Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-10-26
More on Alfalfa for Texas.

More Alfalfa for Texas.
Some weeks ago, while writing our
first article on alfalfa culture for Texas,
we little dreamed of the interest in the
mater that was soon TO be stirred up.
Large numbers of letters have since been
received on the subject from various sec
tons OF the state-some detailing ex-
periences with alfalfa, some asking for
further information and some inquiring
where seed could be had. Not one word
has been sent III that could be construed
as casting the slightest reflection against
alfalfa culture for us-it has all stood
entirely one-sded. Every present indl-
cation can be taken as pointing to q
quite general interest, ana 10 all con-
cerned we now feel entirely justified IN
making the sweeping statement, based
upon our own observations and upon
much information lately received, that
alfalfa. properly managed, can be made
Il grand crop for the Lone star state.
Under these circumstances 1t must be
admitted that the general interest re-
ferred to Is entirely good sort of inter-
est to have an existence.
Since the time Of our first writing in
these columns on the subject of alfalfa
we have seen quite q mum Der of small
alfalfa patches in Texas, and, though
familiar with the crop in other sections
Of the country, we must be permitted 10
say that, all things considered, we have
never yet found it making better show
Jugs anywhere than we have found it
making here On this account we can
not do otherwise than hope that our peo-
pie will keep up the alfalfa interest until
the crop has been made really proni-
nent feature in Texas agriculture. There
would seem to exist no natural cause cal
cuatsd to prevent this last.
The forage question is one of vast i'm
nortance even for Texas. We have here
the finest wild grasses known to the
world, yet the time is at hand when tame
forage must come in for prominent
place, and alfalfa appears to be Offering
us one OF the best things in that line that
could possibly be had, and as good Il
thing as there is any need for. 1t has
already proved the very life of other
sections, ana there is every reason for
BELIEVING that it can be made 10 do IS
well aud as much for us Gs it has done
anywhere. Without alfalfa California
would speedily drop many degrees on her
scale of agricultural prosperity, and
even many Northern regions are depend
ing largely upon it.
Speaking of California leads us to think
of making reference to recent letter
on the subject of alfalfa contributed by
Mr. :. II. Beaufort of Santa Rosa
county, Cal. to the Florida Farmer and
Friut-Grower. Mr.. Beaufort states that
in Southern California he chad seen
barren desert-wastes transformed into
the finest pastuIage through alfalfa
alone. 1t stands at the head of the long
list of forage plants, in the estimation of
the largest breeders of fine stock (many
of them eminent authorities) VINO have
used it. In addition TO its excellent
qualities as q hay producing plant, 1t
will Of planted ut the proper SEASON.
grow luxuriantly through anv heat or
drouth our country may be subjected to,
and can be cut tour or FIVE times per
aunum, besides giving splendid pasturGge
through the winter.
Could our many farmers, it-grOw-
ers and others of some of the Southern
states be induced TO seed down in alfalfa
few of the many acres they possess,
and which are now lying idle, hundreds
OF dollars would he kept at home which
otherwise 20 North for hay.
An Illinois correspondent of the Fruit
Growers Journal, writing on the same
subject. says: 81 want to tell you about
my third of an acre OF alfalfa. The first
crop for this year was heavy one, fully
twerty-eight inches in height, was cut
the 9Th of Juno, and the second crop is
now on the ground. Il is past full
blossom and will be saved for seed. Last
year cut four crops of green heritage,
this year do not expect but three, be-
cause one crop grown for seed requires as
much time to make in as two saved for
hay The letter bears date OF July %.
So, you see, our climate offers nothing
against the successful culture of alfalfa.
II is not too cold, for alfalfa succeeds in
Illinois. Ii is not too dry or too warm,
foT alfalfa succeeds in California.