Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1898-04-27
Alfalfa Growing.
w. T. TIProN,
Secretary.

To the arid regions of the Western
states, alfalfa has without question
been one Of the most valuable plants
ever introduced. 1t Is to the arid re-
gions vastly more than the little red
clover is TO the Middle and Eastern
states. Alfalfa prefers a light, or
sandy or loamy soil, and a subsoi1
through which its long roots can
readily penetrate. Soils underlaid
with shale or hardpan are not con-
ducive to ITS successful growth for the
reason that the roots must penetrate
the subsoil until they find moisture in
abundance. But while the plant pre-
fers light and porous soils, it is not
necessarily restricted to them, for 1t
has been grown on clay, giving good
results, though this is the exception
rather than the rule. The greatest
difficulty is to get stand. In this
have succeeded three years out of
eight, but in none of these three has
the alfalfa given sufficient growth to
warrant either cutting or pasturiug
the first year. When once established
in the soil the trouble is over, and IL is
one of the most tenacious of the legu-
minous family of plants, enduring
more dry weather, more heat, and per-
haPs more cold than any of the forage
plants. 1t seems to defy the hottest
sun, the dryest soil and the widest
va ria tfnv1c Of
My best results it starting alfalfa
have followed early and deep spring
plowing, thoroughly pulveriziug sur
face and the seed sown broadcast at
the rate of 20 or Is lbs per acre, and
oats sown with it at the rate of one
bushel per acre, all narrowed lightly,
covering the seed very shallow.
Twelve or Is lbs of good seed per acre
would be an abundance, but in my ex-
perience 40 to IS per cent of the seed
did not germinate.
The great difficulty is in getting the
plant to start, and the slow growth of
the first year precludes 1t from COM
ing into any short rotation. Any
thing can not be expected from il the
first year. The second year it may be
cut not less than twice or more than
three times. It will be of stronger
growth the third and fourth years If
not pastured, but will probably not
improve any after the fourth season.
though it may be continued almost in.
definitely upon the same ground.
To get the most out of alfalfa Il
should be cut and fed green or cured
for hay, and it is in the best condition
for cutting for hay when it begins to
blossom. If left much longer the
stems become woody and less digestil-
BILE. When used green, either as a
pasture or as summer food, it should
not be fed without whiting nor pas
tured while wet, az there is danger of
bloating. From the best evidence
am able to gather, have reason to
believe that in this respect IL is more
dangerous than common clover. As
hay it is relished by all farm animals.
Any animal that will eat cour,on
clover will relish alfalfa, and In feed
ing ats value is regarded-as superior
to the clover hay. From my experi-
ence 1 believe that river and creek bot
toms as well as other soils of a 1ooee
and porous nature will grow alfalfa
profitable, but cannot recommend II
indiscriminately for Ohio soils, though
have no doubt but that it will do
well in some sections and upon some
soils. and when it does succeed it win
give as good returns as any other crop
that can be grown upon i'll. III.
in Orange Judd Farmer.