The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1889-09-05
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.
Lueerne as a Forage Crop.

Lucerne as Forage Crop.
Lucerne, as a soiling and forage
crop, is specially adapted to the soil
and climate of the Southern States.
1t withstands the drought of summer
and the severest cold of this latitude.
1t keeps constantly green and, during
mild winters, it is constantly growing.
It's roots penetrate from ten to twenty
feet beneath the surface, and, as it
draws large part of its substance
from the atmosphere, it thrives and
grows vigorously where other plants
droop and die.
The soil best adapted to lucern is a
rich sandy loan, with good, we'll
drained subsoil. It will not grow upon
land that retains water. Before seed
ing, the land should be well broken
and thoroughly pulverized. The
analysis of lucerne would indicate that
a good supply of lime in the soil will
be of advantage. If the land is put
in good filth after being we'll MANFRED,
l know of no crop that will make a
more abundant yield than lucerne. My
first crop will be ready to cut by
April rs. Under favorable seasons
/ will be able to save four more during
the year. do not believe there is any
known plant that will yield more nutri-
ment, per acre, than lucerne. Prof.
Wref's analysis of lucerne, when in
blossom and cut for hay, shows, al
buminoids, IA A; carbohydrates, 225;
crude fiber, 40; fat, 2.5, in 100 parts.
The amount of forage that can be
grown on a suitable, well-prepared lot
of lucerne is wonderful. 1t is especial
ly adapted to the production of milk
and butter Cows are very fond of it.
IN test, made in an experiment sta
ton in one of the Western States, it
was found to be an admirable food for
hogs. One acre will furnish sufficient
food for four cows, during the season
of soiling. One farmer claims to have
kept four horses on an acre from the
first of May until the first of October,
without any other food.
When quite young it is liable to be
overrun by weeds and destroyed. 1t will
be better, therefore, to sow in the fall
in drills about Is or IS inches apart,
and keep entirely free from grass and
weeds for the first year. After that
the growth will be sufficiently early
and vigorous to take care of itself. 1t
is sometimes sown broadcast, with
good results, but the crop is much
more certain if sown in drills and Gull
tivated. After the first year it is only
necessary to top dress and lightly har-
row. Properly cared for one seeding
will last ten or twenty years.
One farmer near me claims to have
saved ninety dollars from the use of
one acre in lucerne. as food for his
stock. In such sections of the State
as will not grow red clover to advan-
tage, lucerne can be cultivated with
great profit. Its rapid growth, after
being cut, RECEIVERS it's vitality and
shelters its roots from the hot sun. It
revives and rapidly RECEIVERS itself I'M
der a drought that would utterly de-
stroy less vigorous plants.
If the farmers in Georgia would
take a few of the acres they have been
giving to cotton, manure very heavily,
thoroughly pulverize and sow to lu-
cerne, as suggested above, they would
obtain large amount of very desira-
BILE stock food at very little cost.-W.
j. Northen, in Southern Cultivator.