The Bad Lands cow boy. [volume] (Little Missouri, Dakota [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-1886, 1886-04-15
Alfalfa in Dakota.

If he who makes two blades of grass
grow where only one grew before, is d
public benefactor, then whatever will
cause the soil to grow more fodder and
extend the season of growth six OF eight
weeks is also benefactor. ~ s-
Alfalfa will do this. 1t is a clover
nearly related to red clover. 1t is as
hardy. if not harder. Roofing deep it is
quite independent of the rain fall It
starts earlier in the spring than the
grasses and continues to grow after they
are dead. s-7r-.t -, a5
lIr. j. R. Lowe, of Bijeu Hills, Dak.,
writes me that five years ago he received
from the Agricultural Department a
package Of alfalfa, which he scattered
thinly over patch of ground that had
been worked two years and paid no moro
attention to it. Naturally the weeds
took possession but the alfalfa caught.
For three years the weeds had the upper
hand and being an eyesore he moved
them. But. the following year being
very dry the alfalfa gained ascendency,
and in the spring of 'S5 every plant was
in its place alive and vigorous and
showed its color three weeks before any
thing else started, and was full six
inches high before cattle could live on
the prairie. lie is absolutely certain
that not a plant has died from any cause,
that it extends the time Of green feed
at least two months in the year, early
frost not killing it down; that it is
worthy Of trial, and he has great hopes
that it will prove success in Dakota.
There is ample proof that it will
stand our cold winters. At Highmore,
Dak, there are five acres, sown last
spring, that made good growth. It
was visited by hail storm, but being a
tough stalk was not cut as badly as the
wheat. Specimens / have from the field,
in fact show no effects OF the hail. y
1t was standing temptation to the
pigs Of the neighberhood. and whenever
they got out they took near way to the
alfalfa. At Blunt Mr.. Zollers pulled
} from his patch a plant whose root meas
) ured twenty-five and a half inches, the
} growth of one season. At Miller, Hand
Co., an eighth Of an acre sowed on sod
: last spfing made splendid growth. I
: observed reeds on the stalks which were
) left standing to help it through the first
winter. It was alive and in good con
: dition the Sth. Of February when exam
e ined. At this place, an experimental
0 patch, by its growth enthused us with a
y belief in its future. 4 ~ :33g
: I hear some one ask what IL it does
h yield eight or ten bushels. to the acre
! yearly after it is we'll set, what is il
# good for r.: s..
t., 1t is relished by all kinds of stock; il
/ takes the place Of corn; alfalfa fed bee
y resembles corn fed; pigs riot in it, ant
grow fat during the mild months Il,
) having portable fences on different lots
i as it will not stand constant feeding; i
II will enable Dakota to compete with til,
III corn states in raising stock it will pro
Al duce an abundant yield every year ii
le spite Of hail. frost or drought; It vii
p renew the soil. Dakota cannot alWny
IS grow small grain. lis only d questio,
Ia tof time when the present culture wii
NJ exhaust the soil. Hook to alfalfa ais tli
AZ topping stone to- profitable stock raie
nling, a sure foundation TO any country
al lsrcspe perity. ,Nortl tlwcstern Farmer. 5i