New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-09-04
FARM AND GARDEN.
LUCERNE.
ITS REMARKABLE MERITS AND THE REASONS FOR
IFS NEGLECT
BY THE NON. CHARLES l. FLINT BOSTON, MASS
From The UeeHy Tribune august 30.

From The UecEly Tribune Augtst 30
Iucerne is the WodicdgO sdtird OF the bOtanists
n leguminous plant that has been known and cult
waited for forage from the earliest historical
times. This plant was introduced from Media, in
Asia to Greece in the time of Darius, 800 years be-
fore Christ, and from thence its cultivation ex-
tended to Italy and TO the South of France, where
it has been grown 10 this day. having always con-
tInued to be favorte forage crop. Through the
Spaniards probably it was early introduced into
Mexico and South America where. under the name
Of alfalfa ithas hourished with great luxuriance on
soils suitable to its growth spreading spontaneously
and proving of immense value for the vast herds OF
cattle and horses that roam over the pampas.
such is general statement of the characteristics
of Lucerne, and 1t IS evident that it must be
gardcd as one of tho most important perennial
plants that cover the surface of the earth 1t has
never become a universal favoute in this country
for several reasons One is that will not endure
so severe climate as red clover. requiring greater
heat. while it is not adapted to quite so wide
range Of SOILS but perhaps tho chief reason Is that
our farmers viii not give 1t the minute care and at
tention it requires to start it properly They don't
like the idea of having to cultivate and weed n
forage crop. In common parlance 1t would be
ranked among the grasses. and the idea Of wedding
and cutlvating grass with all the nicely Of gar
den crop, seems absurd to the average farmer when
he can get his respectable crop of clover with even
the most slovenly treatment
Lucerne is exactlng in its requirements 1t must
have q deep soil and will never succeed in thin
one. II langushes in compact and clay soils. and
cannot flourish on light soils lying over an imper-
meabe subsoil. In loose and permeable subsoils OF
loan, sand or gravel its roots penetrate to great
depths They nave been found IN sandy soils thir-
teen feet long. They nearly destitute of lateral
shoots, but have numerous fibrous rpotlets which
imbibe the moisture needed to sustain the plant
from great depths. Its nutrment from lay
ers Of soil far below the average of other plants.
Hence its wonderful adaptation tropical climates
and to long continued drouths. have seen it flour
ishing in California and ID Utah where it had not
received a drop of rain for many months.
From what has been said the soil most suitable
for lucernc Is deep, rich mellow loan with light
subsoil This latter Is Of the utmost consequence.
Deep tillage and especial care to break through an
underlying hard pan will do something, to be sure.
but a neglect of this precauiion wherever hard
pan exists, will lead to inevitable failure. cal
careous SOIL OF a sandy soil lying over loose calca-
reous subsoi, may be regarded as the best for lu-
cerne or alfalfa. Growers of this crop III England
and the south of France, SOW 1t in drills and noe IL
often enough to keep out weeds, that Is to keep IL
perfectly Clean Tor the urSt year OF tWO Oh III III
covers the ground. This is essential to the highest
success But the chief difficulty is in getting 1t
started we'll. 1t does not to its perfection till
the third year, and then it is superb if the soil is
suitable for it, and after 1t Is well started 1t will
last for many years. 1t may be counted on for
twenty or twenty-five years, and will furnish
several cuttings each year, beginning early in May
and furnishing crop once in about thirty days.
In one case eleven acres kept eleven horses 299
days. In another case eight acres kept eight horses
315 days and in both cases a large number of sheep
were pastured on the ground for long time after
the last cutting for the horses Ii IS greatly rel
shed by all kinds of stock, especially for cows
where the milk is sold in the market, but is not
thought the best feed for butter making. Sow
twenty pounds of seed to the acre. II the seed is
pure that is sufficient but much of the seed is
impure and old it is safer TO use twenty-five pounds
The seed is usually covered with a hard coating, !
and If it happens to be very dry 1t retards vegeta
ton so that it is better 20 steep it IN warm water
for six or eight hours before sowing. We should be
glad to record thoroughly successful experiment
with this crop 1t is worth effort to grow 1t III
the best manner.