QO ALFALFA 



cut with mowing machines. Alfalfa for seed is har- 

 vested with a reaper or binder or with a mowing machine 

 that has an attachment for bunching the crop. 



Value. Alfalfa is one of the best foods in the world 

 for stock. It is used mostly for hay, but it makes 

 excellent pasture for horses, sheep, swine, and poultry. 

 It is one of the best soiling plants. In many localities 

 the hay is ground into meal, which can be fed without 

 waste. The young plants are sometimes boiled and 

 eaten as greens. Bees make fine honey from the 

 blossoms of alfalfa. 



QUESTION 



1 . Why is alfalfa such an important forage crop ? 



2. What kind of soil is best for this crop ? 



3. How is alfalfa sown and harvested ? 



4. In what sections of the country is alfalfa the leading hay 

 crop? 



5. What is the common cause of failure to get a good stand of 

 alfalfa ? What is the remedy ? 



PRACTICAL EXERCISE 



i. Dig up an alfalfa plant, getting as much of the roots as pos- 

 sible, and study the parts of the plant. Are there nodules on 

 the roots ? How does alfalfa differ from clover ? 



REFERENCES 



Bulletins on alfalfa published by the Agricultural College 

 and Experiment Station in your state. Farmers' Bulletins : 

 194, Alfalfa seed; 339, Alfalfa; 373, Irrigation of alfalfa; 495, 

 Alfalfa seed production. 



