218 



ALFALFA FARMING IN AMERICA. 



esting test of this very matter and tlie results are 

 herewith recorded: 



The Ohio station put out a thick and thin seeding test of 

 alfalfa June 27, 1907, at the rates of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 pounds 

 of seed per acre. The seed was distributed through the grass- 

 seeding attachment of an ordinary wheat drill after repeated and 

 careful testing. It was dropped in front of and covered by the 

 drill hoes. 



The results of this test thus far appear in the following table: 



THICK AND THIN SEEDING OF ALFALFA. 



SEED USED PER ACEE. 



No. plants 

 per sq. foot 

 July 31,1907. 



No. plants 

 per sa. toot 

 May 2, 1908. 



Total pounds hay 

 per acre, 1908 

 (3 cuttings). 



5 pounds 

 10 pounds 

 15 pounds 

 20 pounds 

 25 pounds 



45 

 66 

 70 



11 

 27 

 34 

 44 

 49 



7,862 

 8,648 

 8,678 

 8,667 

 7,876 



It will be noted that the maximum yield was harvested from 

 the plot receiving 15 pounds of seed per acre, but that 10 pounds 

 of seed gave within 30 pounds of as large a yield of hay per 

 acre. The yield from 20 pounds of seed is somewhat lower than 

 from 10 and 15 pounds, and the yield from 25 pounds decidedly 

 lower, exceeding the yield from 5 pounds by an insignificant 

 amount. 



It should be stated that 5 pounds of seed per acre proved a 

 little light in so far as holding the weeds in check is concerned. 

 If a few large weeds had not been removed from this plot it 

 would have presented a somewhat ragged appearance. This 

 being done the quality of the alfalfa was aS satisfactory as on 

 any plot. 



This ground was in ideal condition for alfalfa when seeded, 

 having been plowed some eight weeks previous and harrowed at 

 intervals of 10 to 20 days until seeded. Under such conditions 

 10 to 15 pounds of seed per acre would seem to be enough. It is 

 to be doubted whether more than 15 pounds of alfalfa seed per 

 acre is needed in this state when a good seed bed is prepared, 

 and it is surely cheaper to prepare such a seed bed than to buy 

 alfalfa seed to waste among clods, or in a loose, dried out soil. 



As a matter of experience extending over many 

 years I advise the use of 15 to 20 pounds of seed 

 for ordinary soils and under ordinary conditions. 



