The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-09-25
LUCERNE OR ALFALFA.
Something of the Value of a Crop That
Should be More Generally Grown in the
South

! South,
! Correspondence of The Progressive Farmer.
We like the name Lucerne better.
Webecame acquainted with this plant
in our earliest years. Our home gar
den had the borders on either side of
the walks marked by rows of lucerne.
For half century those rows held
their own against all sorts of abuse.
How long it would have continued
to grow there we have no way of
! telling. The old home with all of
It's fond memories was turned over
to the negro tenants, and after plant
ing the garden in cotton for several
years they succeeded in getting rid
of the lucerne. Father paid sixty
cents per pound for those seed.
Those rows of living green are among
| the precious memories of childhood.
From this we are inclined to think
that when we have secured a set or
stand of lucerne, we have it for life
time, or even for succeeding genera
tions. This is one great point in it's
favor. Of course it can be destroyed
by neglect or abuse, but not by cul-
ture and use.
VALUE AS A FORAGE CROP.
In point of yield and feeding value,
lucerne stands at the head of the
list. Throughout the South it is
green all winter. It begins growing
early in spring, and with favorable
seasons may be cut four to seven
times.
1t is particularly valuable as a
green forage crop. You begin cut
ting as soon as it is sixteen inches
high. If you cut and feed day by
day, by the time you have gone over
a few acres it is ready to cut again
where you first begun. Used in this
way, you have a perpetual green
field all summer and fall. Cows
show an increased yield of milk and
butter from the first day it is given
them. Abe they decrease as soon as
you stop the ration of lucerne. This
will be true no matter what other
food you use. Nothing can take its
place in the dairy.
GOOD FOR HAY.
If desired for hay, you begin cut
ting as soon as it is in full bloom. 1t
is easily cured and makes a first class
hay. You can get from four to six
cuttings as the seasons and soil may
be good or bad. On good soil two
tons per cutting is not an unusual
yield. One and half may be counted
safe average. So you get from six
to eight tons per acre per season.
All stock are fond of it. Horses
and mules keep fat and hogs grow
we'll when fed lucerne.
It is not recommended for grazing
particularly. The caps which fur
nish the shoots are generally above
ground and hence liable to be bitten
off by cattle or hogs.
WHERE WILL IT GROW?
We might say anywhere. We do
not know any other forage plant that
has so wide range of climate and
soil adaptation. 1t grows all over
the United States. The South seems
especially suited to it's wants. Plenty
Of rain rejoices it, but owing to its
deep roofing it has wonderful power
for resisting drowth.
HOW TO PLANT LUCERNE.
The roots grow deeper than any
other field crop, often penetrating
from seven to twelve inches through
the stiffest clays. Hence the soil
should be broken very deep, and har-
rowed very often. Twelve to fifteen
pounds of seed should then be sOwn
broadcast per acre and covered light
ly. This should be done in Septem-
ber or early October, or February.
The fall sowing is better. It will
greatly help to use four hundred
pounds per acre of acid phosphate
and kainit mixed in equal proper
tions. 1t will be still better if you
have grown crop of COW peas and
cut them for hay. Top dressing
once a year with the above or with
stable manure or both will help.
Every farmer should have lucerne
patch or field. No farm is complete
without it. Wherever a COW is kept,
lucerne should grow for her. They
should go hand and hand.
For profit and for beauty, nothing
EQUALS lucerne. Fields of living
green beautify and enrich the farm,
and help to keep the boys and girls
happy and content upon the old farm
home.