Il6 AI<FAI<FA 



the streams overflow and the fields are sometimes 

 covered with water for three or four days in the spring. 

 Such an overflowing usually causes immediate death 

 to the alfalfa. These unfavorable conditions are found 

 on so small an area of land in this state that they are 

 hardly worth considering, but in individual cases are 

 quite serious. 



' ' Good corn ground is good ground for alfalfa. A 

 general rule may be given that it may be grown profit- 

 ably on any land on which cottonwood trees and corn 

 successfully grow to maturity. It requires a well- 

 drained, thoroughly pulverized soil free from weeds, 

 and the soil should be in good condition with regard 

 to moisture at the time of seeding. Seeding may be 

 done successfully at any time in Kansas between April 

 ist and September 15th, when these conditions are 

 found. Much of the land in eastern Kansas has been 

 tilled for many years and is weedy. The best suc- 

 cess on this usually comes by previously raising a 

 corn crop on the land and keeping it thoroughly 

 cultivated and free from weeds. The following 

 spring an early maturing crop should be planted, such 

 as oats or millet. Harvest this early, immediately 

 plow the ground, and harrow each day the land that 

 has been plowed that day. Then harrow or cultivate 

 the entire field once in ten days until the first soaking 

 rain comes, between August ist and September 15th. 

 Then seed to alfalfa. Mature alfalfa gets its nitrogen 

 from the air, and is one of our most hardy plants in 

 securing nitrogen. The infant alfalfa plant is one of 

 the weakest grown and is especially feeble in securing 

 nitrogen, and without a liberal supply of this cannot 

 live. The frequent summer tillage advised for pre- 



