TREATMENT OP THE YOUNG AI<PAI,FA 3 1 



possible condition. It is very exadl in its requiren 

 ments, and for negledl of these while young it refuses 

 to respond when older. 



TREATMENT OP THE YOUNG AI<PAI<PA 



The first few months of its life is the critical period. 

 After acquiring several pairs of leaves it will endure a 

 great deal of hot weather, but will not withstand wet 

 to the same degree. The irrigator can control the 

 water, while all the non-irrigator can do is to so 

 manage as to avoid as much as possible unfavorable 

 conditions. Should a heavy rain settle the soil to- 

 gether and form a crust, a light harrow should be 

 used to break it. Even if considerable of the seed 

 has sprouted the harrowing will be more a benefit 

 than harm. A crust over the alfalfa seed is death to 

 the young plants — they break their necks trying to 

 get through — so there is nothing to lose by harrowing 

 and everything to gain. 



Alfalfa is invigorated by cutting at frequent inter- 

 vals, the cutting tending to prevent the produdlion of 

 seed. Bearing seed is an exhausting process to any 

 plant. It is asserted that a seed-crop taken from an 

 old field of alfalfa is as exhausting as three earlier 

 cuttings of hay. The sickle-bar should be set so as 

 not to cut too close to the ground. It is a mistake to 

 mow the young alfalfa field only for getting rid of the 

 weeds — a secondary consideration; it should be mowed 

 at such frequent intervals that there will not be enough 

 of the clippings to smother the plants when left on the 

 field for mulch. In a growthful season once every 

 two weeks may not be too often, and the other limit 

 may be determined somewhat by the rapidity of the 



