The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-12-07
ALFALFA.
Bone Interesting Facts In Regard to III
Gathered from the state Agricultural
Report.


to the cultivation of alfalfa and its
value as a farm product.
Alfalfa thrives best in warm and
friable soil, above a subsoil porous or
gravelly-the opposite of stiff, con-
pact clay, ''gumbo' or "hardpan, or
anv stratum through which the roots
penetrate with difficulty. although oc-
casional exceptions to the latter are
claimed as having been observed \
sandy loan soil appears to afford the
most favorable conditions for alfalfa
growth where not irrigated. More
than almost any other plant, it depends
for its prosperity upon a subterraneap
rather than a surface water supply.
For seeding loamy soil to alfalfa it
should have been in cultivation a
sufficient length of time to thoroughly
subdue or eradicate its wild" nature;
it should be deeply plowed, and. if not
to be irrigated. SUBSIDIZED as deep as
possible: the surface should be thor
Oughlv pulverized and made smooth by
a plank dag or similar implement. In
sandy soils some of the best results
have come from seeding on sod. especi
ailv where the subsoil is also quite
sandy and porous. Such a soil might
be injured rather than benefited by
subsoiling. and where such land has
been in cultivation for several years a
thorough preparation of the surface
only will probably give best results.
The seed used should be free from
seeds of weeds or other plants. and may
be sown broadcast or with drill. and
should be covered. approximately,
with an inch Of fine soil The quantity
of seed varies: if the crop is chiefly
intended for seed-raising twelve pounds
i often found sufficient. while. if q
fine quality of hay i desired sometimes
a much as thirty pounds Is sown: vet
twenty pounds represents nearly the
quantity used by the generality OF
those who raise the crop for both hay
and seed. If sOwn in the spring, it
should be sown as early as danger
from frost is past.
Alfalfa will neither flourish nor long
survive in soil with water standing
upon or near the surface.
The cultivation for young alfalfa. or
rather its kindly protection against
NLONAGh VI ONCA >AAdAAONtA "
high weeds, and its encouragement to
stool and spread. Is the use of the
moving machine with its sickle bar
set high enough to prevent cutting near
the ground. The clippings made in
this way serve. in some degree, as a
valuable mulch.
Under some conditions. sowing alfal
IA in connection with a nurse crop.
such as oats or barley, is found very
satisfactory: this is practiced most in
California These serve to protect the
tender alfalfa plants. at critical peri
Cd. from injury by the sun.
As a renovator and enricher of the
soil. it is conceded the equal If not su-
perior of red clover. for. as has been
well said. it Is "a nitrogen gatherer of
the first magnitude. and the long roots
draw ash elements from depths where
no other crops could feed. storing them
up until. by their decay. they again
give them up to succeeding crops
Owing to the tougnness and size Of its
roots. 1t Is difficult to plow under. and
is eradicated only with much effort.
Good examples of alfalfa as a soil i'm
proven are seen in Weld county. Col,
where are raised the large yields OF
superior potatoes. which have made
'-Colorados" almost a synonym for po-
tatO perfection.
Owing to its containing - per cent.
water. Il per cent. more than red
clover. green alfalfa requires care, con
siderable time and drying weather to
-hn 1a--rra
percentage of moisture necessary to be
gotten rid of before it Is properly-cured
hay. and without getting rid of which
Il Is not safe from heating or molding
in stack OF NOW: although. as Is well
known. very important drying and
curing process takes place after stor-
ing hay that at the time appeared far
from sufficiently. or even safely. dry.
Either green. or cured as hay, the
nutritive qualities of alfalfa are sur
passed by few other plants, red clover
not exceeding it in protein or muscle
forming elements Farm animals of
all kinds relish and thrive, and. in
many instances, actually become quite
fat. upon dry hay alone. and cows kept
upon Il demonstrate its value for milk
making in both quantity and quality
of product
To cattle or sheep. unless very grad
uallv accustomed TO 1t. rank alfalfa
pasturage. by causing "bloat" or
--hoveu.- i always dangerous. and ex-
tremely and quickly fatal if they are
given access to 1t when quite hungry
or the alfalfa i wet with dew. rain or
frost
A proper stand Of alfalfa furnishes a
great quantity of extremely valuable
and much-relished pasturage for swine
and horses during a large part of the
year. and if the swine are, about once
a week. shifted from one pasture to
another. when il Is all heavily stocked.
the change Is beneficial TO the animals
and the pasture. For horses. idle or at
slow work. the hay Is also highly es-
teemed. but for those used in "a pid
driving or road work ii Is often found
too '-washy." or laxative
The ripened alfalfa from which seed
has been thrashed is counted of little
value by some feeders, yet many Others
esteem II almost or quite as highly as
# cut earlier for hay alone That it
has considerably feeding value can
scarcely be controverted.
While alfalfa gives sure promise of
being indeed boon to Kansas and con-
tiguous states. there are undoubtedly
localities. soils and conditions to which
II is but poorly adapted To be per-
suaded OF its worth and Importance
does not necessitate accepting, without
10 Ln.Ae-1r-
meant. vet prodigious. almost incredi-