152 CLOVERS 



alfalfa is a good one, providing the alfalfa is cut for 

 a jear or two, and is then grazed, as by that time 

 grasses indigenous to the locality, or which grow 

 well in the same, come in to such an extent as to 

 form a very considerable proportion of the pasture. 

 Blue grass frequently behaves thus in the North, 

 and crab grass in the South. 



The amounts of seed to sow will vary with the 

 character of the soil and climate, with the use that 

 is to be made of the alfalfa, and with the manner 

 in which it is sown. On soils and in climates quite 

 favorable to the growth of alfalfa it is common to 

 sow more seed than in those with less adaptation, 

 and with a view, probably, to check coarseness in 

 the growth of the stems. If sown thinly in such 

 areas, the rank growth which follows would be 

 coarse. This explains why in the Western and 

 mountain States more seed is usually sown than 

 in the Eastern and Northern States. Averaging 

 the whole country, 20 pounds of seed per acre is 

 more frequently mentioned as the proper amount to 

 sow than any other quantity. In the Northern 

 States many growers sow 15 pounds per acre, and 

 judging by the yield obtained, this amount of seed 

 has proved satisfactory. Some growers even men- 

 tion 10 to 12 pounds as satisfactory. The amounts 

 last named are certainly too small for average con- 

 ditions. Fifteen to 20 pounds may be fixed upon as 

 the proper amounts to sow on soil in good condition 

 for speedy germination. But many growers claim 

 satisfactory results from sowing larger amounts of 

 seed than those named. Under semi-arid conditions, 



