58 THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



pounds of seed to the acre and never more than ten. A 

 prominent Ohio farmer usually sows but ten, and never 

 over twelve or fifteen pounds to the acre, although he 

 has always introduced alfalfa bacteria into the soil one 

 or two years before ready to give it a full seeding. Of 

 strictly good seed, well cleaned, twelve pounds would 

 likely be too much rather than too little, other condi- 

 tions being right. 



WITH OR WITHOUT A NURSE CROP? 



The practice of sowing a nurse crop with alfalfa was 

 inaugurated when the nature of the plant was not as 

 well understood as now. It was also somewhat on the 

 theory too that " a half-loaf is better than no bread." It 

 began when there was a good deal of doubt about 

 "getting a stand," and the farmer thought no doubt that 

 a crop of oats or barley would pay for the plowing even 

 if the alfalfa failed. While the practice is continued by 

 many, the prevalent later method is to provide no nurse 

 crop. Few who have abandoned the nurse crop have 

 returned to it. The alfalfa plant does not need protec- 

 tion from the sun, nor is it bettered by dividing any of 

 the soil moisture or fertility with those of another crop. 

 On the other hand, if alfalfa is sowed in the spring, it is 

 important that it obtain an early start in order that its 

 roots can quickly work their way down into the moisture 

 of the subsoil, against the dry days of July and August. 

 When a nurse crop of any vigor is removed the alfalfa 

 plants are likely to be found weak, spindling and with 

 little root growth ; the nurse crop also has taken up some 

 of the soil nitrogen needed by the young alfalfa; or if 



