212 FORAGE CROPS 



Owing to the practically permanent character 

 of alfalfa, it will well repay the expense of careful 

 and thorough preparation of the land. This is very 

 important in order to secure a good "stand." If 

 the subsoil is hard and compact, the subsoil plow 

 should be used. If a piece of sod land is to be 

 converted into an alfalfa field, it should be plowed 

 and planted with some cultivated crop the first 

 year or two, in order to put the soil into good 

 physical condition as well as to destroy all tufts 

 of grasses which may spread, as grass is the worst 

 enemy of alfalfa. It is desirable to have the soil 

 somewhat compact for the seed, and therefore, it 

 is better not to sow alfalfa on new-plowed ground. 

 Plowing should be completed as long before sow- 

 ing as possible, and the land should be rolled to 

 compact it, and afterward lightly harrowed to 

 leave the surface finely pulverized, and to prevent 

 loss of moisture. 



Manures and fertilizers 



Alfalfa is a heavy feeder, and will not thrive on 

 lands deficient in plant-food. It is especially de- 

 sirable that the soil contain abundance of lime, 

 both in order to supply the needs of the plant and 

 to correct any possible acidity, for, as already 

 stated, acid soils are unfavorable for the growth 

 and development of the organisms that are neces- 



