The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-15

New England Farmer.
How can plants increase the fertility of the
soill 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 fertilizng mate
riAls stored there This ia lucerne's method of
beneftng the soil, and this illustration shows
the roots searching for new food, and explains as
nothing else can, its value This letter from a
practical farmer. SO completely explains every
point:
Lucerne will grow on any land that will pro-
6uce wheat, corn potatoes, and will thrive
on many lands that none of these will grow OF,
especially very light sand or gravel though it
does we'll on clay BUTT will not grow on land
where the water stands within one foot of the
surface. and there is no use in sowing it in an
alkah that Is strong enough to keep wheat from
growing. Though particular about wet land, it
will stand any amount or wet in the summer, as
long as there is plenty of drainage. 1t will also
stand all of the water in the winter that may
fall in the shape of rain. snow that may melt.
It is quick grower, and will mature the first
crop in about two months from the time that
growth commences. The second crop will ma
ture in about six weeks from cutting, and the
third in about five weeks from cutting of the
second. The second crop is the heaviest, but
the first is little the best feed. Il will yield
about on an average of six tons per acre. 1t is a
perennial OF the clover tribe
The best method is to SOW broadcast about
fifteen pounds per 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 not get any crop
from it the first year. but DO not get discour
aged IL the plants an average of ten
inches apart. little. slim. single about
four SIX inches high. 1t is best to with
grain. Oats the best; thus you will lose 10
time. but can h do crop from your land every
year. In fact itow better have it shaded
when young. Save az the same time that you
do spring grain.
Where there is pe MY of rain, cultivation
is needed; but IN a few years IL will make clear
sand rich land, owing to the decay. of the root
The roots will sink themselves for distance of
ten 20 TWEEN feet straight down. and fully one
half decays every year from the outside, and
keeps growing larger from the centre every
year.
1t should be cut when IN full bloom. little
old is better than too young; when the bloom -
ready to fall of is not too late. Do not cut 600
much at once. for If you allow a rain to come on
your hay after il is cut it will not be worth more
than onehAf for feed ana will be entirely
worthless for market Heavy dews not
good, either Let you against con-
demniug it a worthless lot of sticks until you
try your horses and cows and see them clean mp
the sticks before they do the leaves. There
not many animals that take to Ii when dry with
out having il 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
M A ton of lueerne will not go quite as far
as ton of timothy. Do let hungry cattle
get on it while green. especially when wet, for
it will bloat them If you wish 70 pasture IT,
frat feed your stock ell That they can and will