16 Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station 
Alfalfa on Dry Land .—Under dry land conditions experience has 
shown that thirty-six to forty-two inches apart is required for alfalfa 
in rows, for in this case, it is a question of a limited moisture supply, 
where the success of the crop will depend on conserving the moisture 
by cultivation and limitating the number of plants to draw upon it. 
A thoro preparation of the soil by deep tillage for one or two years 
previous to starting alfalfa on dry land is necessary to establish 
moisture in the subsoil. Then it is essential to start with a thin stand 
of plants, keep these clean of weeds, and hold all moisture possible by 
cultivation to insure the alfalfa living over the dry seasons. 
Alfalfa seed growing on dry land is partly in the experimental 
stage. Results have been secured that will warrant the prediction 
that some of the dry land sections will be devoted to alfalfa seed grow¬ 
ing, when the different soil conditions are understood, and the cultural 
requirements are carried out. 
CONCLUSIONS. 
The results of the investigation in alfalfa seed production indicate 
that alfalfa seed yields can be improved by systematic seed selection to 
develop the inherent traits of seed production in the desirable types; 
by selecting fields that are adapted to growing alfalfa seed which are 
not over soaked with subsoil moisture; by seeding thinly in rows to 
secure a stocky growth and permit intertillage ; and by regulating the 
moisture supply with cultivation and light furrow irrigation to con¬ 
trol vegetative growth. May 29, 1913. 
No. 14.—Apparatus for determining soil moisture; a 12 foot jointed soil auger with 
sleeve to follow the auger bit to remove soil easily; a set of trip scales with tin boxes for 
samples; a sheet-iron stove-oven for drying samples; a glass door for the oven when set in 
strong sunshine will heat soil samples 110 to 125 degrees; sufficient to dry samples in three 
days to air dry samples. 
