CUTTING AND CURING ALFALFA 149 



condition and alfalfa seed sown after the crop of potatoes 

 or peas has been harvested. If weedy, the land should be 

 plowed after the crop is removed ; and to kill weeds, a fine- 

 tooth harrow should be run over it at intervals through the 

 latter part of the summer and early fall. Alfalfa can then 

 be sown without a nurse crop in the early spring with 

 probability of a good catch. Alfalfa can be sown success- 

 fully on rich soils, following early crops such as peas, early 

 potatoes, and early grain crops. 



Cutting and Curing Alfalfa. No crop can be secured 

 the same season that alfalfa seed is sown, except under the 



Fig. 82. Cutting a field of alfalfa. 



most favorable conditions. The year following seeding, 

 three good crops may be expected. The first crop in 

 northern latitudes will be ready for cutting early in June, a 

 trying time for curing hay. It should be cut when the 

 alfalfa is in advanced bud and a few plants are in blossom, 

 on a day that promises fair weather. Occasionally the 

 alfalfa will come into bud and hesitate to blossom ; sprouts 

 will then immediately start at the base. It should be cut 



