482 ALFALFA FARMING IN AMERICA. 
too leafy, the plant too prone to lodge: One gets a 
far better stand, as a rule, to sow barley instead of 
oats. We have done considerable experimental work 
with winter rye, sown out of season in April or May 
as a nurse-crop for alfalfa. Some of the best stands 
we have ever had were secured in this manner. In 
midsummer the rye dies, leaving the land to the al- 
falfa, which then makes rapid growth. If rye is 
used, however, sow no more than half a bushel to the 
acre or else it will perhaps stool so that it will be- 
come too thick. Winter wheat sown in April or May 
at the rate of half a bushel or 3 pecks to the acre 
seems to do about the same as the rye; it keeps down 
weeds and foxtail grass, does not head, makes in 
midsummer a fine, leafy hay of no very great 
amount, and dies then and gives the land to the 
alfalfa. 
Comparing these three permissible nurse-crops 
we are yet undetermined. The beardless barley 
gives us the most hay and seemingly perfect stands 
of alfalfa. The stands from the use of winter wheat 
and rye are perhaps even better. I advise the read- 
er to test the matter for himself, on his own soil, 
taking care, however, not to sow rye thicker than 
half a bushel to the acre. 
What to Do with the Nurse-Crops.—Watch the al- 
falfa and the nurse. If the latter shows any tend- 
ency to lodge and smother the alfalfa, eut it off 
immediately for hay. When the barley is fairly in 
head the alfalfa will be ready for its first cutting; 
that is, will have formed its basal shoots, ready to 
