Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-12-06


The report Of the Kansas department of
agriculture for November, just issued, IL
hand book of $40 pages, devoted to alfalfa
its history, characteristics, cultivation, worth
and uses-dscussed bv the most scientific
observers and practical growers and users in
the twelve alfalfa. producing states and ter
rtOrles of America.
The book comprises three divisions,
First-lntroductory and deductions by the
secretary.
Second-Alfalfa yarously considered; A
little alfalfa history; tho growing aud using
of alfalfa; Rlfalfa-cspecinlly in Kansas;
aliafn-especally from Utah standpoint;
alfalfa on Kansas upland without irrigation !;
alfalfa and permanent moisture; n compar-
ison of yields; feeding value of alfalfa hays
alfalfa versus cora; alfalfa for hog raising;
harvesting alfalfa hay; stacking alfalfa; a.
good alfalfa shed boat from eating green
alfalfa; tympanitis or bloating, and its treat.
ment.
Third-Reports Of alfnfa.growing 80 By
suites and counties.
INTRODUCTORY ny THE SECRETARY,
Probably at no time in the history of tho
central west, or the region west Of tho Mis-
souri, river and eastward Of tho continental
divide, and especially in Kansas and Ne
uluhhui HuNt NV UkIltulluIWl DpDulHLlOn
taken such IN intense and intelligent inter-
ct ns now in the question Of what crops arc
best adapted to their conditions OF locality,
soil, and climate and the methods best cal
culated to give adequate returns for values
invested IN their production. One of those
crops upon which the largest measure of
new interest has centered during tho past
year or more, in KANSAS, il alfalfa (also Of
ten called ucern) and the yields and profits
san frAV, tla la
reported by gentlemen Of the highest integ-
riy Enthusiastically Indicate that in this
plant rye area, II not all of Kansas, has
an agricultural acquisition OF tremendous
importance. To aid 10 disseminating the
utmost accurate available information
among the people interested, the state bonrd
OF agriculture, with desire to neither mag
Nifty nor underrate its importance, has can
vassed those most familiar with the subject
In its various phases, and In all the sections
of the United States where alfalfa Is cult
waited TO any considerable extent, including
the scientific experlnenters, trained obBerv-
ers, and, particularly and largely, the prac-
tical produc rs. The sections where inf0r-
nation was most earnestly sought, outside
of Kansas, we're the ftntes of California,
Colorado, Montana Nebraska, Oregon,
Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming. and Ari-
iona, New Mexico, and Utah. From county
uluGlNlb vi cHtU Oh lllthc WcIB ODJnlnCu Ill0
names Of those whom they knew TO be most
argely identified or familiar with alfalfa
growing, and TO nearly 200 OF these were
sent blanks containing n list OF questions
framed to. draw out what the recipient had
learned or observed that might b3 Of practi-
cal worth TO those contemplating test of
alfalfa on their own account. From the
mass Of most valuable information con-
tributed, the secretary has colated deduc-
tons intended 10 BE-. as a rule, more e'pe.
cially applicable TO Kansas than elsewhere.
SOME OF THE DEDUCTIONS
Alfalfa thrves best in a warm and friable
soil. above sub'oil porous or gravelly-the
opposite Of stiff, compact clay, "gunbo"
or "hardpan," or any stratum through which
tho roots penetrate with difficulty. although
occasional exceptions to the latter arc
claimed to have been observed. sandy
loan soil appears to afford the most favora-
BILE conditions for alfalfa growth where not
irrigated. More than almost any other
plant, it depends for its prosperity upon
subterranean rather than surface water
supply.
For seeding loamy soil to alfalfa, IL
should have been in Gu tivation a sufficient
length Of time to thoroughly subdue or Grad.
icate its wild nature, it should be deeply
plowed, and If not to be irrigated, subsoiled
as deep as possible the surface should DO
thoroughly puIyerizad and made smooth by
plank drag or similar implement. In
sandy soils, some of the best results have
come from seeding on sod, especially where
the subsOil is quit sandy and porous. Such
a soil might be injured rather than benefited
by subsOling, and where such land has been
in cultivation for several years thorough
preparation Of the surface only will proba-
bly, give best results.
The seed should be covered, approximately,
with an inch Of fine soil. Twenty pounds
of seed represents nearly the quantity used
by the generality OF those who raise the
crop for both bay and seed. If sown in the
spring, II should be as early as danger from
frost Is past.
The pernaner- success or aggravating fail
ure OF an alfalfa crop very largely depends
upon the favorable conditions attending its
first year. Under even the most favorable
conditions, alfalfa ia not expected to make
much showing during its first year,
Alfalfa will neither flourish nor loug sur
yive in n soil with water standing upon or
near the surface. 1t consumes much water.
but an excess, either naturally or artifcially
applied (by too long tiooding), is altogether
fatal.