472 ALFALFA FARMING IN AMERICA. 



harrow and reseed the spots that are most bare, or plow up the 

 entire field and reseed it. After the first year if the alfalfa has 

 done well it ought to be disked with a harrow, preferably after 

 each cutting; certainly twice a year, setting the disk so as to cut 

 about four inches, and lapping on the return round. Some prac- 

 tice disking both ways, after which a smoothing harrow or a 

 roller is passed over the field to smooth it. An alfalfa renovator 

 may be used instead of the harrow. Even on irrigated land some 

 cultivation is desired. 



I do not attach very much importance in this state at least, to 

 the inoculation of the soil. I have never known a crop of alfalfa 

 to fail here from neglect of this precaution. Most of our soils 

 seem to be either naturally inoculated, or to become so very soon 

 after the growth of alfalfa is begun. 



The number" of cuttings varies from three to seven. I recently 

 saw a 60-acre field cut the third time that produced at that cut- 

 ting eighty tons of the prettiest alfalfa that I ever looked at. This 

 was in the Toyah Valley. Their practice in haying is to windrow 

 the alfalfa the second day after cutting, and then with buck 

 rakes bale from the windrow in the field, being careful to throw 

 aside any swaths that seem a little too green. I do not mean 

 green as to color, but as to sap. Such alfalfa has all the leaves 

 preserved and is as green and as fresh-looking in the bale as it 

 is in the field. 



Of course this is quite a dry climate. In the rain belt I would 

 advise cutting in the morning after the dew is off and windrow- 

 ing next morning after the dew is off, and if it is to be stacked, 

 it may be put up that afternoon. If it is to be baled, it should be 

 given a little more time in the stack or shock, but this is not al- 

 ways necessary. One season's experience is almost essential for 

 successful alfalfa growing, and the intelligent farmer will soon 

 learn to recognize and correct the difficulties of his particular 

 locality. 



