PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES 3O9 



second year; on heavier soils, about the third year. We 

 have alfalfa 20 years old, as vigorous and good to yi^ld 

 as when started. It is preferable to clover for turning 

 under, as the large roots make more manure, and the tops 

 are much heavier. We grow alfalfa on our uplands 

 without irrigation, but it requires two or three years 

 to get a start; the first year, it makes a growth of 8 or 

 10 inches, and wilts; second year, it grows a little taller, 

 thickens up somewhat, and then, apparently, dies ; the 

 third year, it gains in height and strength, and yields 

 a good crop, or even two crops, according to the subsoil. 

 If the subsoil is hardpan, I would not predict the result 

 as worth the effort. I do not see how Utah would get 

 along without alfalfa. I have 100 acres, from which are 

 cut from 2 to 2^ tons of hay per acre, and from 800 to 

 1300 bushels of seed each year, and it has not been irri- 

 gated for 15 years. Last year the seed yield was 968 

 bushels, and the grasshoppers damaged it considerably; 

 the seed brought 10 cents per pound on the track here. 

 We make good beef from the hay alone, and have done 

 so on the threshed straw. 



VERMONT 



Prof. J. L. Hill, Director Vermont experiment sta- 

 tion, in Bulletin No 114 says that popular interest in 

 the question of alfalfa culture was never so great in Ver- 

 mont as it is today. The result of 56 trials at as many 

 Vermont points are summarized : as, permanent successes, 

 12; temporary successes, ten; success at outset, eight; 

 seeming success, five; questionable, seven; failure, 14. 

 Thirty-six per cent of the trials may fairly be said to 



