ALFALFA DISEASES. 
Mention has frequently been made to the appear- 
ance of rust on alfalfa leaves. It will appear in 
almost all parts of the humid states after alfalfa has 
grown about 40 days. During hot and humid 
weather it will be worst. On poorly drained soils it 
will be worse than on dry soils. When alfalfa suffers 
lack of inoculation it will be worst of all, and incur- 
able till inoculation has been given. There is no cure 
for the disease unless one can remove the inducing 
causes. If the land is wet, drain it. If it needs in- 
oculation, attend to that. Lack of lime is an inducing 
cause. When the soil is fit rust troubles hardly at 
all. It appears on lower leaves slightly at time when 
the crop should be cut and made into hay. By the 
time rust appears again it will be cutting time again. 
It is worth mention again that too early mowing in- 
duces rust. 
Alfalfa Root Rot—Alfalfa roots can not endure 
submergence in water in warm weather. If the Jand 
fills up and stands full of water for a time when the 
sun is hot the alfalfa will die. If it stands not quite 
full, but with the subsoil full the roots will decay at 
the water line. Thus the field will suddenly begin 
to fail and the owner may wonder why. I have had 
fields on Woodland fail in this manner when tiles he- 
came obstructed and rainfall was excessive. I have 
observed similar instences in Louisiana and other 
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