ins TIIK WORLD'S MKAT FUTURE 



this case tin 1 land will still have been greatly benefited. At a 

 distance of 5 ft. below the surface of a five-year-old alfalfa 

 patch there are in the space of one square foot from ten to 

 thirty roots reaching directly to the surface, and averaging 

 one-eighth of an inch in diameter. In addition to this thorough 

 Bubsoiling, large quantities of ash and free nitrogen, which the 

 plant has the property of storing near the surface, go far to 

 ensure a successful after-crop of cereals. It is probable that 

 in many cases a five or seven years' ley of this kind would 

 be more profitable to the farmer than the policy of nursing his 

 paddocks. 



" t. After the land is laid down to alfalfa, the surface strata 

 of water will drop from 4 ft. to 10 ft. below its original height 

 ui the wells, owing to the demands made on it by the penetrating 

 roots. This fact will go far to reclaim low-lying and mosquito- 

 infested grounds. The water will tend to improve as more 

 alfalfa is laid down, for the dense growth of the plant checks 

 t he evaporation of the rainfall. 



5. The seed should be as clean as possible, and grown in 

 the neighbourhood, in order thatjt may be well acclimatised, 

 h is more important, and much more economical, to work the 

 ground thoroughly at the time of sowing the seed than to sow 

 a heavier quantity of seed in badly prepared ground. During 

 its first season the alfalfa should be lightly stocked, and, if 

 possible, mown. 



" I have met with more prosperity, and found the country 

 opening up faster, in the alfalfa district than in any other 

 throughout Argentina. Yet it must not be supposed that 

 estancia business here is devoid of drawbacks. Chief of these 

 in many parts, and especially throughout the southern parts 

 oi Cordoba, is the question of water supply, which, though 

 abundant, is often so undrinkably bitter that it will not be 

 approached even by the cattle. Where this is the case, it is 

 the custom to make wide, shallow wells, which to some extent 

 catch the surface drainage. Again, the wind that blows in- 

 i utly all and every day, save for a short breathing space in 

 early winter, brings with it an invariable accompaniment of 

 dust, flies, and discomfort, which constitutes a very serious 

 factor in home fife on a small ranch. The planting of trees 



