The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-02-18
Planting Alfalfa.

The following, from the California
Farmer, gives valuable information
concerning alfalfa culture:
As we have been familiar with the
character, qualities and results OF alfal-
ia cultivation in California since 1852,
when we first introduced it here, and
urged its euli ivation, we think we can
give reliable instructions.
Alfalfa, or Chilli clover, Is especially
adapted for dry, hot climate. No mat
ter how hot the weather may be, so
long as the soil has been cultivated deep
enough for the roots to 90 down in
search of moisture, alfalfa viii flourish.
There is no better feed for cattle and
sheep than alfalfa, properly grown and
properly cured, and for pasturage or for
hay.
The best soil for alfalfa is a deep allu-
vial soil, deep rich sandy loan, or
any good soil, even our black soil after
it 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 al
falfa free scope for the roots to go
down, and, no matter if the heat is l20
degrees, alfalfa will do well and give
from eight to sixteen or twenty tons to
the acre. This depends on the soil and
udnueT OF sowing
The time and manner of sowing we
recommend is as follows:
AS we have said, the land for alfalfa
must be deeply and finely plowed, 16,
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
the autumn, and upon the best land as
described we would advise that it be
sOwn with oats or wheat or barley, and
twenty-five pounds alfalfa to the acre ;
it should be sown thick, 50 that it grows
succulent and tendeT-thus grown it
yields more to the acre. willis quicker
when cut, makes better and sweeter
hay when sown sparse the stalk are
coarse and hard, will not cure and stock
will not eat it. When alfalfa is thus
sOwn in the fall early with grain the
grain comes up and acts as protector
to the young alfalfa in case of frost, as
the grain blades hang over the alfalfa
to shield it both from any frost, sun 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 grain roots,
and in turn protects the earth from the
sun, and helps the grain by keeping the
surface shielded.
AS soon as the grain is harvested, the
alfalfa will spring onward in its growth
and rapidly pushed forward, giving
two or three corps the first year. One
Orher great gain in planting with grain
is this after the grain is off the decay
ing stubble is rich food for the alfalfa
the roots of the grain as they decay be-
come deep cavities which are quickly
filed with the roots of the alfalfa as
they go down for moisture; thus in
planting the alfalfa this fall early with
grain, both species are benefited and a
larger crop is secured of each.
When alfalfa pastures are to be used
for feed only, for cows or sheep, they
should be fenced off into five or ten
acre, lots, in order to give each lot full
recupererative power. This can easily
be done by the movable fence, for stock
in rich alfalfa pastures won't jump
fences or break them.
When alfalfa is raised for hay it
should be cut when in full blossom, be-
fore seeding. If sown as il should be,
thick, the grass will be tender and will
wilt quickly, and should be quickly
winrowed, then stacked early, not dried
up. Glover should be cured as we cure
herbs, to retain their fragrance and
goodness; so with alfalfa, il needs but
little exposure, it will dry enough in the
stack. The curing of alfalfa hay is one
of the most impOrtantparts of the whole
| thing. All the process of selection OF
soil, blowing, planting, etc, will all be
| lost, if at last good crop of ten OF
| twelve tons per acre is badly harvested
and spoiled.