LUCERNE. ALFALFA. 355 



FiftoiMi to twenty pounds, and e\on more, arc nsnally sown to 

 tlio acre. 



Tloney bees seem to extract tlie honey witliout any trouble. 



Dr. II. 1*. Armsby states that '•Lucerne is even richer in jn-o- 

 tein llian rod clover. l)iit it is inclined to a more rapid formatioji 

 of woody Hl)er after the ilowers appear. It demands early cut- 

 ting even more than clover. On account of its excess of 2)rotein 

 it should be fed in connection with some fccding-stutr poor in 

 ]»r()tein, such as roots or straAV, to realize the ])est effect."" 



]\Ir. (iorric, of England, reports, that when properly maiuigcd 

 the quantity of cattle which can be kept in good condition on 

 an acre of Lucerne, during the whole season, exceeds belief. It 

 Is no sooner mown than it j)ushes out fresh shoots. 



Prof. J. K. Page, of A'irginia. considers it one of the most cer- 

 tain as well as on(^ of the best crops the farmer can cultivate for 

 soiling purposes, lie finds no difficulty in getting a good stand 

 and a ijrofitable I'eturn, ami recommends it very higlily. It is 

 cured in the same way as clover. 



At the Agricultural College in Central Michigan, Lucerne, Avhen 

 hoed and })roperly started for the llrst year has not killed out 

 during severe winters, while it beats everything to endure pro- 

 longed drought. It is not suitable to mix with clover, as the 

 latter overtops and crowds the Lucerne. I can report no system- 

 atic attempt in Michigan to establish, mow and feed crops of 

 lucerne. June grass in early spring and late fall crowds it out. 



In 1883 Prof. E. M. Shelton, of Kansas, said : " We have no 

 hesitation in saying that, all things considered, it is a most valu- 

 able clover, especially for the western and soutlnvesteru sections 

 of the state. Along the Arkansas river, M'herc irrigation is prac- 

 ticed, it has proved a most invaluable forage plant. More ac- 

 counts come to us of failure with Alfalfa than with any other 

 clover or grass, and this is because of the difficulty in starting 

 the plants and in selecting and preparing the soil pro])erly. It 



