The Bozeman weekly chronicle., 1888-06-20

In september wrote short article
about Lucerne. l have received letters
concerning it from all parts of the coun-
try, and at the request of my friends all
over the Union, will talk little more
about Lucerne, its habits, uses, and cul.
ture. 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 we'll
on clay. But it will not grow on any
land that the water stands within one
foot OF the surface and there is no use
in sowing it in an alkali that is strong
enough to keep wheat from growing.
Though particular about wet land, it will
stand any amount Of wet in the summer,
as long as there is plenty of drainage. 1t
win also stand all of water in the winter
that may fall in the shape of rain, or
SNOW that may melt. 1t is very quick
grower, and will manture the first crop
in about two months from the time that
growth commences. The second crop
will mature in about six weeks from
cutting, and third in about five weeks
from cutting of the second. The second
crop is the heaviest, but the first is lit
tie the best feed, as it grows a little longer
than the others. 1t will yield about on
an average of six tons per acre, and I
have known it to produce double that
quantity. lis perennial of the clover
tribe, but will out yield it two to one,
makes just as good feed, and has great
advantage over the clover, for it never
falls down but stands up straight.
Sowing, 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 OF
sand that is very poor put three pounds
more. You cannot get any crop in from
the first year, but do not get discouraged,
if the plants are on an average of ten
inches apart, little, slim single stemt
about four or six inches high, your pros
poets is good that you will get four toni
per acre next year, and the next it will
be as good as ever it will, and stand tina
way for ten years. 1t is best to SOW
with grain. Oats are the best thus you
will loose no time but can have cro]
from your land every year. In fact
does better to have it shaded whel
young. Sow at the same time that yo
do spring grain.
"Cultivation.-Wnere there is plent
of rain, there is no cultivation needed
for it would be unwise to manure it, as
thrives fully as will on washed sand O
it will on the best garden-spot, but in
few years it will make clear sand TIC
lanl, owing to the decay of the roo
The roots will sink themselves for ui,
tance of ten to twenty feet straigl
down. They are about one and ha
inches in diameter, and fully one.half {
that root decays every year from the on
side, and keeps growing larger from Gel
tire every year.
at should be cut when in full blool
A little old is better than too youn,
when the bloom is ready to fall of is III
too late. DO not cut too much at one
for if you allow rain to come on yo,
hay after it its cut. it wall not I've wor,
more than one-half for feed, and will |
entirely worthless for market. IIea,
dews are not good either. Rake in
wind-rows if cut with NOV ing nathil
and let dry until it begins tn let IL
leaves fall when handled roughly, thu
pick it up and lay it in piles, just O.
fork.full in pile to cure. Do not roll
together or il will not load easil
then you will have to pull it
pieces, thus losing half of the leay
I. By following my directions You can +