ALFALFA 



355 



alfalfa seed containing dodder. The seeds of the latter 

 can usually be detected by careful examination with a 

 magnifier. In all the species the seeds are smaller than 

 those of alfalfa, subglobose or somewhat angular, with a 

 finely roughened, dull 

 surface. The color 

 may be grayish, yel- 

 lowish or brownish. 



Various methods of 

 destroying patches of 

 dodder in alfalfa fields 

 have been suggested. 

 A good plan is to cut 

 the affected plants 

 very close to the 

 ground before the 

 dodder sets seed. 

 Burning the infested 

 spots by means of 

 straw or by spraying 

 with kerosene is also 

 effective. 



If the whole field 

 is affected, the best 

 plan is to utilize it 

 as pasture, especially 



FIG. 37. Dodder or love-vine growing 

 on alfalfa. 



for sheep, which eat 



the alfalfa close and 



thus check the dodder. If such a field be utilized 



for hay, some of the dodder seed will ripen and the 



field tend to become more infested every year. 



When such a field is plowed up, it is best to grow other 

 crops not subject to dodder, at least two years. Other- 



