SUMMARY OP ALFALFA SOWING. 489 



spring-sown alfalfa to grow untouched for from 

 forty-five to sixty days, or so long as it is making 

 thrifty growth in height. When the time comes that 

 it has ceased to stretch upward, look down at the 

 ground and see if small shoots have appeared at the 

 crowns, denoting its desire to make a new growth. 

 If these shoots have come, cut the field at once, and 

 cut it close to the earth. This invigorates the al- 

 falfa, and it comes up stronger the second time. 

 Watch it again and when it has stood forty to fifty 

 days one can see again the cessation of growth with 

 the coming of new shoots. Now cut it the second 

 time. Rake off any hay that it may make. After 

 this second cutting it ought to have a strong enough 

 root for careful cultivation. 



Alfalfa can be harrowed the same year it is 

 sown, if it is strong and deep-rooted, but one must 

 do it with care not to loosen and draw out the plants. 

 It is better to suffer the grasses than to tear out the 

 alfalfa. It will, however, hold on astonishingly when 

 it has grown well for sixty to eighty days. One 

 must use discretion, and harrow the first year if the 

 alfalfa is strongly rooted and crabgrass threatens, 

 but do the work with care. Omit the harrowing if 

 weeds do not seriously threaten. 



Establishing Alfalfa in Georgia. — In north 

 Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee are mountain val- 

 leys where hard limestone is abundant and fairly 

 fertile clay loams abound. It is a land easily made 

 very fertile, although at present quite generally im- 

 poverished. In the north Georgia region is a beauti- 



