The Bad Lands cow boy. [volume] (Little Missouri, Dakota [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-1886, 1886-07-01
Alfalfa.

This clover, which, goes under. several
names, is decidedly the coming forage
plant of the west, not only on account of
its nutritious properties either green or
cured, but on account Of its adaptability
to any soil and climate.
1t loves water and grows best when
supplied with a liberal amount, but it
hangs on with pertinacity during a
long drouth that throws Aunt Jemima's
plaster in the ground.
In our valley the usual time for plant
ing is in August, which gives the young
plants time to become we'll repted before
the cold weather comes on Others pre-
fer to plant in the spring after all danger
of frost is over, but they do not expect to
reap any benefit from the first yaar's crop.
whereas the fall planting gives very
nice return. The third year, however, is
the time we expect the. best results, but
as intimated above, its staying qualities
are immense, and after eight and ten
years Of neglect, if ploughed WITH light
plows and watered, it will come up in
the most sprightly manner. :, You would
think it had been making use of the
"bloom of youth" -
In preparing tho land 1t should bewell
ploughed with two strong mules or
horses, well narrowed and then thor
oughly irrigated, and as soon as the land
is dry enough SOW your seed. about
twelve or fifteen pounds per acre, and
harrow in. =.
The first crop will he light and pretty
full Of weeds, but they, never make
second attempt to oatgrow their. com-
petitor, but throw up the sponge in des-
pair, and once alfalfa becomes we'll root
ed twill not brook any opposition, but
smothers out everything else. The
depth the roots will go down into mother
earth in search of moisture is something
marvellous, often fifteen to twenty feet,
and will grow as large as mans wrist.
It is, therefore, rather hard, to eradicate
from your garden and orchard; and
should not be allowed to seed as it
springs up, wherever seed is dropped,
even after having been used as food NBy
our domestic animals. It can lie easily
killed, however, when it is desired, by
being flooded with water for, a few days;
and then the full force Of a July or Au-
gust sun soon kills it. ~ : 49,, 4 I
The first cutting is usually about the
10th or 18th of May owing to a late or
early spring, and If there is plenty Of
water to irrigate during the summer
one can safely rely on three. and often
four, cuttings during the season. From
three-fourths to ton, and on our best
lands ton and a half, can. be had ut
each cutting. The ground can then be
used for pasturage during the winter
months. If there should be o rather
4 thin stand: it is advisable to allow the
clover mature its seed before cutting
as it will give good stand afterwards
4 but it is not best to have the plants tot
thick on the ground, as better results
are obtained where only good stand i
j on the ground. The usual time for cut
ting is when the plant is in full bloom.
Alfalfa is 50 hardy that many have oh
tanned the best results by simply sowing
i the seed broadcast in among the corn II
q August Of September. and simply by cut
II ting down the corn stalks with 4 hoe ant
q leyeling the ground when very uneyeI
and irrigating afterwards. 3yi.
We propose In our next to give SOM
information as to the method of curing
!. price, baling and our market for alfalfa
and land best adapted to its growth y.
4 The Two Republics.