70 AI.PALFA 



ALFALFA IN ROTATION 



Because alfalfa does not produce a crop generally 

 the first year, and is not at its prime until three years 

 old, it does not appear so well adapted to rotation as 

 some other crops. This is largely because a rotation 

 lasting four or five years does not conform to general 

 experience. 



Where alfalfa is allowed to succeed itself year after 

 year, a large proportion of the benefit which might be 

 derived from its power to enrich the soil is lost. 

 Alfalfa itself has little use for the atmospheric nitrogen 

 which it stores in the soil, nor for the surplus of ash 

 elements which it draws from the subsoil, for it can 

 draw more from the same sources as they are needed. 

 Unless alfalfa is soon followed by crops that need and 

 can make use of the fertility which it has rendered 

 available, this fertility is in a considerable measure 

 wasted. The only method of growing alfalfa so that 

 the most benefit may be derived from it is to make it 

 part of a rotation. A non-leguminous crop following a 

 few seasons' growth of alfalfa will make use of the fer- 

 tility gathered, to the marked profit of the planter. 



In Colorado, where alfalfa is grown extensively 

 and as well understood as in any other state, it is 

 common practice of the best farmers to grow it in rota- 

 tion with other crops. They make it a rule to allow 

 their alfalfa plantings to stand four or five years only, 

 and it may be observed that as a usual thing the fann- 

 ers who grow alfalfa on the same lands without a 

 change are of the same general class as those who crop 

 their land to wheat successively for a long period of 

 years. Those who have tried it are thoroughly con- 

 vinced by experience that it pays much better to break 



