100 ALFALFA FARMING IN AMERICA. 
that most seed is produced during fairly dry years. 
The alfalfa grown on high, dry land without irriga- 
tion seeds best. Large crops are grown by irriga- 
tion on dry lands, but the irrigation has to be very 
carefully done not to water the alfalfa too much. 
When alfalfa is growing rapidly and has abundant 
moisture, for some reason not well understood it 
does not produce seed; the blooms fall and growth 
continues. On the other hand, when moisture is 
deficient and conditions are much less favorable 
seed sets abundantly. It is perhaps the old trick of 
Dame Nature making abundant provision against 
the extermination of any of her children by provid- 
ing bloom and fruit and seed whenever the exist- 
ence of the mother is attacked. 
Attempts to grow alfalfa seed in any state east of 
the Missouri River is apt to result in much disap- 
pointment. The humid climate, the lack perhaps 
of suitable insects to fertilize, and the attacks of 
rust that affects the leaves make it a very uncertain 
crop. There are times, however, during very dry 
seasons, when thin stands of alfalfa in the eastern 
states will mature profitable crops of seed, 
