The Arizona sentinel., 1902-06-18
ALFALFA.
Experiment Station Pamphlet,

AlldIld SSoo nld OC oOh AA m dry soil or soil that has been previously irrigated. the latter method being usually preferable. It is better to have the soil Tn such condition as to moisture and tilth that the seed will germinate and the young plants appear without further irrigation being necessary. If the soil was dry when the seed was soWn, or Is not sufficiently retentive of mols- ture. or if on account of the nature of the weather that fol lows seeding, the soil dries be- fore the plants appear, water should be applied as promptly as practicable. The young plants must have plenty of water in order that a good stand may be secured.
 The seeding may be done at any time during the period from October to March inclusive, but the best times are October 1st to November 10th and January 18th
 to the end of February. The
 young plants being sensitive to
 both low temperatures and ex-
 cessive heat and aridity, good
 stand can best be secured from
 the use of a given amount of
 water by sowing during the sea
 sons above recommended.
 After the young plants appear;
 they should be given water ire
 queutly enough to keep them
 growing steadily. The applica-
 ton of water twice a month, dur
 ing the first three months Is
 usually ample to secure good
 stand. If sowll during the win 1 ter season mentioned above, a
 light crop may be cut three or
 four months after sowing. Aft
 CT this, the application of water
 once a month is sufficient the
 first season. It is probably not
 economical to apply much water
 during November and December.
 but beginning with January water may be applied freely tc
 advantage, under the conditions
 existing in the region of the farm. Where water is avail able at all times of the year when needed for alfalfa, it vii . probably be better in most eases
 to postpone the free application
 of water until the first of F'ebru ary. Alfalfa being very deep
 rooted, water to the depth o } two feet may be applied to ad , vantage just before, or durin! the early part of the growth; : season. After cutting the frs : crop, water may still be apple, l freely to advantage. After cut ting the second crop the applica l tion of one half to two-thirds o r a foot of water will be sufficien 3 for the production of each subse !, quent crop. But the amour l that will be necessary to secur | a good growth during the sun n mer, will depend very much IT : on the amount applied during tn r winter. If the field has bee y thoroughly wet during the latte ' season, two good crops ca }, usually be cut without irrigatio j. between the first and second GU e tings; and in some cases a thirC }, or even a fourth crop can be GU l. During the cutting season, tn # best time to apply water is a fe l. days previous to moving. B
 this method, the new grOWt
 starts promptly after each cro e is removed.
 1t Alfalfa is especially adapte > to a region with a fuctuatin e water supply, such as we hav' y When once established, the crO d produced varies with the watt e applied, within certain limit y water may be applied freely du e ing the winter when it is abunt W ant, and withheld entirely durin l. the summer. In fact it will liI 1T during several average yea is without the application of ar t, irrigating water. One field tn; " has been under the observable .e of the writer has not been irl IS gated for over four years. y if many of the plants are still aliv y d crop having been cut eaC