PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES 269 



food IS readily available, strong, vigorous growth and a 

 good stand can be secured during any normal year. We 

 have alfalfa growing at the northwest sub-station at 

 Crookston, and in several localities in the northwestern 

 part of the state, where even clover is not supposed to 

 grow. The outlook at the present time for this crop is 

 very bright. Dairymen, swine raisers and sheep men unite 

 in praising its merits as stock food. 



MISSOTJBI. 



Prof. M. F, Miller, ^Agronomist, Missouri experiment 

 station. — ^Alfalfa is being grown with success on various 

 types of soil, although many soils are not well adapted 

 to its growth. A knowledge of the peculiarities of the 

 plant will ultimately make it possible to extend its culture 

 to most soil types of the state. Liberal manuring is the 

 key to successful culture on upland soils. The manure 

 may be applied before plowing and also as frequent top- 

 dressings. The value of the crop as a feed and its high 

 yield, where favorable conditions are supplied, make it 

 a particularly desirable one to grow, at least in small areas, 

 on farms where mixed farming or dairy farming is prac- 

 ticed. While alfalfa makes a most nutritious pasture 

 crop, it does not lend itself well to pasturing unless certain 

 precautions are taken. Where it is grown for hay, diffi- 

 culty is often experienced in harvesting the first, and some- 

 times other cuttings, on account of wet weather. The silo 

 may 6e used in such cases. The stiff subsoils of the state 

 are responsible for most failures reported, because it re- 

 quires some knowledge of the methods of handling the 

 crop to make it succeed under such conditions. Alfalfa 



