16 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 347 



seeding mixtures are being maintained, from which yield data for the first two 

 seasons have been obtained. The mixtures include alfalfa, red clover, timothy, 

 orchard grass, and red top, used in varying combinations to make 21-pound 

 mixtures, ranging from one with no alfalfa up to one with only alfalfa. The 

 thirteen difTerent mixtures are replicated three times at the 21-pound rate, and 

 twice each at 17- and 13-pound rates of seeding per acre. Two cuttings each 

 of the two seasons have been harvested on an area 5 x 90 feet from each of the 

 99 plots, and recorded as air-dry yields per acre. 



Results show a consistently lower yield for each of the two seasons from all the 

 thirteen mixtures seeded at the 13-pound rate, which averaged 8060 pounds of 

 hay compared with 8981 pounds harvested from the 21-pound rate of seeding — a 

 difference of nearly one-half ton per acre. The 17-pound and the 21-pound rate 

 of seeding showed no consistent difference, although the average yields favored 

 slightly the 21-pound rate. 



The differences in yield among the thirteen seed mixtures indicate an advantage 

 from mixtures consisting of one-third to two-thirds alfalfa, along with timothy, 

 clover, and possibly small amounts of red top. Consistently, the two lowest- 

 producing mixtures have been the extremes, no alfalfa and only alfalfa, which 

 have yielded three-fourths of a ton less hay than several other mixtures. Orchard 

 grass, while comparing favorably with timothy in point of yield, appears far less 

 desirable for use in these mixtures, owing to its earlier maturity and some tendency 

 to dominate the stands. 



The Effect of Time of Cutting on Yields of Alfalfa and the Use of Potash in 

 Preventing Winterkilling of Alfalfa. (Karol J. Kucinski, Walter S. Eisenmenger 

 and Ralph W. Donaldson.) Mowings of 2-year-old alfalfa were made at definitely 

 spaced intervals of time to determine the best management practices for alfalfa 

 growing. Eight plots were cut three times, and four plots were cut twice per 

 season, beginning in early June and extending to late September. This year, 

 as in 1936, the higher yields of alfalfa were associated with those plots having a 

 schedule of three cuttings. The highest yield was obtained when the first cuttings 

 were made on June 7, the next on August 2, and the last on September 3. In the 

 schedules with two cuttings, the total yields were not as great as an}- of the total 

 yields from schedules with three cuttings, but the stand of alfalfa in the fall 

 where two cuttings were made was superior to that where three cuttings were 

 made. 



In the early summer of 1936. an application of 300 pounds of muriate of potash 

 was made to a portion of each plot, while the other portion received none. In 

 each schedule of cuttings, where the three dates of mowing were relatively close 

 together or where the last mowing was very late in the season, there was a definite 

 winterkilling of the alfalfa plants on that portion of the plot which had not re- 

 ceived the application of muriate of potash. The accompanying photograph 

 taken from one of the plots shows that the portion of the plot which received an 

 application of potash withstood the elements of weather and produced a thick 

 stand of fine alfalfa, while on the part not receiving any potash the alfalfa was 

 entirely winterkilled and has been replaced by weeds. 



Alfalfa Variety Tests. (Walter S. Eisenmenger and Karol J. Kucinski.) In 

 cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture, tests are being 

 conducted with fifteen varieties of alfalfa. The comparatively heavj- rainfall 

 during the past summer resulted in larger yields for this year than for 1936, 

 except in a few cases. Hardigan and Ontario variegated varieties gave excellent 

 fields in 1936 and were again outstanding in 1937. Varieties from southern 

 states and countries are not adapted to conditions in Amherst. 



