GROWING LEGUMES IN DRY AREAS 



311 



the influence which its roots exert upon the soil and sub- 

 soil in their growth and decay. The value of this plant 

 to the dry land farmer can scarcely be overestimated. It 

 has been ascertained during recent years that it may be 



grown successfully on average soils where the annual 

 precipitation is not more than 10 to 12 inches in a year. 

 Soils. The best soils for alfalfa are loams, pro- 

 nouncedly sandy in their composition, and underlaid 



