38 



3. The seed may be sown in early May at the rate of 80 pounds 

 to the acre together with one-half bushel of oats as a nurse crop, 

 the latter checking the growth of weeds. It has also been suggested 

 that the land be plowed in the spring and frequently cultivated to 

 kill tlie weeds and the alfalfa sown in early June without a nurse 

 crop.* Alfalfa should be cut just as the first blossoms appear. If 

 allowed to stand later, it is very likely to be attacked by blight 

 and is also less digestible. It should be cured in the same manner 

 as described for clover. 



4. If sown in the spring with oats, the first cutting may be 

 expected about July 20, and another in early September. It is 

 doubtful if more than two comparatively light crops are secured 

 the first season. After the last cutting a growth of 6-8 inches will 

 generally take place which may be allowed to stand as a winter 

 mulch. 



5. If an alfalfa field becomes well established, a yearly appli- 

 cation either in the autumn or spring, of 800 pounds of phos- 

 phatic slag** 'and 300 pounds of high grade sulfate of potash is 

 recommended. In case 500 pounds of acid phosphate are used in 

 place of 800 pounds of phosphatic slag, it is advised to apply a ton 

 of lime to the acre every 3 or 4 years. Patience, perseverance and 

 a careful study of the peculiarities of the alfalfa plant are neces- 

 sarv before success is likelv to be achieved. 



PURCHASED CATTLE FEEDS. 



Ey J. B. Lindsey. 



(a) Standard By-Products. 



The cost of all standard concentrates at the present time is 

 relatively high, and dairymen are desirous of knowing which of 

 the many feeds offered are most economical for profitable milk 

 production. 



On general principles it is unwise for the farmer to 

 Do not purchase corn and similar starchy foods, the farm be- 

 Purchase ing especially fitted to produce them. In fact the farm 

 3tarch. has been aptly termed the carbohydrate factory, and 

 the farmer as manager should fully utilize its re- 

 sources. 



* Western farmfrs advise sowing alfalfa in late summer without a nurse crop. The writer sug- 

 gests seeding it about August first. 



** Phosphatic slag, containing 16-17 pounds of phosphoric acid and 40 45 pounds of lime in 100 

 can be obtained of the Coe-Mortimer Company, New York and of Ross Bros., Worcester, Mass. 



S For fuller information also see the following: Alfalfa (Jrowing and Alfalfa in the Eastern 

 States, Farmers' Bulletins 715 ard J76, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, also 

 Alfalfa by F. D. Coburn, published by the Orange Judd Co., New York. 



