218 ALFALFA FARMING IN AMERICA. 
esting test of this very matter and the results are 
herewith recorded: 
The Ohio station put out a thick and thin seeding test of 
alfalfa June 27, 1907, at the rates of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 pounds 
of seed per acre. The seed was distributed through the grass- 
seeding attachment of an ordinary wheat drill after repeated and 
careful testing. It was dropped in front of and covered by the 
drill hoes. 
The results of this test thus far appear in the following table: 
THICK AND THIN SEEDING OF ALFALFA. 
No. plants | No. plants |Total pounds hay 
SEED USED PER ACRE. per sq. foot | per sq. foot per acre, 1908 
July 81, 1907.] May 2, 1908. (3 cuttings). 
5 pounds 13 11 7,862 
10 pounds. 83 27 8,648 
15 pounds, 45 34 8,678 
20 pounds . 56 44 8,557 
25 pounds 70 49 7,876 
It will be noted that the maximum yield was harvested from 
the plot receiving 15 pounds of seed per acre, but that 10 pounds 
of seed gave within 30 pounds of as large a yield of hay per 
acre. The yield from 20 pounds of seed is somewhat lower than 
from 10 and 15 pounds, and the yield from 25 pounds decidedly 
lower, exceeding the yield from 5 pounds by an insignificant 
amount. z 
It should be stated that 5 pounds of seed per acre proved a 
little light in so far as holding the weeds in check is concerned. 
If a few large weeds had not been removed from this plot it 
would have presented a somewhat ragged appearance. This 
being done the quality of the alfalfa was as satisfactory as on 
any plot. 
This ground was in ideal condition for alfalfa when seeded, 
having been plowed some eight weeks previous and harrowed at 
intervals of 10 to 20 days until seeded. Under such conditions 
10 to 15 pounds of seed per acre would seem to be enough. It is 
to be doubted whether more than 15 pounds of alfalfa seed per 
acre is needed in this state when a good seed bed is prepared, 
and it is surely cheaper to prepare such a seed bed than to buy 
alfalfa seed to waste among clods, or in a loose, dried out soil. 
As a matter of experience extending over many 
years I advise the use of 15 to 20 pounds of seed 
for ordinary soils and under ordinary conditions. 
