SOIL AND SEEDING 49 



no crop which leaves the soil in finer physical condition 

 for alfalfa-sowing than millet, and none that is more 

 unsatisfactory for a like purpose than sorghum or Kafir 

 corn that was planted in hills or rows. 



A clover sod for a spring sowing should be plowed in 

 September or October, disked or harrowed, and not in- 

 frequently a light sowing of rye for winter pasture is 

 feasible. In early spring use disk and tooth harrows on 

 the land. It is excellent if a liberal application of rotted 

 stable manure is plowed under with the clover sod. Us- 

 ually it is better to follow clover with a corn or potato 

 crop before seeding to alfalfa. 



FAIiL SOWING 



Fall sowing presents fewer difficulties than spring sow- 

 ing. Corn is not the preceding crop and hence the weed 

 problem is not so formidable. Usually a fall sowing fol- 

 lows millet or oats, cowpeas or potatoes. Almost any 

 crop except the sorghums may be grown to precede 

 alfalfa for a fall sowing; these should not be as they con- 

 sume too much moisture. If possible, put on a dressing 

 of stable manure the preceding winter; plow deep in the 

 spring and work to a fine tilth for the summer crop. 

 South of the latitude of 40 degrees cowpeas is one of the 

 best preparatory crops. They are legumes, and the 

 bacteria that live on their roots are similar to those 

 upon the alfalfa roots; they are also nitrogen-gath- 

 erers, taking nitrogen from the air as does the al- 

 falfa, and thus they prepare the soil for alfalfa. Be- 

 sides, cowpeas are a valuable forage, the hay being 

 worth almost as much, pound for pound, as that of 



