THIRTY-SIXTH ANNUAL CONVENTION. 259 



the rain. Where cured in the windrow the side deHvery rake is 

 of great value in turning the hay and facilitating drying. 



The time to cut alfalfa may be determined by noting when 

 the plants begin to send out small shoots near the ground. It 

 should not be cut before these appear nor stand any length of 

 time thereafter. These shoots usually appear with the first 

 blooms, hence it is frequently recommended to cut when the first 

 blooms appear. 



Cultivation. 



Foxtail, crabgrass and bluegrass are the worst enemies of 

 alfalfa on most lands and especially on the thinner ones. The 

 cultivation of the alfalfa with a disk or springtooth harrow fol- 

 lowed by a drag harrow is usually sufficient to control these 

 grasses. After the first year there is practically no danger of in- 

 juring the alfalfa by such cultivation, even though it be quite 

 thorough. The cultivation should be given after the second and 

 third cuttings where possible rather than the first. 



