. Circular. Agriculture -- Massachusetts. highest degree of success with alfalfa appears to have been attained on moderately heavy soils. The soil of the typical drumlin of the state is in many cases well adapted to the crop. Freedom from weed seeds or roots such as witch grass is highly important. Localities where sweet clover grows naturally are likely to be peculiarly adapted to alfalfa, as also are those parts of the state where the soils are rich in lime. Preparation for alfalfa. In preparing for alfalfa the most thorough possible tillage and such treatment as will free the surface soil f
. Circular. Agriculture -- Massachusetts. highest degree of success with alfalfa appears to have been attained on moderately heavy soils. The soil of the typical drumlin of the state is in many cases well adapted to the crop. Freedom from weed seeds or roots such as witch grass is highly important. Localities where sweet clover grows naturally are likely to be peculiarly adapted to alfalfa, as also are those parts of the state where the soils are rich in lime. Preparation for alfalfa. In preparing for alfalfa the most thorough possible tillage and such treatment as will free the surface soil from weeds and living roots are of prime importance. If a very early crop, the cultivation of which will leave the soil free from weeds and in good tilth, will be profitable, then such a crop may wisely precede alfalfa ; but the crop should be one which can be harvested not later than about the loth of July, in order to allow a sufficient interval for the thorough tillage desirable before seeding. If the cultivation of such a crop does not promise to be profitable, then a summer fallow will be found to be highly beneficial. The following system of preparation is recommended : (i) Plow the land the previous fall. (2) Apply lime to the rough furrow either in the fall or early in the spring, and immediately incorporate thoroughly with the soil by the use of the disk harrow. In most parts of the state success with alfalfa is impossible without first thoroughly liming the soil. Burned lime at the rate of about a ton and one-half to the acre should be used. This should be slaked with enough water to cause it to crum- ble into a fine, dry powder. This should then be evenly spread and immediately worked in. The usual beneficial effects of liming are clearly shown by the cuts. No Lime. Lime. The two cylinders were filled with an equal quantity of thoroughly mixed soil, so that conditions are known to have been identical at the start. A. Please note that these images are extract
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