ECONOMIC PLANTS 



231 



but it will yield heavily on stiff, limy clays if well under- 

 drained and manured, also on sand if well fertilized. 

 In short, the plant 

 will grow in al- 

 most any soil that 

 is treated to bring 

 about the condi- 

 tions it likes, but 

 because of its deep 

 rootage, alfalfa will 

 not grow well on a 

 shallow soil. 



Advantages of 

 Alfalfa. -- i. It 

 roots deeply in the 

 soil. This enables 

 it to endure drought 

 much better than 

 other plants, and 

 gives it a great 

 extent of feeding 



. FIG. 119. Alfalfa. 



ground. 



2. It is a vigorous plant, therefore can begin to grow 

 early in the spring. It continues growing throughout 

 the whole season. The first crop is ready to be cut 

 early in June, and a month later the second crop awaits 

 the mower. 



3. It is richer in food elements and more palatable 

 than the other forage crops the farmer grows. 



Inoculation of Alfalfa. Sometimes farmers seem 

 to have the right kind of soil for alfalfa, and yet the 

 first crop is a complete failure. This is probably due 

 to the fact that the soil has not been inoculated, that is, 



