80 PRACTICAL CORN CULTURE 
covered to a depth of one-half to one inch by a light 
harrowing. 
We have never sown alfalfa seed with a nurse crop and 
are inclined to believe the results would be unsatisfactory. 
If the seed was sown in the spring it would, of course, be 
necessary to use a nurse crop of some kind to keep down 
weeds until the alfalfa could get a start; but spring sowing 
of alfalfa has not been so successful as fall sowing in 
Illinois and Iowa. 
Alfalfa should be cut when from one-third to one-half 
the blooms are out, or just after the new shoots have come 
out at the base. It should never be cut until after the new 
shoots have started. To cut before means a very weak suc- 
ceeding crop. If there is a considerable growth in the fall 
it should be either pastured or clipped before winter comes 
on. A light application of manure (with a manure spreader), 
in December will prevent alfalfa from being winter killed. 
Remember alfalfa, like corn, is a good money crop if it is 
properly put in on good fertile soil. Unlike clover, beans 
and peas, it is not a rotation crop. If a good stand of alfalfa 
is secured it will pay to leave it for four or five years. 
SweeEr CLOVER 
Sweet clover is a deep rooted legume, and is found grow- 
ing along the roadsides everywhere. No other legume has 
such a wide range of territory, nor will any other legume 
grow in as many types of soil or under such varied condi- 
tions. Because of its hardy nature and wonderful adapta- 
bility it is considered by most farmers as a weed. It hag been 
only in the last two years that farmers have taken kindly 
to sweet clover. The majority are still skeptical. Many 
admit that it is a good nitrogen gatherer but are afraid to 
give it a place on their farms for fear it will, as they say, 
“take the farm.’’ 
