ALFALFA 287 



alfalfa. This practice accomplishes almost the same 

 results that a bare fallow does. By cultivating the 

 potatoes throughout the growing season, almost all of 

 the weeds are killed, and enough moisture is retained to 

 start the alfalfa. This practice also permits the removing 

 of a crop from the field, avoiding in this way the loss of 

 the use of the land as is the case when bare fallow is prac- 

 ticed. If alfalfa follows potatoes, the land need not be 

 plowed again, but should be well worked down and allowed 

 to settle for a couple of weeks before seeding. Alfalfa 

 seems to require a rather compact seed bed, and if the 

 soil is allowed to settle and become compact, the chances 

 for a good stand are greatly increased. 



291. Seeding. There is much adulterated seed on 

 the market which, if purchased, not only increases the 

 price of the alfalfa, but may introduce very troublesome 

 weeds into the field. It is well to get samples of seed and 

 prices from several different places, and to test the seed 

 for purity and vitality. This method will enable the 

 purchaser to get the best seed at the lowest price. Being 

 a perennial plant, alfalfa may be seeded at any time 

 during the growing season. If early spring seeding is 

 practiced, a nurse crop can sometimes be used to advan- 

 tage. Probably the best crop to use for this purpose is 

 spring barley, seeded at the rate of 1^ bushels per acre. 

 Oats may be used as a nurse crop if they are removed 

 early for hay, since, if allowed to ripen, they may smother 

 out the alfalfa. A nurse crop is not generally recom- 

 mended for any other than early spring seeding. If 

 fall seeding is to be practiced, the seeding should be early 

 enough in the fall to enable the plants to make several 

 inches of growth before winter. The growth from late 

 fall seeding is frequently injured during the winter. 



