The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1875-02-11
Planting Alfalfa.

The following, from the California
Farmer, gives valuable information con-
corning alfalfa culture:
AS we have been familiar with the
character, qualities and results OF al
ialfa cultivation in California since
1852, when we first introduced IT here,
and urged it's cultivation, We think we
can give reliable instructions.
Alfalfa, or Chill clover, il especially
adapted for O dry, hot climate. No
matter how hot the weather may be,
40 long rs the soil has been cultivated
deep enough for the roots to 60 down
in search OF moisture, alfalfa will Hour
ish. x
There Is no better feed for cattle and
sheep thar alfalfa, properly grown and
properly cured, and for pasturage or
for hay.
The best soil for alfalfa is q deep al.
luyial soil, q deep rich sandy loan, or
any good soil, even our black SOIL, al
ter i has been thoroughly subdued,
but no soil is fit for alfalfa that is not
deep and fine, as the roots will go down
twenty feet in search of moisture. Give
to alfalfa free scope for the roots to go
down. and, no matter if tho heat is 100
degrees, alfalfa will do well, and give
from eight to sixteen or twenty Tons to
the acre. This depends on the soil and
manner OF sowing.
The time and manner OF sowing we
recommend it as follows:
AS we have said, the land for alfalfa
must be deeply and finely plowed, 10,
| 20, or "a inches, and fine thorough
work. remembering that alfalfa, once
well established stands for many years.
The time OF sowing we recommend is
tho autumn, and upon the best land as
described ; we would advise that 1t be
sown with oats or wheat or barley, and
twenty-five pounds alfalfa to the acre
il should be sown thick, 80 that 1t
crows s~ucculent and tender-.thus grown
il Yields moro to the acre, willis quicker
when cnt, makes better and sweettr
hay whom sown sparse tho stalks are
coarse and hard, will not cure, and
stock will not eat it. When alfalfa is
thus sown in the fall early with grain
tho grain comes up and acts as O pro.
tector to the young alfalfa in case OF
frost, as the grain blades hang over the
alfalfa to shield it both from any frost,
eun Or drouth, and as the season warns
up in January and FEBRUARY, and the
grain grows, the alfalfa grows also, and
this covers the soil among the grair
roots, and in turn protects the eartt
from the sun, and helps the gram by
keeping the surface shielded.
AS soon as the grain is harvested
the alfalfa will spring onward IN ~
growth and rapidly push forward, Civ
ing two or three crops the first year
One other great gain in planting Witl
grain is this, after the grain ID Off tn
dacayipg stubble is rich food for the
alfalfa; the roots OF the grain as the'
decay become deep cavities which ar
quickly filed with the roots OF the al
falfa as they go down for moisture
thus in planting the alfalfa this fal
early with grain, both species are benz
fitted and O large crop is secured o
each.
When alfalfa pastures are to be use'
for feed only, for cows or sheep, the,
should be fenced off into five or tel
acre lots, in order to give each lot fni
recuperative power. This can easll,
be done by tho movable fence, 10
stock in rich alfalfa pastures won
Jump fences or break them. .
When alfalfa is raised for hay
should be cut when in full blossom
before seeding. If sown as it shoul'
be, thick, the grass will be tender AM
will wilt quickly, and should be quick
ly winrowed, then stacked early, no
dried up. Glover should be cured q
we cure herbs, to retain their Fragrance
and goodness !; 80 with alfalfa, it need
but little exposure, it will dry enough
in the stack. The curing of alfalfa ha,
is ono of the most important parts o
the whole thing. All the process o
selection of soil, blowing, planting
ETC., will all be lost, if at last n gOot
crop OF ten or twelve tons per acre Il
badly harvested and spoiled.