150 CLOVERS 



weeds be excessive before the mowing is done, it 

 would then be necessary to remove them, in order 

 to avoid smothering the. plants. The clipping back 

 of the alfalfa plants is helpful, rather than hurtful. 

 When not thus clipped back the leaves frequently 

 assume a yellowish tint on the top of the plants, 

 which gradually extends downward until the greater 

 portion of the leaves may be thus affected. Such a 

 condition frequently betokens a lack of nitrogen, 

 but it may also be induced by other causes. When 

 it does appear, the mower should at once be used 

 and also as often as it appears. As soon as mowed 

 off the plants usually stool out, sending up fresh 

 shoots more numerously. They thus form a crown, 

 somewhat like the crown in clover plants. Root 

 growth is also strengthened, and- the plants are thus 

 made much stronger for going into the winter. 

 Each clipping during the season, of course, cuts 

 down weeds and prevents them from making seed. 

 If not thus clipped, they would frequently injure 

 the crop more by shade and crowding than would 

 a nurse crop. The mulch thus made through clip- 

 ping back the plants is in many instances quite help- 

 ful to them, because of the check which it gives to 

 the escape of ground moisture. There is some dif- 

 ference in the view held as to whether close clipping 

 is preferable, but the balance of authority is in favor 

 of reasonably close clipping. 



Alfalfa is usually sown alone, but in some in- 

 stances it may be advantageous to sow more or less of 

 some other kind or kinds of grass or clover along with 

 it. When grown for hay it is usually preferable to 



