286 FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



yield from one to two or more tons per acre, giving a total 

 production of from 3 to 8 tons. Alfalfa is used to some 

 extent as pasture, and is especially valuable for hogs. 

 Cattle, when pastured upon it, are subject to bloating, 

 but if the same precautions are taken as were suggested 

 for pasturing them on red clover, little trouble need be 

 experienced. Alfalfa does not form a compact sod, and 

 does not stand tramping nor close grazing well, and when 

 used for this purpose, a sufficient acreage should be grown 

 to permit of changing the stock from one field to another 

 from time to time to allow the new growth to come on. 

 Alfalfa is an excellent soiling crop, since new growth 

 comes on rapidly after cutting and a small acreage will 

 feed a comparatively large number of animals. 



CULTURAL METHODS 



290. Preparing the soil. — The manner of preparing 

 the seed bed for alfalfa will depend largely upon the pre- 

 ceding crop. There seems to be no one best way of 

 seeding alfalfa. Good stands may be secured when 

 greatly varying methods of seeding are practiced. In 

 some sections of the country seeding in the corn before 

 or just after the last cultivation has been very successful. 

 Likewise, seeding in the wheat or oats in the spring after 

 the manner of sowing clover has been successful in some 

 places. In many localities these methods have not 

 met with success, and a more careful preparation of the 

 seed bed is necessary. If this method is followed, the 

 land should be plowed early and cultivated carefully 

 with a harrow or cultivator until the weeds are killed and 

 then the seed will be sowed in a seed bed free from weeds 

 and at the same time well supplied with moisture. Some- 

 times it may be possible to follow early potatoes with 



