298 ALFALFA FARMING IN AMERICA. 
that will help and that is to run the manure spreader 
over the land and cover it lightly with manure. Do 
not bury it too deep, though alfalfa will in the 
spring come up through quite a little litter. This 
mulching should be done in November, though it 
may be done later if it is not done then. This is the 
one permissible intrusion into an alfalfa field, to 
spread lightly over it manure for protection of the 
crowns. When I say lightly I mean a layer thick 
enough to cover the land about so that one can not 
see the earth through the litter. Some men’s ideas 
of a light covering are airy in the extreme. This 
manure will do no harm in the hay next season. 
The rain will have washed it clean, it will have lost 
most of its weight and anyway will have settled 
down so close to the earth that the rake will not 
gather very much of it. What is taken up will not 
damage the hay. 
