The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1894-12-07
COBURN'S DEDUCTIONS.
n LFALFA thrives best in a warm
"A and friable soil, above a sub
Il soil porous or gravelly-the

L i soil porous or gravelly-the
opposite of a stiff, compact clay,
''gumbo" or ''hardpan, or any STRAIT
um through which the roots penetrate
with difficulty, although occasional ex-
ceptiohs to the latter are claimed as
having been observed. A sandy loan
SOIL appears to afford the most favor
able conditions for alfalfa growth
where not irrigated. More than
almost any other plant, it depends for
its prosperity upon IA subterranean
rather than a surface water supply.
For seeding Il luamy soil to alfalfa
it should have been in cultivation a
sufficient length of time to thoroughly
subdue or eradicate its 'swild" nature:
it should be deeply plowed, and, if not
to be irrigated, subsoil as deep as
possible; the surface should be thor
oughly pulveriZed and made soomth
by plank drag or similar implement.
In sandy soiis, some of the best results
have come from seeding on sod.
especially where the subsoil is also quite
sandy and porous. Such a soil might
he injured rather than benefited by
subsoiling, and where such land has
been i'll 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 OF other plants, and
may be sown either broadcast or with
a drill, and should be covered, approx
imately, with an inch of fine soil. The
quantity of seed varies: if the crop is
chiefly intended for seed-raising, -
pounds is often found sufficient, while,
| if Il fine quality of hay is desired,
sometimes as much us 80 pounds is
sown; yet. 20 pounds represents nearly
the quantity used by the generality of
those who raise the crop for both hay
and seed. Ii sown in the spring it
should be us early us danger from
frost is past.
The permanent success OF aggrava-
ting failure of an alfalfa crop very
largely depends upon the favorable
conditions attending it's first year. .. If
from any of the many possible causes.
such as ground poorly prepared. feeble
OF foul seed, hard feezing, insufficient
moIsture, or too severe pasturlng, an
even, uniform and sufficient Stand is
not obtained the first year, all later
efforts to bring it into satisfactory
condition result largely i'll disappoint-
ment. Under even the most favorable
conditions, alfalfa is not expected to
make much showing during its first
year.
Much the largest yearly yields are
obtained by irrigation; yet there are
extended areas III Kansas and other
states where, without irrigation, three
AMI sometimes more, cuttings annually,
amounting to several tons of hay per
acre, are obtained, including crop of
to 10 bushels of superior seed.
x*x
Alfalfa will neither flourish nor long
survive in a soil with water standing
upon or near tie surface. 1t coll-
sumes much water, but an excess.
either naturally or artiticially applied
| tby too long continued ilootIing), is
altogether fatal.
The cultivation for young alfalfa, OF
rather its kindly protection against
being crowded or overshadowed by
high weeds, and its encouragement to
stool and spread, is tie use of the NOW
ing machine with its sickle bar set
high enough to prevent cutting near
tine ground. The clippings made in
this way serve, in some degree, as /.
valuable mulch.
| Owing to its containing ~ per cen,
water, Il per cent more than rel
clover, green alfalfa requires care,
considerable time and drying weather
to evaporate from 1t the extremely
large percentage of moisture necessar,
to be gotten rid of before it Is properly
cured hay, and without getting rid CT
which it is not safe from heating u
moulding in stack or NOV: although
as is well known. a very important
drying and curing process takes plac.
after storing hay that at the tim,
appeared far from sufficiently, or ever
safely. dry. Those who irrlgate fine
it very profitable to flood their ground
some little time before each cutting
, in order to stimulate and start at one,
the succeeding growth. The surfac,
should not he wet at the time of cut
ting, as sucl, condition seriousl,
!. interfereS with and retapis the prump