DISKING AND GULTIVATING. 
In some regions it is a practice to disk alfalfa once 
or more each year. In Kansas and Oklahoma it is 
often practiced to disk once in the spring and again 
after each cutting as soon as the hay can be removed 
from the ground. It is believed that disking con- 
serves much moisture and otherwise promotes the 
growth of the alfalfa. It has often been asserted 
that the disking splits the crowns and thus thickens 
up the stand. This is as though one were to split 
down the tree trunks in his orebard ‘‘to thicken the 
stand.’’ The splitting of alfalfa crowns can do noth- 
ing but harm and often starts a decay of root that 
ends in the death of the plant. However, the result 
of disking is often beneficial when done in early 
spring, before growth sets in. It certainly deters 
weed and grass growth and lets air and water into 
the soil. Later diskings help in some regions and 
soils and do mischief in others. The main beneficial 
effect of disking is the conservation of moisture and 
destruction of weeds or grasses. 
In Louisiana disking alfalfa seems beneficial on 
the whole. In Kansas it is much practiced and some 
think it very helpful, while others declare that ex- 
cessive disking materially reduces the yield. On 
Woodland Farm disking when fertilizer was sown 
at the same time has done wonders; disking alone 
has in some instances decreased the yield. 
(254) 
