24 ASSOCIATED SEEDS, INC. 
LEGUMES 
Legumes comprise a vast group of more than 7,000 species, among which are many extremely 
important crop plants such as peas and beans high in protein for food; soybeans of great 
value for food, feed, and industrial uses; alfalfa, clovers, lespedeza, and vetches which pro- 
vide high protein forage and hay. The majority of the native species and the cultivated forms 
are characterized by the pea-type flower, the pod fruit, and the nodule-bearing soil-improving 
roots. The penetrating power of the roots enables them to improve the soil texture, and the 
bacteria which live in the nodules fix the free nitrogen of the air into available plant food. 
When these bacteria are not naturally present, the correct culture for a given legume may be 
easily and inexpensively mixed with the seed before sowing. 

The nodules on legume roots are caused by nitrogen-fixing bacteria. 
ALFALFA 
Medicago sativa 
Alfalfa is a perennial legume but not a clover, and for almost any climate there is an adapted 
variety. It prefers fertile, well-drained, rich, deep limestone soils; neutral to slightly alkaline, 
and well fitted. To establish alfalfa, a firm, moist, subsoil is very important, with the first two 
inches of the surface soil loose ‘and of open structure, free from debris to permit soil and 
seed to be firmly pressed together with a roller or a float after sowing. 
Alfalfa ranks first as a high grade hay crop, furnishing high protein feed with very excellent 
keeping qualities. The somewhat bushy leafy growth and soft, pithy stems make it easy to 
cure without waste. A. valuable grazing crop for all classes of livestock, though care must be 
exercised in grazing cattle and sheep on it to prevent bloat. 
