IN THB DIFFERENT STATES I43 



heavy growth of alfalfa. It helps hold up the alfalfa, 

 and aids in curing it, as the timothy dries first. 

 This mixture improves the quality of the hay, espe- 

 cially for horses. In the Syracuse market it is readily 

 bought by the horsemen, and usually brings within 

 one dollar a ton as much as clear timothy. 



' ' I have seen fields this year, during a severe 

 drouth, yield three tons to the acre at the first cut- 

 ting, and half as much at the second cutting. Instead 

 of cutting the third time, the October and November 

 growth is pastured. It has been found this does no 

 harm, if the ground is firm. The pasturing should 

 not be too close, if it is desired to mow the following 

 year. 



" It is a complete exterminator of Canada thistles. 

 In sight of my place is a field, part of which is timothy 

 and clover, which is covered with thistles, while the 

 alfalfa part is clear of them, after cutting for two 

 years. 



' ' The methods of seeding are various. I have seeded 

 with one and a half bushels of oats, using six quarts 

 of alfalfa and four quarts of timothy; harrowed and 

 rolled after seeding. Some seed on winter wheat. If 

 this is done, do not sow as early as is often done with 

 clover, and when sown the ground should be harrowed 

 with a smoothing-harrow. A clean bed is desired. A 

 corn-field or potato ground which has been well tilled 

 makes a desirable seed-bed. It can be sown alone or 

 with a light seeding of oats or barley. The soil should 

 be free from standing water during the winter. It 

 does the best on a soil without hard-pan. It roots 

 deep and will stand a drouth, for the reason that it 

 will find the moisture. If ground is drained with tile 



