Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-07-16
AlfaIfa-Growing in Kansas.
EDWARDS COUNTY

EDWARDS COUNT.
R. z. EDWARDS, Kinsley Have been growing
alfalfa four years, and have one hundred and fifty
acres growing now on bottom land. 1 have al
ways sowed the seed as early possible in the
spring after danger from frosts. I prepare the
ground in the same way as for oats or barley, and
SOW the seed broadcast with a hand sower, and
cover it lightly with brush or harrow. The next
time I shall cover the seed as deep I do
for oats, az I think it will be better. ] usually
sow one-half bushel OF seed to the acre. The crop
is not of much value for hay pasture during the
first year. cut three times during the season
and get from one TO one ard half tons at each
time, according to the rainfall. I think alfalfa
hay is worth four times as much as prairie hay.
The second crop is considered the best for seed,
but have not threshed any for seed. The seed
is now worth about s. per bushel. The value of
the total product of alfalfa hay and seed per acre
varies greatly with the rainfall; an average year
it is about $50 If the crop is not cut one acre
will pasture hogs about seven months. My
great trouble so far has been to secure a good
stand. On one-half Of my field it is only fair,
while on the other it Is very line. would recon-
mend continuous experimenting and not pillow up
If first sowing does appear to be almost failure.
When It has taken a strong hold it is great crop
for me.
FINNET COUNTY.
o. V. FOLSOM, Garden City.-Haye had eight
years experience in growing alfalfa Have now
forty-ive acres growing upland. In preparing
the ground for crop, the blowing should be deep
and pulyerizing thorough. 1 SOW the seed during
the last week in March or the first week in April,
and sow % pounds 10 the acre. 1 consider the
first years crop of value for hay and pasture. AT
ter the first year the crop may be cut for hay four
times during the season, averaging one and one
third tons each time. If seed is saved then cut
but twice. Alfalfa hay is much more valuable as
feed for stock than prairie hay. The average
yield of seed per acre is about five bushels. Val
ne per bushel, So so. Total value of product in
hay and seed, S22 so per acre. When not cut, the
crop will afford pasture for seven eight months
of the year. would not recommend sowing al
falfa on upland with clay subsoil.
ALLEN F. LEE, Deerfed.-Have grown alfalfa
for five years, and now have sixtYfve acres on up.
land. SOW the seed during the last two weeks
in March, using about twenty-five pounds to the
acre. In preparing the ground 1 pillow and bar
row it thoroughly, and level it with a drag before
sowing 1 consider the crop of value for hay dur
ing the first season. After the first year cut the
crop three times for hay, and get from one to one
and half tons each time. 1t is now worth So
per ton. In 1880 NY crop of seed was ten bushels
per acre. For an average year the value of tota,
product of seed and hay is S2s per acre. One acre
of alfalfa, if not cut, will afford pasture for ten
head Of hogs seven months. I would not recon-
mend growing alfalfa on upland with clay subsoil
FORD COUNTY.
JOHN II. CHURCHILL, Dodge City. Have grown
alfalfa four years. Now have sixty acres grovinp
On secOnd-bottom land, with water from eight 10
sixteen feet from the surface. In preparing for
crop ploW deep during the fall, sow the seed
about April LIST, covering 1t with harrow and roll
ing the ground afterwards. consider the crop OF
value for pasture or hay the first year. The crop
may be cut after the fret year twice during the
season, and three times il under irrigation THE
hay is worth IS per ton, and for feeding stoek IL
is worth twice as much az the best prairie hay /
cut the second time fer seed while the pods are
turning yellow. Value OF seed, $50 per bushel:
cut, one acre of alfalfa will pasture twenty head
Of hogs SIX months.
ITO be Continual