212 FORAGE CROPS 
Owing to the practically permanent character 
of alfalfa, it will well repay the expense of careful 
and thorough preparation of the land. This is very 
important in order to secure a good “stand.” -If 
the subsoil is hard and compact, the subsoil plow 
should be used. If a piece of sod land is to be 
converted into an alfalfa field, it should be plowed 
and planted with some cultivated crop the first 
year or two, in order to put the soil into good 
physical condition as well as to destroy all tufts 
of grasses which may spread, as grass is the worst 
enemy of alfalfa. It is desirable to have the soil 
somewhat compact for the seed, and therefore, it 
is better not to sow alfalfa on new-plowed ground. 
Plowing should be completed as long before sow- 
ing as possible, and the land should be rolled to 
compact it, and afterward lightly harrowed to 
leave the surface finely pulverized, and to prevent 
loss of moisture. 
Manures and fertilizers 
_ Alfalfa is a heavy feeder, and will not thrive on 
‘lands deficient in plant-food. It is especially de- 
sirable that the soil contain abundance of lime, 
both in order to supply the needs of the plant and 
to correct any possible acidity, for, as already 
stated, acid soils are unfavorable for the growth 
and development of the organisms that are neces- 
