HABIT OF GROWTH. 95 
the land and re-seeding. Liberal fertilizing is done 
each year and thus quite heavy crops of hay are 
grown, although it has been learned that the alfalfa 
will not go through a second winter, the roots de- 
caying about 6” below the surface. Doubtless the 
acidity of the subsoil is responsible in large measure 
for this result. If large amounts of lime could be 
applied to the surface just before plowing and thus 
turned under in direct contact with the sour sub- 
soil, in time even this land could be made to carry 
alfalfa more than one year. It is interesting and 
useful, however, to know that the alfalfa pays well 
to be resown each year when this is necessary. 
Essentials in Culture.—Alfalfa is no Laodicean. 
When it is healthy it is one of the happiest plants 
in the world, and when diseased one of the feeblest 
and most miserable. Fortunately making it healthy 
is pretty easy; it speaks in no uncertain tones and 
makes its wants known. The writer frequently takes 
a walk to the village along an old railway embank- 
ment, made in large part from limestone gravel, sur- 
faced with that and with limestone screenings from 
the crusher. The clay in it is of limestone formation. 
It could not be said that this soil was exceptional in 
any wav except that it is thoroughly drained, and 
has in it much lime. Scattered alfalfa plants grow 
along this embankment. For years they have grown 
and seeded there. They are beautifully green and 
vigorous plants and they never seem to get old. The 
writer, wandering down the railway line reflects, 
‘‘Why, here these plants in themselves tell all that 
