The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-04-06
ALFALFA PAYING
CROP in VIRGINIA.
Experiments in PittsyIvania that
Were Very Successful.
FIVE CROPS IN ONE YEAR
Does Not Exhaust the Soil, but Gives
Back Nearly as Much as it Takes
from it--Fire in Pttsyl-
vania County.
Especial Dispatch to The Timcs.)

DANVILLE, VA, April sit is mani
testify worthy Of note in a section like
this, where the soil does not seem to be
well adapted to the growth of most OF
tho true grasses usually relied upon for
hay, that such splendid forage plant
as alfalfa is entirely available. 1t has
been demonstrated by actual test that
the crop can be grown with entire sue
cess. An example is at hand a we'll
known gentleman of this city has a small
piece Of land in Alfalfa. Last year,
being the second after the ground was
seeded, it yielded five crops, four of
which were saved in good conditions and
one damaged by wet weather.
1t is conservatively estimated that each
cutting yielded from one to one and
half tons of dry hay per acre: The hay
is the very bcst-eduAl to and possibly SUI
perior to the best grade of clover hay.
The land when sown was in medium
condition, having q red subsoil. It is
elevated and the soil is dry. It has since
been ,topdressed with about 2o1 pounds Of
bone meal per acre, which makes it mod
erately rich.
THE SEED.
From fifteen to twenty pounds of seed,
which can be procured at a reasonable
price from any up-to-date seed house,
is sufficient for an acre.
There is nothing complicated about the
processes Of securing a stand OF this
splendid forage plant. OF course the
land should be well prepared. It is not
an annual, as many suppose Does not
need to be sown every year. it is not
even a biennial growth as common Glow
e1. IS known to be. II is well ascertained
that fields in Mexico have grown the
crop continuously for thirty years and
more.
Like clover, it does not exhaut the soil.
but gives back as much as it takes away.
The test made here proves that it stands
the winters OF this latitude. It is deep
rooter. Reaches down and gets moisture
when other crops suffer- and gets warmth
where others would freeze. It should be
extensively cultivated throughout this
section OF Virginia.
ALL, WRONG.
Some wagons that come into this city
with tobacco, return with baled hay. This
should not be, especially when such q
hay producer as Alfalfa can be grown
It is a wonderfully rapid grower. No
true grass will give four or five cuttings
in one season.
The crop here is now in a, flourishing
condition. and will be ready to cut in a
couple of weeks. Here is a boon for
farmers in this section of Virginia. If they
will only take mold OF 1t and make the
most of it.
Democratic candidates for the City Coun
Gil, to be voted for at the primary on the
10th instant were nominated in ward
meetings on Wednesday, night.
The residence, household gods and near
Sly all the thing Of Mr.. W. r. Hutson
and his family whose home was near
Stony Mills. was DESTROYED by fire early
this week. Mr. Hutson is al Industrious
man. whose 1otswas not an easy one and
the struggleBWit adversely is made much
harder by this calam ty. $ss.s
IA DRGUERRANTSL
SIS Dr. FL o. Guerrant, of Kentucky. lee
tured here last Tuesday night for the
benefit Of the Daughters OF the Confed-
eracy. The lecture Sembo died some OF