NEw YorK AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 209 
it from seeding. Close pasturing is not only ineffective, but it en- 
dangers the life of the alfalfa. The spread of dodder is certainly 
hindered by frequent mowing, but it can not be eradicated or even 
kept under control by mowing. Heavy mulching with coarse 
manure will kill out dodder, but the piles of manure are in the way 
oi the mower and hay rake. 
Digging over the infested spots is effective but laborious and, ia 
stony soil, utterly impracticable. Alfalfa plants have large tap- 
roots which make them very difficult to dig up with a spade. It is 
necessary first to cut off the plants below the crown and to dig up 
the soil afterward. For cutting off the crowns a sharp spade may 
be used, but a light, broad-bitted grub-hoe is much better. Stones 
in the soil dull the tool quickly. The dodder-infested crowns must 
be removed from the field. 
Burning over the infested spots is an excellent method if the work 
is done thoroughly enough to kill every infested plant. This is 
readily accomplished by using kerosene in combination with dry hay 
or straw as follows: First, mow the infested spots closely, includ- 
ing a strip of generous width all around the margin. When the hay 
has become thoroughly dry rake it into a pile in the center of the 
spot and sprinkle the stubble with kerosene by means of a common 
garden sprinkler. The application of kerosene should be especially 
thorough around the margin of the spot —it does not matter so 
much about the central portion. Next, spread the hay evenly over 
the whole area. On top of this spread additional dry hay or straw 
from another source. The quantity of hay and weeds growing on 
infested spots is rarely sufficient for a thorough job of burning even 
with the addition of a generous quantity of kerosene. Especially is 
this true when the work is done during the first week in May which 
is the proper time for it. When the hay is in position it should be 
fired simultaneously at three or four different points on the wind- 
ward side. If possible, the burning should be done when there is 
little wind in order to insure more complete combustion and to avoid 
severe scorching of the surrounding alfalfa. The burning may be 
done with hay alone, but it is necessary to use a large quantity in 
order to insure thorough work. The kerosene draws the fire down 
to the ground close around the crowns of the plants where it is 
most needed. 
Whichever method is employed (burning or digging) the best 
time to do the work for the first time is during the first week in 
May. The dodder spots are then more easily located and their 
