INTRODUCTION. 4 



burs have come in badly. I would like the benefit of your experience as to what 

 is best to do: but let me state first, there is a good deal of alfalfa on the field. 

 Xow please advise me whether it is best to plow up the field this fall and sow in 

 the spring, or wait until spring and rake off all the dead crab-grass, etc., and 

 disk harrow the fields, sowing where it is needed, or, after the heavy frosts of 

 October, this year, will it be advisable to burn off the crab-grass ? If that were 

 done the alfalfa left might winter-kill. Is there any probability that the disk 

 harrow will cut the crown off the alfalfa and kill it ; did it kill any in your ex- 

 periments ? Would it be advisable to disk harrow the ground in June after the 

 first crop has been cut off ? How much of an angle do you set the wheels of the 

 harrow when doing the work ? If you will kindly give me the benefit of your ex- 

 perience in the matter, you will greatly oblige me. Very truly yours, 



ALBERT F. THAYER. 



LEROY, KAN., October 21, 1898. 



DEAR SIR : I notice in the Capital that you advise farmers to disk and cross- 

 disk alfalfa fields to rid them of grasshoppers. I have four small fields of alfalfa, 

 sown in 1895, 1896, 1897, and 1898: the grasshoppers are stripping them in spots. 

 I am afraid to use the disk without some instructions. Is there any danger of 

 setting a sharp disk at such an angle as to cut off the alfalfa roots and kill the 

 plant, or is there any danger of disking too deep ? Hoping you will be kind 

 enough to give me some light on this subject, I am, 



Very truly yours, JOHN H. SILSBY. 



P. S. How old must the plants be before it is safe to use the disk on them ? 



ST. JOSEPH, Mo. 



DEAR SIR: I have over 500 acres in alfalfa [in Norton county, Kansas,] and 

 intend raising that number of acres as soon as I get the ground in order. Some 

 of this alfalfa is over six years old and some was put out as late as last spring. I 

 believe that the oldest of my alfalfa yields the most, and I think that it takes at 

 least three years before a full crop can be harvested. The grasshoppers favor al- 

 falfa fields on account of the tenderness of the plant, which grows so fast during 

 the season. They certainly prefer alfalfa to corn and other cereals, and only 

 leave alfalfa fields when they are destroyed, and then take to the corn-fields or 

 whatever other cereals adjoin the alfalfa fields. I believe the conditions concern- 

 ing alfalfa appear to be conducive to the multiplication of grasshoppers, as they 

 generally lay their eggs there before leaving. I would like to have you advise me 

 what headway has been made toward destroying the pest when it is small, and if 

 you know any implement or tool made for that purpose, or have any idea to pre- 

 sent, I will gladly receive it, as I am anxious to save the second and third crops of 

 alfalfa. They do not bother the first crop, as it is generally ready to cut before 

 the grasshoppers do any damage. Kindly let me hear from you at your earliest 

 convenience, and oblige, Yours truly, A. J. BRUNSWIG. 



That these and many other letters might be clearly answered, and 

 those concerned be informed more fully upon benefits not yet enjoyed 

 from alfalfa, this publication is sent forth. 



It has been deemed convenient and wise to present the subject in 

 two parts ; the first will treat of alfalfa and grasshoppers, the second 

 of alfalfa and bees. It is highly gratifying to state that the conclu- 

 sions of Part I show that the best methods of alfalfa culture are those 



