The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-26
A Great soiling Plant-Alfalfa, or Lu-
Germ. For Southern Dairymen.

of the fifteen or twenty grasses and
clovers that may be considered as cream
of a long list that can be made more or
less available in southern pastures and
meadows, it would be difficult to name as
many as three others that are likely to be
as valuable to the southern dalryman as
this one of Lucern, or Alfalfa, as II is
more commonly called in the western part
OF the country.
Though Lucern is really clover it is a
little singular that IL does its best on soils
almost the very opposite of what is best
adapted to red clover. The latter thrives
hest on clayey soil, while Lucern makes
its best growth on sandy soil. 1t is much
easier, we believe, to make Lucern sue
coed on clayey soil than it is to make red
clover do well on sandy soil. AS matter
of course we assume that both are rich
enough TO sustain growth.
ANY sandy soil, with a good subsoil
that has the necessary elements of plant
food, will make a good return in Lucern.
How far north it will survive the winter
we do not know, but we are quite sure it
is adaptable to all that territory south of
the 36Jh parallel of latitude.
Lucern I'VE shall use this term instead
of Alfalfa) is perennial, and once sown
properly and established will last at least
len AedES-SdN, uOWGNGls i've years
Luceru meadows have been known to con
tinue in good condition over twenty years.
However, if a meadow continued to- pro-
duce satisfactory results only five years,
it would make ample return to the owner.
Our observation and experience has been
such that we do not hesitate to recon-
mend this plant to every southern farmer
who keeps even one COW. II furnishes as
good food for horses, mules, sheep and
no. nc Hna. for. 1,yrra rHTa had tlNC
dairyman more in mind than any one else
when we took our pen to talk about
Lucern
FOR a soiling cropit is simply superb"
After it has become perfectly established
it will give four or five good cuttings be-
tween March and November; as many as
six or seven have been taken, but let US
say only three. That would be blessing
to any southern farmer, a large majority
Of whom rarely raise enough hay and
green food TO supply their stock album
dainty with it at all seasons.
The best time to start Lucern is in the
fall-Oct. | To Nov. l5-the earlier the
better, of course. Sown at that season
we should ad wise broadcast sowing by all
means, but if started in the spring it
would he better, in most instances, to sow
IN drills so that the Lucerne can be cult
waited and kept free of weeds until it gets
sowing is much to be preferred still
rather than lose the advantage
of six months earlier sowing, we
would sow in February or March
rather than wait until October
1t requires a good deal less seed to SOW in
drills, but we much prefer to use the
larger quantity of seed. In sowing broad
cast we would not use less than twenty
pounds pr seed, but in drilling five pounds
would be ample. Seeds should be pro
cured some weeks before time for sowing
ana well tested so as to know what per
cent are likely to grow If the soil is not
ma urally rich IL should be made rich by
APP Acatlon of some good fertilizer. After
II as been well plowed and narrowed the
SEED should be evenly sown and then the
glound should be well rolled, or in the
a Sence or roller a drag may be used
VI course you must not expect Lucern or
any other plant to give three or four crol s
year without supplying some food. So
every Two years during the winter or
early spring good top dressing of some
complete fertilizer must be made to the
meadow. This fertilizer must be chiefly
OF mineral nature-potash and phos-
phonc acid. Perhaps a little nitrogen
may be needed. Bone dust and ashes will
I Dt an appropriate application usually.
4 WIN proper management Lucern ought to
Yield hYe or six tons of cured hay or its
equivalent In green food every twelve
months, and the dairyman that once has
ameadow OF it would most likely refuse
SIoO per acre for it, He would ask of
nose VINO have ever tried it, is that not