22 The Colorado Experiment Station 
CROPS FOR DRY FARMING 
In considering crops for dry-land agriculture, it must always 
be remembered that a rotation is necessary to keep up permanent 
production on the land. In any rotation, legumes must be used 
sooner or later. The available and profitable legumes are limited. 
They consist principally of alfalfa, sweet clover, field peas and 
pinto beans. Legumes are just as necessary to help balance up 
the feed ration as they are to assist in maintaining soil produc¬ 
tivity. The crops which are most certain and are easiest to grow 
make rather starchy feeds. Some legume to mix with such feeds 
is highly desirable. 
ALFALFA 
Alfalfa can be grown in many localities if the land is properly 
prepared and the crop properly cared for. Alfalfa may be grown 
for forage if planted in rows from 3 to feet apart. When so 
planted, alfalfa should be cultivated to keep down weeds. Only 
a few cultivations are necessary if they are done at the right 
time. If drilled or seeded broadcast, alfalfa should be seeded 
thinly. Three pounds of good seed is amply sufficient if the 
soil is properly prepared. When well cared for, alfalfa should 
produce from three-fourths to 1 ton of cured hay per acre per 
year. Since this alfalfa hay is worth pound for pound as much 
as bran to feed with the common feeds of dry-land sections, it 
Alfalfa in rows for seed production or increased hay production under 
dry conditions 
