Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-09-06
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
~ DR.. ANDREW M. SOULE

crop is just coming into bloom. A
the season progresses a large percen'
tage of the plants will be in bloom
when the sprouts at the base o.
Iplants are established. In a genera
way it has been found best to cut
average conditions. During a period
of hot rainy weather the effect or
the plants seems to be much better
if the cutting is delayed for con-
siderable period.
During periods of drought 1t does
not seem to make a great deal OF
difference on the succeeding crop
Therefore, it would appear to be a
better practice to cut fairly early
during the drought so that the
growth will be ready to start again
as soon as the drought is broken
Under average conditions and during
wet weather there will be no trouble
to find the growth of the sprouts at
the base, but during drought, the
sprouts will start and are thrown off,
and it is a little more difficult to
determin when the plants are ready
to cut.
If the bloom is used to indicate
the time of cutting, the first crop
should be cut when from ten to
twenty-five per cent Of the plants are
in bloom. The amount of bloom
SnOulu lncFedse Win edCH crop 81
the time of cutting until with the
fourth crop the seed formation has
begun. If the shoots are used as
an indicator, the growth should
usually be from one-half to two
inches in height at the time of cut
ting. An exception to this will be
during a period OF drought when the
shoots have been formed but have
been thrown off, and will not show
it will be time to cut when large
number of bids are found to be
forming at the base of the plant.
Curing alfalfa hay involves the
same consideration as with other
legumes. The leaves. which drop off
poses. Alfalfa can be cured in the
weathered conditions. AS a rule, it
will be found little more desir-
able to cure it in the cock as is done
with cowpea hay. The loss of the
leaves and the discoloration Of the
hay will have an important bearing
if any of the hay should be intended
for sale.
One of the worst enemies of alfalfa
/ nthis section of the country is the
crab grass. During period of hot,
rainy weather the growth Of the al
falfa is checked and the growth of
the crap grass Is encouraged. 10
prevent the crab grass from becom-
ing detrimental during periods of
this sort, it will be necessary to
fight it whenever opportunity offers.
This can be accomplished in part by
stimulating the growth Of the alfalfa
with applications of lime and phos-
phorus.
The most effective means, however,
will be by cultivation after harvest
ing tn ecrop, The alfalfa should be
cultivated at least twice during the
growing season. The most effective
means that have been found by the
Georgia State College of Agriculture
in doing this is with the alfalfa
spring-tooth harrow. This is an ordi-
nary spring-tooth harrow with snake
head points. The special orchard Gull
tivators with ridged points can be
used, and possibly on some of the
very stiffest land Is desirable, but
for average conditions the spring
tooth harrow will give excellent re-
suits. This is a preventative meas
ure rather than a cure and should
be used constantly from the time
the alfalfa is put down.
If large amount Of crab grass is
allowed to get into the alfalfa, it
will often require more severe treat
ment than can be given with the
spring-tooth harrow. In cases OF
this kind, the disk harrow may BIZ