506 



ALFALFA FARMING IN AMERICA, 



Our first step was to put in the spring-tooth alfal- 

 fa harrow and loosen the surface, where little fox- 

 tail grass was just showing. This was done imme- 

 diately after the hay was taken away. Then fol- 

 lowed the fertilizer distributor with basic slag at 

 the rate of 500 pounds per acre, as nearly as we 

 could estimate, putting it on in strips and leaving 



THE SI'UING-TOOTH ALFALITA IIAUUOW. 



strips unfertilized. For comparison, we alno usod 

 acid phosphate, in similar strips. The field was 

 then harrowed again crossways witli the alfalfa 

 harrow. This turned over every inch of tlic soil, 

 running about 3" deep, and left a clean surface. Dry 

 weather followed and the result was not so striking, 

 as we had hoped to see, until after the next cutting 



