The Effect of Late Summer and Early Fall Cutting on Crown Bud Formation and Winterhardiness of Alfalfa 1

T cutting of alfalfa in late summer and early fall in the northern sections of the United States is frequently practiced, especially when hay is scarce and high priced. A short growing season in this section generally limits the production to two cuttings, but occasionally three or even four cuttings may be taken. This at times results in a reduction of the stand due to winterkilling, a decrease in yield the following year, or a combination of both. In Michigan, the third cutting is generally removed in September or October and in southern Michigan where harvesting three cuttings is often the rule, a f~urth cutting is sometimes taken late in the fall. It has been observed that these late cuttings have not always resulted in an reduction of stand or yield the following year. In view of these facts an experiment was laid out to determine the influence of removal of the fall growth of alfalfa at different dates. The experiment dealt not only with the subsequent productivity of the alfalfa following late summer and early fall cutting, but also with the influence of such cutting treatments on crown bud formation and stem production, and the percentage dry matter, rate of respiration, and rate of hardening of the roots.