SOIL AND SEEDING 45 



a field subject to overflow, or one where water rises to 

 the surface in winter or spring; hkewise on a field so flat 

 that water will not run off in time of a heavy rain or 

 promptly drain out through the sub-surface. The time 

 is rapidly coming everywhere when the intelligent farmer 

 will not try to raise any crop on such a field, undrained. 

 The alfalfa roots will find their way to moisture if given 

 the right surface conditions. There are profitable alfalfa 

 meadows in parts of Kansas where it is eighty feet to 

 water, but there has not yet been found one that is pros- 

 perous where water comes close to the surface, or where 

 it stands on the ground in winter. 



The other kind of soil where alfalfa refuses to grow 

 is that in which there is too much acidity. This is often 

 the case where corn and wheat have been raised for many 

 years, thus robbing the soil of much lime; a condition 

 that may be remedied by an application of lime to the 

 land just before sowing the alfalfa, harrowing it in 

 beforehand or, if the seed is to be broadcasted, the lime 

 may be applied just before sowing, when once harrowing 

 will suffice for both, or it may be sown with a drill — 500 

 to 1000 pounds per acre. 



A simple test for acidity is to make a deep cut in the 

 ground with a knife, pressing the earth slightly apart; 

 then push a piece of litmus paper into the opening and 

 press the earth together. Leave the paper there for a 

 few hours. If upon examination the litmus paper has a 

 pink appearance it is proof of acidity, and this, as already 

 said, may best be remedied with lime. 



