The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1906-04-15

localities the seed should not be GOV
cred so deep. When all of the seet
is covered the proper depth in thi:
way, much less is required than wher
| it is sown broadcast.
Treatment of the Stand.-If weeds
are numerous and tend to crowd on
the alfalfa during the first year, they
should be mown often enough to hole
them in check. The cutter-bar of thu
mower should be set about five inches
high in order that the young alfalfa
plant may not be cut too closely. Il
the weeds are heavy and tend tx
smother out the alfalfa they should
be removed from the field; if not
numerous, they may be permitted tt
lie where cut.
The leaves and stems of alfalfa
sometimes turn yellow and the CROP
then assumes a very unthr1fty ap
pearance. AS soon as this condition
begins to manifest itself, the field
should be mown Immediately, even
though the growth be very small
This will tend to invigorate it AMI
keep it in a growing condition. Ii
the growth is sufficient the first sea-
son, it may be used for either hay OF
pasture, but under no circumstance
should it be closely pastured the
first year.
When the alfalfa is one year old
it should be disked in the early spring
as soon as the ground is in good work
ing condition. The harrow should DC
set straight enough to prevent cutting
off the roots of the alfalfa. The har
row should be weighted to make ii
cut the desired depth. The worker
must use his own judgment as tc
weighing the harrow, the angle al
which to set the discs, and the amount
of narrowing to be done. A tooth
harrow should follow the disk to
smooth and pulverize the surface OF
the soil. This will form dust mulch
and conserve moisture for the use OF
the crop during the dry seasoL. As
stated above alfalfa should always be
! treated this way in the early spring
1t may be given the same treatment
just after removing a hay crop or al
any time when it has made but little
growth. AS the stand becomes Older
and the roots larger the disk harrow
may be set to run deeper. After II
is well established the more cultiva
ton the better.
The directions above for growing
alfalfa require some time and ex
pense. But paying returns will be
obtained so much quicker and the
alfalfa will last so much longer, II
soWn and cared for in this way, thai
Tic
fed.
Suggested Rotations.-In the dry
localities where corn, roots, potatoes
etc., do not grow successfully, about
the only possible rotation is the al
formation of alfalfa and wheat. The
alfalfa may occupy the ground as
long as desirable, but when 1T i;
plowed up and the land sOwn to wheat
the yields will be materially in
creased.
Where corn and root crops can be
grown successfully, the following TO
tatiOnS are suggested:
l. Cultivated crops, one year
| (corn, roots, potatoes or sugar beets)
alfalfa from three to as many years
as desirable; wheat, one year; wheat
oats or barley, one year; cultivated
crop, one year (corn, roots, potatoes
etc.; alfalfa.
2. Cultivated crop, one year
(corn, roots, potatoes, sugar beets
etc.; alfalfa, three to as many years
as desired; wheat, one year; cult
waited crop, one year-(corn, roots
potatoes, sugar beets, etc.; alfalfa
8. Cultivated crop or summer fal
low, one year-(corn, roots, potatoes
sugar beets, etc.; alfalfa, as long al
desired; wheat, oats, barley and sum
mer fallow for number of years
cultivated crop or summer fallow, one