ALFALFA SEED CROP 



385 



As light and air are needed for the production of seed, the 

 best conditions are obtained by thin seeding in rows. As 

 soon as the seed crop is removed, the land should be culti- 

 vated to start new growth. This method may also be used 

 for the production of hay where the rainfall is insufficient 

 to grow it by ordinary methods. 



Fig. 120. Cutting alfalfa for seed with the self-rake reaper. This 

 machine is still used in some sections for harvesting grain. It deposits 

 the crop in bunches, as shown at the right in the picture. 



The alfalfa seed crop should be handled in about the same 

 way as a seed crop of clover. Since the seed sets best only 

 in hot, dry weather, the second crop is usually left for seed, 

 conditions then being more favorable than at any other 

 season. When irrigated alfalfa is grown for seed, that 

 particular crop is not usually irrigated. The seed crop should 

 be cut when about three-fourths of the pods are brown; 

 if left till later, many of the earliest and best pods will drop 



