37 



CLIMATE. 



Alfalfa is less hardy than red clover and is adapted to a milder cli- 

 mate j still it has stood the winters safely as far north as Vermont, New 

 York, and Michigan, though farther west, where less protected by snow, 

 it winter-kills more or less even as far south as Texas. The young 

 plants are very susceptible to frost, and the mature plants, if not killed 

 by the cold winters of the North ern States, are so weakened that they 

 endure there for a much shorter period than in milder climates. A cold 

 of 25 degrees is said to kill the tops, but in the Southern States the plant 

 quickly recovers from the effect of frost and grows most of the winter. 

 In the Northern States, even where it endures the winter, the yield is 

 so much less than at the South, that it has little or no advantage over 

 the common red clover. Farther south, however, even where both may 

 be grown, Alfalfa is often preferred, not only for its larger yield, but 

 also for its perennial character. Alfalfa is especially adapted to dry 

 climates, and withstands drought much better than the ordinary clovers. 



SOIL. 



Although Alfalfa improves the fertility of the soil it must have a rich 

 soil to start with, and it therefore is of little value as a renovator of 

 worn-out lands. It prefers sandy soils, if fertile. The failure on sandy 

 soils in the East and South has been mainly due to the lack of fertility 

 to give the young plants a good start and enable them to become deeply 

 rooted before the advent of drought. On this account it usually thrives 

 best on rich bottom lands. Lands that are tenacious and hold water 

 are not adapted to its culture unless well drained. Most of the lands 

 in the West upon which it is grown successfully have a permeable sub- 

 soil. When the soil permits, its roots penetrate to a great depth. 



Gases have frequently been observed of their reaching a depth of 12 

 or 15 feet, and depths of more than 20 feet have been reported. Hence, 

 after the plant is established, the character of the subsoil is of more 

 importance than that of the surface. 



CULTURE. 



Sow at any time that the ground is in suitable condition, and when 

 there will be time for the plants to become well established before they 

 are subjected either to drought or extreme cold. In the Northern States 

 the month of May will be about the right time. Farther south, in the 

 latitude of Northern Mississippi, September is probably the best month, 

 and in the extreme South, or in the warm valleys of California, any time 

 will answer from fall until spring. The soil should be thoroughly pre- 

 pared, and the seed sown at the rate of 15 to 20 pounds to the acre. If 

 sown broadcast, about the latter quantity will be required ; if in drills, 

 the former amount will be sufficient. If the raising of seed is the main 

 object, 12 or 14 pounds to the acre will give the best results, as the plants 



