26 EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



dicated may not be productive of injurious consequences, since 

 the capacity of the soil to conduct and to retain moisture is 

 relatively small. 



On the other hand, although alfalfa is a very deep-rooted 

 plant, obsen^ation dui-ing the past two years, which has been 

 characterized by exceptionally small rainfall, leads to the con- 

 clusion that it is quite sensitive to the injurious effects of ex- 

 treme droug'ht. and that soils and sub-soils of excessively coarse 

 texture, with a water table far below the surface, can hardly 

 be expected to give satisfactory cro])s. Soils which would be 

 ranked as well adapted to gi*asses and clovers, provided the 

 drainage conditions are such as have been indicated, seem likely 

 to give the most satisfactory crops of alfalfa. 



Necessity for Lime. — Alfalfa is a lime-loving crop. Suc- 

 cess in producing it is impossible if the soil is poor in this ele- 

 ment. The soils in many parts of this State are characterized 

 by relative deficiency in lime, and in most localities, therefore, 

 a moderate ajiplication of lime is necessary in preparing for 

 alfalfa. The quantity needed will usually range between one 

 and one-half and two tons per acre. There are a number of 

 different forms of lime which may be made to serve the pur- 

 pose. On the heavier soils freshly slaked lime or fine-ground 

 lime will best meet requirements, since these forms of lime wnll 

 at the same time improve the mechanical condition and correct 

 the chemical faults. On the lighter soils, of coarser texture, 

 and especially if these are deficient in organic matter, air- 

 slaked lime or marl may be preferable. For the ordinary loams 

 some of the various forms of so-called agricultural lime, or 

 waste lime which has slaked in heaps at the kilns, will meet 

 the requirements. 



Ferlilizer Requirements. — Alfalfa, in common with other 

 legumes and clovers, does well only when there is a liberal 

 supply of potash in available forms in the soil, and potash fer- 

 tilizers should be freely nsed in ])re]>ariug for alfalfa. 



While the crop seems to depend in most marked degi-ee upon 

 an abundance of lime and potash in the soil, it is not indifferent 

 to a supply of other plant food elements, and if the soil is not 



