186 



AGRICULTURE 



to two inches in length is the best time to harvest. In this 

 way the new 7 growth goes on without interruption. 



If the cutting takes place much earlier than this, there 

 is a loss of growing time in waiting for the new shoots to 

 develop. If, on the other hand, the cutting is delayed until 

 these shoots are too long, the mower will clip them off and 

 they must begin all over again, thus delaying the next crop. 

 Usually it is possible to secure three cuttings of alfalfa in 



Side delivery raker in an alfalfa field, yielding two tons to 

 the acre on second cutting. 



the corn region and as many as eight and even more in 

 some of the irrigated regions of the West. It is evident 

 that if the greatest number of cuttings is to be secured 

 each crop must be cut as soon as it is ready in order to let 

 the next crop get properly started. 



Handling the hay. Alfalfa, like clover, should be 

 harvested so that the hay may reach the barn or stack with 

 the least possible amount of handling or exposure to the 



