Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-08-21
SEMI WEEKLY WORLD.
LuCERNE OR ALFALFA.
A Practical Farmer Explains How
Benefits the Soil.

"A Ff8Ct1c1t f8Emef Expiaibs ho" ~
Benefits the Soil
How can plants increase the fertility
of the soilP In two ways. One by
adding to it that part of themselves
which they obtain from the air. and the
other by searching many feet into the
ground with their roots. and bringing
to the surface the chemicals and fersil-
izing materials stored there. This Is
lucerne's method Of benefiting the soil.
This letter from practical farmer com
pletely explains every point:
Lucerne will grow on any land that
will produce wheat. corn or potatoes.
and will thrive on many lands that none
Of these will grow on. especially very
light sand or gravel, though it does
well on clay. But it will not grow on
land where the water stands within one
foot of the surface. and there is no use
sowing II In an alkali that is strong
enough to keep wheat from growing.
Though particular about wet land. II
will stand any amount OF wet In
summer. ~ long as there Is plenty oil
drainage. It win also stand all
OF the water of winter that may fall
Ia the shape OF rain. or snow that may
melt. 1t Is quick grower. and VIII
mature the first crop in about two
months from the time that the growth
commences. The second crop will ma
turc in about six weeks from the cut
ting, and the third in about five weeks
from cutting Of the second. The sec
ond crop Is the heaviest, but the first Is
little the best feed. 1t will yield about
an average Of ak tons per acre. 1t is
a perennial OF the clover tribe.
The best method is to SOW broadcast
about fifteen pounds per acre where the
land Is in good condition. but on very
weedy land or clear gravel or sand that
is very poor, put about three pounds
more. You can not get any crop from
1t the first year. but do not gst dis
couraged II the plants are on an aver
age Of ten inches apart little. slim.
single stems about four or six inches
high. 1t Is best to sow with grain.
Oats are the best; thus you will lose no
time. but can have crop from your
land every year. In fact 1t does better
~ have ii shaded when young. Sow at
the same time that you do spring
grain.
Where there Is plenty Of rain, no
cultivation is needed; but in few years
II will make clear sand n rich land,
owing to tho decay Of the root The
roots will sink themselves for distance
of ten to twenty feet straight down,
and fully one-hali decays every year
from the outside. and keeps growing
larger from the center every year,
II should be cut when in full bloom.
A little old Is better than too young;
when the bloom is ready to fall off is
not too late. Do not cut too much al
once. for II you allow u rain to come
on your hay after II Is cut it will not
be worth more that one-haf for feed
and will be entirely worthless for mar
ket. Heavy dews are not good, either.
Let me warn you against condemnine
It rs worthless lot If sticks until yot
try your horses and cows and see then
clean up the sticks before they do tn
leaves. There are not many animals
that take to 1t when dry without hav
ing 1t in their manger few days Will
other hay; but In few days You vii
see the grass hay loft, while the lucernt
Is cleaned up. A ton Of lucerne will no
go quite ss FAR AZ a ton of timothy. ID,
not let hungry cattle get on 1t Will
green, especially WHOM wet for it will
bloat them. II you wish to pasture it
first feed your stock all they can AM
will eat and then turn them on III
green lucerne. and no harm will com
to them 1t Is the best thing to renev
old. worn out land that ever saw. -
N. +. Farmer