The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1886-02-10
Lueerne or Alfalfa.

very few persons may be aware of the
good qualities Of Lneerne, better known
By the name Of Alfalfa. Did our Mon
tana fsrmers better understand its
use and adaptability to feeding all kinds
of stock, it would be more generally
adopted as one our best stock feeders.
1t is kind of clover, yet surprising it
in all respects, being unequalled fer its
nutritious qualities and the quantity Of
forage it affords in return for the labor
necessary to propagate it. In England it
is considered the only plant whose hay
is preferable to the sainfoin for the fat
tening of cattle. Some physicians pro-
nounce it equal to six times the amount
of common hay. Whether this is really
SO or not, the writer of this article does
not depend on hearsay only, but can
truthfully assert that during the severe
winter Of 1873 he fed four pounds per
head to flll-grown stock, and that only,
as feed, saved his stock, while thousands
were dying on the range.
The time and manner OF cultivating
it do not seem to be understood, hence
many pronounce it failure. Of course
it is more suitable for warmer climates,
and thrives best in warm soil, sandy and
gravelly land The latter has proved to
be it's native element, though it may be
and is grown in the high latitude of
Montana, and gives satisfactory returns
The most profitable crops have been
realized from gravelly soil, in which it
requires more water. 1t will not thrive
in wet ground. It does not depend upon
surface moisture after the third year,
and should not be allowed to stand in
water, as that would have tendency to
kill it out. After that time it is hard to
kill it out, as its enormous roots will
penetrate through the soil to the depth
of twenty or more feet. This can be,
and has been proven. hence it is capable
of sustaining itself during seasons of
severe drouth. Let it not be understood,
though, that it is any the better, for the
more speedy its growth, the better it is,
being more tender, making better feed.
The drouth makes it tough; the leaves
become scared and yellow and fall upon
the ground leaving the stalks bare.
The grovnd should be well under cul-
tivation, for though it is susceptible of
rank growth, it may be smothered out
while young and tender. After the
third leaf is formed there is less danger
of its being killed by frost, hence it |
should be sown in the month of May, |
late, and may be best not sown later |
than June, as it would make sufficient |
headway to enable it to endure the win
ter After the third year it is at its best
From ten to fifteen pounds is sufficient |
seed per acre, if the land is thoroughly |
pulyerized. The better stands are made |
from the higher quantity, as twelve to
fifteen pounds of seed; the hay being
finer ard covering the ground better.
The returns after the third year may
average from two to six tons per acre,
according to soil climate, etc, as it may |
be cut from two to six times. As there
is danger in feeding it green and wet to
horses or COWS, it is best to cut it in the
morning and let it wilt, to use a common
term-the writer having lost fine
heifer calf by feeding it with little
snow ON top, no more than may be
gathered in one hand. The animal diel
in less than five minutes after eating it.
that the readers may be bene-
ited by the experience gained. the
writer presents its benefits and ills pro
md con.
Having used it during many years. /
an safely recommend It for all that it is
worth and much more than is here
itated, having fed ninety pounds to one
pan Of horses fresh cut, but not wet,
without injury, the team having eaten
IL within two hours time Another
ninety pounds were Immediately pro-
.ured and we're devoured before mid
right. W. w.
Reese Creek. Montana, Feb. I'd, 1886.