in the arid and semi-arid climates 

 of the middle west and extreme west. Usually the seed is thrashed 

 each season from the second growth. 



Alfalfa should be cut frequently (Figs. 120, 121 and 122). 

 The plant thrives better under this treatment. A common cause 



of loss on the crop arises from 

 failure to cut it soon enough. 

 In some irrigated regions of 

 California and other warm cli- 

 mates it may be cut five times 

 a year or oftener. As far north 

 as New Jersey it should be cut 

 four times a year. Where it is 

 grown farther north it will pro- 

 duce at least three cuttings a 

 year. When the plants are be- 

 ginning to show their purple 

 blossoms the crop should be cut. 

 At about this stage of maturity 

 the plants begin to send up new 

 shoots from the buds at the 

 crown. Cuttings should take 

 place before these shoots have 

 grown more than an inch, if 

 possible. If the new shoots 

 grow enough to be cut by the 

 machine when the old stems 

 are mowed the future growth is 

 likely to be ruined. 



Alfalfa hay is difficult to cure 

 in moist climates early in the 

 season. Under such circum- 

 stances it may be advisable to 

 use hay caps over the shocks in 

 the field during the curing pro- 

 cess. At other seasons and in drier regions this is usually unneces- 

 sary. The hay should be handled carefully to avoid breaking off the 

 heads (Fig. 123). It should not be allowed to dry as much as 

 clover or timothy before it is hauled to the stack or hay mow. 

 If some natural moisture is still in the hay the leaves will not 

 shatter off as much and better hay will be produced. 



i 



FIG. 119. Dodder is a parasite weed 

 which attacks alfalfa, clover, and many other 

 plants. (Productive Farm Crops.) 



