394 



ALFALFA 



that it was practised, after which the yield usually declined. The 

 indications are that the disking does stimulate and increase growth, 

 but it also injures the roots and permits various fungous diseases to 

 enter and cause root rot, so that in a year or two the plants die out 

 very rapidly. In dry climates, however, root rots are not so very 

 troublesome, and the disking may be expected to give good results 

 longer in such climates than where it is humid. In humid regions it 

 is agreed that disking is justified only on old fields that are to be 

 plowed up the following year. 



Alfalfa cultivators of various forms have been put on the market. 



* 



FIG. 170. Alfalfa seed and dodder seed. 



Some of these are constructed like disk harrows, with spikes in place 

 of the disks. Others are constructed like cultivators, with very nar- 

 row teeth on flexible beams. The latter form is now generally 

 considered to be the best. 



Pasturing Alfalfa. Alfalfa is considered to furnish the best 

 hog pasture of any cultivated forage crop. It is not considered well 

 suited for cattle or sheep, as they are practically sure to bloat. No 

 method of overcoming this difficulty has been found, where pure 



