SUMMARY OF ALFALFA 

 SOWING. 



Before sowing alfalfa some things must be known. 

 Has the land lime enough? Test it by putting a 

 little in a porcelain cup and pouring dilute muriatic 

 acid over it. If it effervesces, or bubbles, even mod- 

 erately, it has sufficient lime. Some soils that have 

 lime enough for alfalfa will not visibly effervesce, 

 however, so if any bubbling is seen one can rest as- 

 sured that he has lime enough. 



He can guess at the matter by observation. Does 

 the land grow red clover vigorously? Does it grow 

 melilotus (sweet clover) naturally? Does it grow 

 bluegraws spontaneously? Then it may have enough 

 lime. Nevertheless, if no effervescence can be seen 

 in either soil or subsoil one must suspect a lack of 

 lime. If chestnut trees and pines grow, one must 

 suspect a serious lime need. 



Liming. — Ground limestone is surely the best 

 source of lime. From 4 to 8 tons to the acre, or 

 more if it is conveniently at hand, should be used. 

 In north Georgia on red clay loam soil I applied 

 varying amounts from 7 tons to 17 tons per acre 

 of rather coarsely-ground limestone. Ilie strongest 

 alfalfa, really wonderful, is on land having the most 

 limestone, Four tons of finely-ground limestone has 



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