Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-09-07
PROFIT IN ALFALFA.
Crop That VIII Yield Great Returns with
Proner Cultivation.

Crop That VIII Yield Great Returns with
Proper Cultivation.
In favoring the cultivation of alfalfa,
in preference to clover under certain
conditions. Secretary Coburn, of the
state board of agriculture, has this to
say:
note by the consular reports from that
country that the area in France devoted to all
falfa-growing in 1893 was 1,924y504 acres, yield
ing 3.l22. l6S tons, valued at the magnificent to-
tai OF $5l ISL ,I53 Also. that the land devoted
to clover was 2-6S7,llS acres. yielding 1,94S,l56
tons, valued at S43.055.315 According to this
showing their yield OF clover but I.474
pounds per acre, while that of the alfalfa was
nearly 50 per cent more, or 2-2l5 pounds: tho
clover was valued by them at 81. Is per ton and
the alfalfa at s24 IL, or about per cent. more.
Putting it in another way, their acre in clover
produces a value OF S16 81 and an acre in alfalfa
S2607, or almost 81 per cent more than tho
clover.
Again: An acre of alfalfa yields them so
per cent more hay than an acre in clover; its
products is worth 9 per cent or nearly s. per
ton more. ton for ton. and nearly SlOr or 60 per
cent. more, acre for acre. In 1894 Kansas had
90S25 acres OF alfalfa, and this year has, ac-
cording to official returns, very close to l25O00s
acres, which is an increase of 80 per cent. This
together with the fact that five years ago there
were but 34.3S4 acres suggests that in tho
half decade since their attention hrSb
sharply attracted to the value and adaptabtltty'
of the plant the farmers OF Kansas have en-
barked in its culture with much energy, noh!
only on the lower lands where the underf1ow Is.
within easy root-reach but on the higher
prairies as we'll While alfalfa gives sure
promise of being boon to Kansas and con-
EguouS states, there are undoubtedly locale
ties, soils and conditions to which 10,
is but poorly adapted To be per-
suaded of it's worth and tmportand doe
not necessitate accepting, without quail
hcation. the honeStly-made, yet almost
incredible statements Of yields and profits In
all the notable alfalfa growing sections. Dis
counted fully One-half, they still indicate that,
under conditions such prevail on millions OF
Kansas acres, alfalfa can and should early be-
come an important factor in the agricultural
economy and prosperity Of the state.
AS authenticated instances are abundant OF
its roots penetrating the soil from Is to IS feet
and in one instance more than 100 feet, it is
readily apparent that when once established
it has great capacity for resisting the effects
of dry weather. For this reason it is unuSu-
ally we'll adapted TO large sections of the trans
Missouri region, yet at the same time 1t does
not flourish best unless the moisture condt-
tionS are such that it develops a strong root
hold the year of it's sowing.
Its being perennial that we'll rooted never
requires reseeding; its rank in feeding quality
being right up alongside of, If not superior to
clover or the best of other hays, and its yield
ing from two to four and sometimes more CUT
tings in a season, each equal to those of other
clovers and grasses that afford but one, make
it wonderfully attractive crop, and to mona
more than those who know it best.
The foremost alfalfa county in Kansas is
Finney, with 1900 acres; next in order are
Butler with 1897 acres; Mitchell, $685.; Cloud,
5,519, and Kearney, 5,022 acres.