The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-02-22
LUCERNE.
From the Eaem aad oardea.

From the Farm and Garden.
Ia the September number | wrote a
short article about Lucerne. | rave le-
ceived letters concerning it from all parts
of the country, and at the request uf my
friends all over the Union, l will talk
little more about Lucerne, its habits, uses
and culture. Lncefne will grow on any
land that will produce wheat, corn or po-
tatoes and will thrive on many lands that
none of these will grow on, especially
very light sand or gravel, through it does
well 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 1t In an alkali that is strong
enough to keep wheat from growing.
Though particular about wet land, 1t will
stand any amount of wet in the summer
as long as there 10 plenty of drainage. II
will also stand all of the water Ia the wis-
ter that may fall in the shape of rain, or
snow that may melt. IL is very quick
grower and will ma u Q the first crop in
about two months from the time that
growth commences. The second crop
will mature in about six weeks from cut
ting, and the third in about five weeks
from cutting of the second. The second
crop is the heaviest, but the first is a lit
tie the best feed, as it is grown little
longer than the others. 1t will yield
about on an average Of six tons per acre,
and have known it to produce double
that amount. 1t is perennial OF the
clover tribe, but will outyield 1t two to
one, makes just as good feed, aud has a
great advantage over the clover, for it
never falls down but stands up straight.
Sowing-Thc best method Is to SOW
broadcast about fifteen pounds por acre
where the lard is 10 good condition, but
on very weedy land or clear gravel or
sand that is very poor put about three
pounds more. lou cannot get any crop
from it the first year, but don't get dis
couraged ii the plants are on an average
of ten inches apart little slim single stems
about four or six inches high. Your pros
pect Is good that you will get four tons
per acre next year, and the next it will be
as good as ever it will and stand that way
for ten years.
1t is best to SOW with grain. Oats are
the best thus you will loose no time,
but can have crop from your land every
year. In fact it does better to have II
shaded when young. Sow at the same
time that you do spring grain.
Cultiyation-Where there is plenty OF
rain there is no cultivation needed, for ii
would be unwise to manure il as it thrives
fully as we'll on washed sand as 1t will on
the best garden spot, but in few years
it will make clear sand rich land, owing
to the decay of the root. The roots will
sink themselves for distance of ten 20
twenty feet straight down. They are
about one and half inches in diameter,
and fully one half OF the roots decay
every year from the outside and keeps
growing larger from the centre every
year.
1t 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 at once,
for If you allow rain to come on your
hay after il is cut it will not be worth
more than one half for feed, and will be
entirely worthless for market. Heavy
dews are not good either. Rake into
winrows If cut with moving machine,
and let dry until it begins to let the leaves
fall when handled roughly, then pick il
up and lay it in piles, just one fork full
10 a pile, to cure. Do not roll 1t together
or it will not load easily, then you will
have to pull it to pieces, thus losing one
half the leaves. By following my direc-
tions you can put each on perfectly clean
at one fork full and not waste time nor
any Of the leaves. But right here let me
warn you against condemning it as
worthless lot Of sticks until you try your
horses and cows and seq them clean up
the sticks before they do the leaves.
There are not many animals that take to
it when dry without having it in their
manger for few days with other hay
but in few days You will see the grass
hay left, while the Lucerne Is cleaned up.
A ton of Lucerne will not go quite SO far
as q ton Of timothy. Do not let hungry
cattle get on 1t while green, especially
while wet, for il will bloat them, which il
apt to result In death but if you wish to
pasture it, first feed your stock all that
they can and win eat and then turn them
on the green Lncerne, and no harm will
come to them. 1t is the best thing to re-
new old vermont land that ever saw,
aud there is not weed or anything else