^iFactors that Affect Alfalfa Seed Yields 
A Progress Report 
1. By PHILO K. BLINN 
I7. The problem of alfalfa seed production is a vital one to the 
larmers in Colorado. Alfalfa occupies the same important place in 
liie farm economy of the West that red clover occupies for the farms 
% the East. Alfalfa has even greater importance, due to its larger 
orage producing capacity and its very great power as a fertility 
milder on western soils. Due to its fertilizing value, it plays an im- 
)ortant role in western crop rotation. 
n Immense quantities of alfalfa seed are required each year to re- 
seed new acreages, resulting from crop rotation. The production of 
ilfalfa seed does not seem to be keeping pace with this ever in- 
jjreasing demand. The inability of seed production to keep pace 
vith seed demands seems to be largely due to the uncertainty, of 
lidfalfa seed yields. With uncertain seed yields, there is not strong 
jl mcouragement for farmers to attempt to produce alfalfa seed. Re- 
cently, it has seemed that alfalfa seed could be successfully pro- 
■ iuced only under the most favorable circumstances. Even then seed 
yields are so irregular from season to season that the irregularity 
j institutes a strong business limitation on alfalfa seed producing 
efforts. 
■ For a number of years the Colorado Experiment Station has 
.oeen endeavoring to determine the causes of uncertain alfalfa seed 
yields. The Experiment Station has tried to find the controlling 
Jfactors in seed yield. It has tried to work out the cultural methods 
yecessary to insure successful alfalfa seed production. These efforts 
■have been put forth in the hope of developing a seed growing in- 
dustry which would at least supply the demands of Colorado grow- 
'srs for good alfalfa seed. Investigations cover a period of over 
^twelve years. It seems advisable at the present time to publish the 
■results of these experiments and observations. The final conclusions, 
tbowever, seem somewhat indefinite. A clear-cut statement of the 
‘status of the investigation may serve to clarify the problem and offer 
!some beneficial suggestions to those engaged in producing alfalfa 
^seed. It is hoped the results will be helpful, even though they do 
not give a final solution to the problem. 
Investigations have been conducted chiefly on the Colorado Ex- 
'iperiment Station farm at Rocky Ford. This farm has excellent land 
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