146 CLOVERS 



quite early spring. In some of the mountain States 

 the best results have been obtained under semi-arid 

 conditions from sowing the seed in the late autumn, 

 so that it would be ready for germination at the first 

 commencement of the period of growth in the 

 spring. Under some conditions the too dry char- 

 acter of the weather may preclude the sowing of al- 

 falfa in the summer and autumn months. Where 

 moisture is plentiful all the season of growth, alfalfa 

 may be sown almost any time, except the early 

 spring or late autumn. Where irrigating waters are 

 plentiful, the only hindrances to sowing alfalfa at 

 any season of the year are such as may arise from 

 climate. Far South in very mild areas it may be 

 sown almost any time. 



Where the temperatures are low in winter, the 

 best results are obtained from sowing alfalfa in the 

 spring and early summer, otherwise the plants do 

 not become sufficiently well established to withstand 

 the rigors of the winter following. Under some con- 

 ditions, sufficiently satisfactory results follow sow- 

 ing in the early summer, even in Northern latitudes. 

 Where the winters are sufficiently mild and the 

 moisture is sufficiently plentiful, early autumn sow- 

 ing, as in August or September, according to the 

 locality, is, all things considered, the most satisfac- 

 tory, for the reason, first, that it follows, or may 

 follow, a crop grown the same season ; second, that 

 the plants are less hindered in their growth by weeds 

 when they are young; and third, that they produce 

 crops of soiling food or hay the first season after 

 sowing. Many weeds do not grow in autumn an^ 



