46 A YEAR IN AGRICULTURE 



soil to absorb all of the moisture, thus furnishing a coating 

 of infected soil for every seed. 



5. Apply at the outset, on worn soils especially, 400 

 pounds per acre of some good carrier of phosphorus, and if 

 the land lacks organic matter apply manure liberally. 



6. Apply from two to five tons of ground limestone per 

 acre to the soil the previous fall or early in the spring before 

 seeding. 



7. Seed the ground with a nurse crop of oats or barley in 

 April, or sow alone on ground that has been thoroughly pre- 

 pared between the fifteenth of July and the fifteenth of August 

 with fifteen to twenty pounds of seed, and cover lightly with 

 a smoothing harrow or weeder. 



8. Koll or firm the ground with a plank drag after 

 planting. 



9. Avoid clipping or pasturing after the summer seeding. 



10. Cultivating the ground after the cuttings of alfalfa 

 destroys weeds, loosens the ground, and encourages the 

 growth. After five years the alfalfa field may be plowed up 

 and included in a crop rotation, beginning with corn. 



NOTEBOOK QUESTIONS 



1. Why have there been so many failures in trying to 

 grow alfalfa in this country? 



2. Why is alfalfa a good forage crop ? 



3. Show statements explaining the probable costs and prof- 

 its in growing an acre of alfalfa. 



4. Name the requirements for growing alfalfa in the order 

 of their importance. 



5. Compare alfalfa and red clover as to habits of growth, 

 culture requirements, feeding value, and place in crop rota- 

 tion. 



