22 BULLETIN 889, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
DESTROYING SWEET CLOVER, WEEDS, AND WASTE ALFALFA. 
As has been already pointed out, the first brood of the clover stem- 
borer in the southwestern United States is largely passed upon yellow 
sweet clover, while portions of the other broods in this same section, 
as well as other sections of the country, develop upon various kinds 
of weeds. It is thus readily seen that if that portion of the first 
generation or brood upon yellow sweet clover is entirely eliminated 
by cutting down, pasturing, or otherwise destroying all sweet clover 
growing along ditch banks, roadsides, and fence rows, then there 
will be many less females to oviposit in the oncoming crops of alfalfa 
or clover. 
A great many farmers, in cutting either an alfalfa or clover hay 
crop, allow a strip to remain uncut along fence rows and ditch banks, 
and in these places all borers. that are present and which are able to 
escape their parasites are allowed to go through to the adult stage ina 
thrifty condition. Thus, such places serve as continual sources of 
infestation for the new coming alfalfa crop. Where stock is available, 
a great many farmers are in the habit of turning cattle into a hay 
field for a few days immediately after removing a hay crop, allowing 
these to clean up completely all alfalfa which remains standing or falls. 
-ontheground. Thisis avery excellent practice and one that should be 
encouraged at all times. Jn case cattle are not available, then this 
waste alfalfa or red clover should be cut either by scythe or hand 
sickle and removed from the ground with the hay crop. 
In irrigated regions where the farmer is continually confronted 
with weeds, clover, and waste alfalfa growing upon ditch banks, two 
very excellent methods of control for keeping these places free from 
weeds are available: One is to cultivate the ditches and ditch banks 
continually, thus keeping down all foreign growth; another method, 
and one that can be accomplished with benefit to the rancher, is that 
of fencing all ditch banks and pasturing, preferably by sheep, which 
are adept at keeping down waste growth. (See Pl. I, figs. 2 and 3.) 
HARVESTING METHODS. 
It is well to point out at this time that where alfalfa or clover is 
pastured the borers are unable to develop. It is only in waste 
places or where haying is practiced that they are able to reach 
maturity. 
HAYING. 
Tf the farmer will acquaint himself with the nature of the injury 
done by this insect in either alfalfa or red clover hay and the ap- 
pearance of the egg holes in the stems, then when these are found in 
numbers he will take pains to cut his alfalfa or red clover when it is 
in the height of its nutritive value, which in the case of red clover is 
