SUMMARY OF ALFALFA 
SOWING. 
Before sowing alfalfa some things must be known. 
Has the land lime enough? Test it by putting a 
little in a porcelain cup and pouring dilute muriatic 
acid over it. If it effervesces, or bubbles, even mod- 
erately, it has sufficient lime. Some soils that have 
lime enough for alfalfa will not visibly effervesce, 
however, so if any bubbling is seen one can rest as- 
sured that he has lime enough. 
He can guess at the matter by observation. Does 
the land grow red clover vigorously? Does it grow 
melilotus (sweet clover) naturally? Does it grow 
bluegrass spontaneously? Then it may have enough 
lime. Nevertheless, if no effervescence can be seen 
in either soil or subsoil one must suspect a lack of 
lime. If chestnut trees and pines grow, one must 
suspect a serious lime need. 
Liming.—Ground limestone is surely the best 
source of lime. From 4 to 8 tons to the acre, or 
more if it is conveniently at hand, should be used. 
In north Georgia on red clay loam soil I applied 
varying amounts from 7 tons to 17 tons per acre 
of rather coarsely-ground limestone. The strongest 
alfalfa, really wonderful, is on land having the most 
limestone. Four tons of finely-ground limestone has 
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