ALFALFA 189 



The alfalfa weevil and grasshoppers are probably the worst 

 enemies of this kind, particularly in the regions of the 

 West. It has been found that disking an alfalfa field late 

 in the fall in the northern states and mid-winter in east 

 central states exposes the weevil and grasshopper young to 

 freezing and the attacks of birds, and thus reduces their 

 number. 



TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION 



1. How many acres of alfalfa are grown on each farm 

 represented in the school? How long has alfalfa been 

 raised in the vicinity ? Why is not more grown, since it is 

 one of the most profitable crops known ? 



2. Out of one hundred successful alfalfa growers in 

 the corn belt, eighty-five testified that they had planted 

 according to the following program : Manured the ground, 

 fall plowed, summer fallowed the next season (surface 

 cultivated without crop), limed, inoculated, seeded about 

 August first. Make an inquiry among the alfalfa growers 

 in your vicinity. How many did all these things? Which 

 did they omit, if any? How did they succeed? 



3. Collect samples of field soil taken several inches be- 

 low the surface from each of the farms represented in the 

 school. Moisten the soil, roll it into a ball, cut the ball 

 into halves, and place between the halves a piece of litmus 

 paper, leaving it a few moments. Does it turn pink? If 

 so, this is an indication of acid or sour condition of the 

 soil. What treatment should an acid soil receive before 

 being sown to alfalfa? 



4. If there is no alfalfa grown on your father's farm, 

 talk with him about the crop, and join with him in starting 

 a small field. Would your field need liming? Would you 

 know where to secure soil for inoculating? If there is no 

 alfalfa near, is there not sweet clover along the, roadside? 



