234 '^■^^ BOOK OF ALFALFA 



and October; in fact, all the year, except from the middle 

 of April to the first of August, when it is so hot and dry- 

 here. The quantity of seed used varies with the prepara- 

 tion, from 12 to 20 pounds per acre. Sow with a 

 "Cahoon'' seeder, and cover with a brush or light harrow. 

 It is generally sown here with barley, wheat, or oats. 

 The grain is cut early for hay, or ripened and headed, in 

 which case the stubble and alfalfa are cut immediately 

 afterward and hauled off. The ground is then irrigated, 

 and if it has previously been foul, there will be plenty of 

 weeds. Another cutting in good time will usually eradi- 

 cate these. The plant will not winterkill here if old 

 enough to have four leaves before frost. We irrigate 

 abundantly, from the Gila river, in winter and spring, 

 filling up the soil and thus making less need for water 

 during the hot, dry period. Irrigate after each crop is 

 taken oflf, and some land is benefited by two irrigations 

 for each cutting. The quantity of water needed depends 

 on the character of the soil and subsoil ; some on the bot- 

 toms needs but little after the first year, and it is a good 

 plan, if the subsoil is open, to let the plant go without 

 artificial water after it has a good start, as it sends its 

 roots down to moisture or water, if at a reasonable depth 

 below ; it will then thrive on much less water, and the crop 

 will be more nutritious. If one is raising hay for quan- 

 tity, of course this does not apply. The four crops per 

 season yield on an average: First, ij4 to 2 tons; second 

 and third, i% to 4; fourth, three-fourths to one ton. If 

 cutting for quantity, mow when fairly in bloom; if fon 

 feeding, when the seed has formed. I have raised no 

 seed, but the crop used for that purpose is usually the sec- 



