380 



FIELD CROPS 



% 



plowed for the small grain. On sandy land, it is well to sow 

 the seed in grain stubble or to scatter a light top dressing of 

 straw over the field to protect the young plants from injury 



by the blowing of 

 the soil particles. 



477. Sowing the 

 Seed. The usual 

 method is to sow 

 from 12 to 20 

 pounds of alfalfa 

 seed to the acre 

 without a nurse 

 crop, sowing the 

 seed with a broad- 

 cast seeder and 

 covering it by a 

 light harrowing. 

 The heavier rate of 

 seeding is desirable 

 in the humid dis- 

 tricts, particularly 

 where alfalfa is not 

 commonly grown. 

 Twelve to 15 

 pounds to the 

 acre are sufficient 

 throughout the 

 Rocky Mountain 

 and Pacific states. 

 A grass seed at- 

 tachment to a 

 grain drill gives 

 even distribution 



***% 



* , 

 * 



Fig. 118. Seeds of alfalfa and common impuri- 

 ties. Seeds at right are natural size. A, alfalfa; 

 B, yellow trefoil; C, sweet clover; D, buckhorn; 

 E, wild carrot; F, wild chicory; G, curled dock; 

 H, large-seeded dodder; I, small-seeded dodder. 

 (From Farmers' Bulletin 339.) 



