CHAPTER XIII 

 GROWING LEGUMES IN DRY AREAS 



The legumes which probably rank highest in their 

 adaptation to dry areas include alfalfa, the common 

 clovers, sainfoin, vetches, cow peas and sweet clover, 

 also the Canadian field pea, the common field bean and 

 the soy bean. The three species last named have al- 

 ready been discussed. Of these the mission of alfalfa 

 will probably be found more important than that 

 of all the others combined. The great value of 

 legumes in dry areas lies first in the fact that nearly all 

 of them have much power to grow under dry conditions ; 

 second, in the enrichment which they bring to the soil ; 

 third, in the humus which they bring to the same, and, 

 fourth, in their relatively high value in furnishing food 

 for live stock. 



GROWING ALFALFA 



Beyond all question alfalfa is to be the great hay 

 crop of the semi-arid west. Without alfalfa the problem 

 of furnishing hay for the farmer of this region would 

 be very grave. With alfalfa it is not difficult. The 

 view was very prevalent until recent years that alfalfa 

 could not be grown successfully in the absence of irri- 

 gating waters unless water was found not far below 

 the surface of the ground. It is now known that where 

 the soil and subsoil for alfalfa are suitable, it may be 

 grown successfully where the water table is several 

 hundred feet below the surface, providing the climatic 

 conditions also are favorable to its growth. Where 

 this beneficent plant can be grown, it will furnish hay 

 for live stock, bring enrichment and humus to the soil, 

 tend in a very marked degree to prevent blowing in 

 light soils, and prove a most effective subsoiler through 



