SEEDING GRASSES. 273 
The writer and his brother have worked with it for 
more than twelve years with no especial difficulty in 
its eradication when the land was plowed and 
planted to corn and well cultivated. 
Winter Grain in Alfalfa Fields—J. M. Westgate, 
of the Department of Agriculture, is sponsor for 
the subjoined: 
In the Southwest the mild winters and the occurrence of 
much of the rainfall during the colder months make it possible 
to seed wheat or barley in a stand of alfalfa after the last cutting 
and harvest it at the proper stage for hay the next spring with 
the first cutting of alfalfa. The presence of a crop of small 
grain during the winter months prevents the growth of trouble- 
some weeds, which sometimes almost ruin the first cutting of 
alfalfa. This practice has the further advantage of giving a 
mixed crop of alfalfa and grain hay, which is regarded as superior 
to pure alfalfa, owing to the scarcity in that section of feeds rich 
in carbohydrates or starchy matter. This method is also com- 
mendable when for any reason the stand has become thin, as 
through the action of field mice. The amount of grain to be 
seeded and disked in depends on the thickness of the stand of 
alfalfa. This practice has been followed for many years in cer- 
tain parts of the Southwest, although its value does not appear 
to be recognized to the extent that it apparently deserves. 
Alfalfa and Kentucky Bluegrass.——Kentucky blue- 
grass (Poa pratensis) loves alfalfa exceedingly well. 
When soil is made right for alfalfa, it is just right 
for bluegrass. Both love lime, both love fertile 
soils, both love well-drained soils. Alfalfa also 
fills the land with nitrogen, thus the bluegrass 
crowds in. Usually it is classed as a weed. Ina 
meadow devoted only to mowing it is a hindrance, 
though it will make a very heavy cutting of hay at 
the first cutting. The mixture also makes exceed- 
ingly good hay, especially for horses or cows. 
After bluegrass has run into. the alfalfa it makes 
