

HOME PROJECTS IN SECONDARY AGRICULTURE. 11 



ALFALFA PROJECT STUDY OUTLINE. 



INOCULATION AND USE OF LIME — A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT. 



I. Shall I undertake to demonstrate the production of alfalfa in this section? 



1. Has alfalfa been grown successfully in this section? 



2. Are there any limiting factors which can not be supplied at a profit? 



3. Is it evident that lime is one of the factors which limit the growing of 



alfalfa in this section? 



4. Can lime be secured at a price that will allow a profit? 



5. Is it evident that inoculation must be practiced for successful growth 



of the crop? 



6. Will it be worth while to demonstrate the value of lime and inoculation 



in alfalfa culture? 

 II. Are my home farm conditions favorable to the growing of alfalfa? 



1. Is the soil of suitable texture and fertility? 



2. Is the soil of sufficient depth? 



3. Is the soil sufficiently well drained? 



4. Has previous cropping left it free of weeds which may have proven 



troublesome? 



5. Are there insect pests or diseases which may be beyond control? 

 III. How shall I prepare my land for a stand of alfalfa? 



1. In what condition has the land been left by previous crops? 



2. Does the soil need fertilizing? 



3. When and how should barnyard manure be used for an alfalfa field? 



4. Can I afford to use commercial fertilizers on my alfalfa land; if so, 



how much, of what kind? 



5. What proof have I that my soil needs lime? 



6. What form of lime shall I use? ' 



7. How much lime shall I use to the acre? ' 



8. How shall I apply the commercial fertilizer and lime? 



9. When shall I plow? How deep? 



10. What other treatment will be necessary to make a fine seed bed? 

 IV. What seed shall I plant? 



1. What variety of alfalfa will be best for this section? 



2. Where can I secure seed that will be best suited to this section? 



3. Have I planned to secure my seed sufficiently early? 



4. What precautions shall I take to be assured that the seed is free from 



noxious weeds? 



5. What would be a reasonable price for good seed? 



6. How shall I determine if the seed is of strong vitality? 

 V. How shall I seed my plat? 



1. In what season shall I sow the seed? 



2. What evidence do I have that the soil needs inoculation? 



3. What method of inoculation shall I use? 



4. Where shall I obtain the culture or soil? 



5. What specific directions shall I follow in inoculation? 



6. What method of seeding shall I use? 



7. Shall I use a nurse crop? 



8. At what rate shall the seeding be done? 



1 The form of lime and the rate of application may be factors which are to be tested or demonstrated. 



