56 THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



used poor implements, with feeding gears not well regu- 

 lated, or possibly they have not known how to use the 

 drills. Many who object to the broadcast method have 

 had little training or skill in it. It is reasonable to sup- 

 pose, however, that given soil in fine tilth, and a good 

 drill rightly adjusted, there will be a more even, and 

 hence a more economical distribution and a better and 

 more uniform covering of the seed. It is also claimed that 

 drilling secures a more uniform distribution of soil moist- 

 ure. The general opinion is that by sowing with a drill, 

 properly regulated, one can safely use five pounds less of 

 seed per acre. Some alfalfa raisers use a wheelbarrow 

 seeder; others use a kind of swing seeder strapped to the 

 sower's body ; still others, who have had training in the 

 old-fashoined method of broadcasting, declare it the best, 

 but the experiment stations of practically all the states, 

 and most up-to-date farmers, favor the use of the press 

 drill. A very common method when using the drill is to 

 mix an equal quantity of wheat bran, corn meal, or alfalfa 

 meal with the seed, as aids to an even distribution and 

 a not too excessive seeding. At the Kansas agricultural 

 college farm, success has followed broadcasting; and 

 when the drill has been used no particular advantage from 

 cross-drilling was discovered. 



HOW MUCH SEmjy TO THE ACRE? 



Reports of seed sown, varying from six to sixty 

 pounds to the acre, indicate much ignorance of the nature 

 of the alfalfa plant; or a great recklessness and extrava- 

 gance. Twenty pounds to the acre, if all seeds 



