CHAPTER XI 



ALFALFA 



ALFALFA belongs to the legume family. Like other mem- 

 bers of the family it is able to use the free nitrogen of the 

 air to build up plant tissue, through the actiVity of certain 

 bacteria that inhabit the nodules upon the roots. Alfalfa 

 can truly be called the queen of forage plants. No other 

 forage plant is more readily relished by farm animals or 

 exercises a more beneficial effect upon the soil. There are 

 numerous varieties of alfalfa, differing in their foliage, 

 manner of growth, and ability to withstand the elements. 

 The leading varieties are the Grimm, Cossack, Baltic, 

 Turkestan, Common Persian, and Sand Lucerne. 



Habits of Growth. Alfalfa is an erect plant and grows 

 to the average height of two to three feet. It is character- 

 ized by smooth stems and leaves and the numerous shoots 

 coming forth from a single plant. The alfalfa plant has 

 a large taproot and many smaller branch roots or several 

 distinct roots running down from a single crown. In many 

 instances the roots penetrate the ground to a depth of 

 twenty-five feet. A veritable forest of roots lies under 

 each well-established alfalfa field. Alfalfa through this 

 large root growth exerts a beneficial effect upon the soil 

 on which it grows ; and through its power to feed on the 

 soil elements and secure moisture at great depth below the 

 surface, it is able to stand severe droughts and maintain 



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