286 ALFALFA FARMING IN AMERICA. 
is to turn out a part of the stream in the large cross 
or head ditch, letting it into the lesser ditch below. 
This ditch has been carefully opened into each fur- 
row. Now the water is to be carefully divided, so 
that each furrow will have its share and not a drop 
more. There is needed the least trickling stream in 
each furrow. If too much is turned in the land will 
wash, the seed be carried away, the land spoiled for 
later irrigations. If too little is turned in it will not 
reach through the rows. Thus the lower end of 
the field will make a poor stand. It should be so 
regulated that in about 24 hours water will be 
trickling through each row at the lower end and run- 
ning clear, with no cutting or washing anywhere. In 
some hot countries it is well to leave the water flow 
till the plants are germinated ana rooted. In other 
lands to soak well once will suffice to bring the al- 
falfa up, and it will root and grow for some weeks 
with the water already stored in the soil. 
Nurse Crops in Irrigated Regions.—As a rule it 
is better to use no nurse crop when sowing alfalfa 
in the dry country. I have sown with oats, however, 
and secured a fairly good stand. I have known it to 
be sown with spring wheat with good results. It is 
usually better, however, to sow alone. 
How Often to Irrigate—Usually once the alfalfa 
is up well it is good to let it get somewhat dry 
before giving the second irrigation. This sends the 
roots down well and to a degree deters the growth 
of weeds. The alfalfa ought never to suffer seri- 
ously for water before it is given, however. 
