56 THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



used poor implements, with feeding gears not well regu- 

 lated, or possibly they have not known how to use the 

 drills. Many who object to the broadcast method have 

 had little training or skill in it. It is reasonable to sup- 

 pose, however, that given soil in fine tilth, and a good 

 drill rightly adjusted, there will be a more even, and 

 hence a more economical distribution and a better and 

 more uniform covering of the seed. It is also claimed that 

 drilling secures a more uniform distribution of soil moist- 

 ure. The general opinion is that by sowing with a drill, 

 properly regulated, one can safely use five pounds less of 

 seed per acre. Some alfalfa raisers use a wheelbarrow 

 seeder; others use a kind of swing seeder strapped to the 

 sower's body; still others, who have had training in the 

 old-fashioned method of broadcasting, declare it the best, 

 but the experiment stations of practically all the states, 

 and most up-to-date farmers, favor the use of the press 

 drill. There are now on the market different types of alfalfa 

 seeders which can be attached or are already attached to the 

 ordinary grain drill, and that will distribute the seed in any 

 desired quantities per acre with broadcast effect or leave it 

 in drill rows as may be preferred. At the Kansas Experiment 

 Station success has followed broadcasting, and cross-drilling 

 gave no particular advantage. 



HOW MUCH SEED TO THE ACRE? 



Reports of seed sown, varying from six to sixty 

 pounds to the acre, indicate much ignorance of the nature 

 of the alfalfa plant ; or a great recklessness and extrava- 

 gance. Twenty pounds to the acre, if all seeds 



