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around it and fastens itself to the stalk with numerous 

 suckers which enter the tissues of the alfalfa plant. These 

 suckers draw all the food materials from the alfalfa and 

 soon choke it out. The only practical remedy for the ex- 

 termination of dodder is to mow the alfalfa in early sum- 

 mer and burn it where it lies. This will completely kill 

 the dodder without injuring the alfalfa as alfalfa comes 

 from crown of the root under ground. The best way is 

 to prevent its introduction into your land by buying seed 

 free from it. So far I have not heard of any dodder grow- 

 ing in New England fields of alfalfa. 



Alfalfa weighs 60 lbs. to the bushel. 



For a hay crop sow 30 lbs. to the acre. 



Sow seed that is clean and free from weed seeds. 



Sow in spring as soon as the ground gets warm. Sow 

 broadcast. 



Do not cover the seed too deep. 



Alfalfa does not attain maturity until after the second 

 year, therefore do not get discouraged if you do not get 

 results at first. 



Alfalfa grows best on a deep sandy loam with a loose 

 subsoil. The land must be well drained. 



Alfalfa is a deep feeder, plow the ground thoroughly, 

 the deeper the better. 



Alfalfa will not thrive on an acid soil, overcome acid 

 conditions with lime. 



Cut when first blossoms appear, in afternoon, allow it to 

 wilt, put up in cocks, cover with hay caps, move each day 

 until cured. Do not cut too late in the season. 



From U. S. government tests, one acre of alfalfa hay has 

 produced as much beef as 9,575 lbs. of timothy hay or 

 almost 2 acres of timothy. It has produced as much beef 

 as 11,967 lbs. of red clover or equal to 1 3-4 acres. 



