SUMMARY OF ALFALFA SOWING. 489 
spring-sown alfalfa to grow untouched for from 
forty-five to sixty days, or so long as it is making 
thrifty growth in height. When the time comes that 
it has ceased to stretch upward, look down at the 
ground and see if small shoots have appeared at the 
crowns, denoting its desire to make a new growth. 
If these shoots have come, cut the field at once, and 
cut it close to the earth. This invigorates the al- 
falfa, and it comes up stronger the second time. 
Watch it again and when it has stood forty to fifty 
days one can see again the cessation of growth with 
the coming of new shoots. Now cut it the second 
time. Rake off any hay that it may make. After 
this second cutting it ought to have a strong enough 
root for careful cultivation. 
Alfalfa can be harrowed the same year it is 
sown, if it is strong and deep-rooted, but one must 
do it with care not to loosen and draw out the plants. 
It is better to suffer the grasses than to tear out the 
alfalfa. It will, however, hold on astonishingly when 
it has grown well for sixty to eighty days. One 
must use discretion, and harrow the first year if the 
alfalfa is strongly rooted and crabgrass threatens, 
but do the work with care. Omit the harrowing if 
weeds do not seriously threaten. 
Establishing Alfalfa in Georgia—In north 
Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee are mountain val- 
leys where hard limestone is abundant and fairly 
fertile clay loams abound. It is a land easily made 
very fertile, although at present quite generally im- 
poverished. In the north Georgia region is a beauti- 
