218 FORAGE CROPS 



If the oats lodge, cut them for hay the next day. 

 Oat hay is a good thing to have, if it is properly 

 cured. When barley seed is not available, oats 

 may be used with good results, if care is taken 

 to mow on time. 



After the nurse -crop is cut away, let the alfalfa 

 alone. It will start into growth promptly, and 

 if the soil is fertile and well inoculated, the crop 

 will make rapid growth for a time, usually for 

 about fifty days. As long as it continues to grow 

 thriftily, do not cut. If a rust appears, it should 

 be clipped close, which will check or destroy the 

 disease. 



Unless seeded, early alfalfa ordinarily will not 

 " make sufficient growth before midsummer to with- 

 stand the weeds and drought. Where the winters 

 are not too severe, the trouble with weeds may be 

 avoided by seeding the last of August or after 

 danger of crab-grass is passed; when seeded at 

 this season the weeds are not likely to take posses- 

 sion during the fall and sufficient growth will be 

 made to enable the plants to withstand the winter. 

 The crop from late summer seeding should not be 

 cut the first fall, even though a considerable stand 

 is secured, but left as a protection in winter. 

 There will be no danger of smothering, as the 

 plants will usually stand erect rather than go down. 



Care should be taken that the seed is not put 

 in too deep — this is very important and is often 



