The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-09-02

Cor. OF Inc Progressive FARMER.
That it is easy to make mistakes in
growing alfalfa has been abundantly
proved by the experience of American
farmers, many of whom, after the first
trial have concluded that it is not
what it is recommended to be. This
crop, however, is making its way as
people learn how to grow it.
ALFALFA SOILS.
A deep rich sandy or gravelly loam
is probably the best soil for alfalfa,
but it will do well on a variety of soils.
A hardpan subsoil may prove an OBJ
stacle to its growth but not every clay
hGrdpan has prevented its success, az
the writer has found by experience.
In heavy clay soils which become wa
ter soaked during long periods of
rainy weather it will not do well un-
less either the natural drainage is
good or the soil is tile drained; nor
will it succeed on swampy lands or on
any low lying lands where the water
table is close to the surface.
Whether the soil is sand or gravel,
clay or a mixture of various classes
of soils, it is best that it be well drain
ed and fairly rich. Alfalfa will not
spring up quickly on poor soil and
fight it's way with weeds and grasses
as the cowpea will. Indeed, it is a
tender plant during the first year of
its existence and should receive good
care.
SEEDING AND SOIL PREPARATION.
The method of seeding and prepa-
ration of the soil will depend upon
whether the crop is sowed in the
spring or fall. Northern growers SOW
broadcast in the spring but Southern
growers prefer fall sowing in rows or
drills.
1t is very doubtful in the mind of
the writer whether it is wise to SOW
in drills in any climate. Certainly it is
broadcasted in the great alfalfa re-
gions of the world and the only argu-
ment in favor of sowing in drills is
that it can be hoed and cultivated and
weeds and grasses kept down. This a
good argument provided there is no
other way to accomplish the same re-
suit But to SOW alfalfa in drills and
then hoe and cultivate it the first year
is an expensive process and if the hoe
ing and cultivating are not kept up
during the following years, weeds and
grasses will fill the unoccupied space
and gradually choke it.
The better way is to SOW the seed
broadcast and thick enough so that
the ground will be fully occupied
which means not less than twenty
pounds of seed per acre nor more than
thirty. Then if the soil is properly
fertilized and the crop cut at the right
times the alfalfa will keep ahead of
the wee ds.
Broadcast sowing in the spring is
not to be recommended for the South
because the crab grass will probatlS
choke it.
Assuming, then, that fall sowing Is
practiced it is well to prepare for the
crop ahead of time. If possible, give
a dressing of 10 to u two-horse loads
of stable manure per acre in May and
sow to cowpeas. The peas should be
Sowed in rows and cultivated so that
the land will be free from weeds and
grass. In August or early Septem,
Der the peas, vines included, should be
harvested or pastured closely and the
ground plowed and sowed to alfalfa
If the soil is lumpy it should be work
ed till it is pulverized finely then sowr
broadcast and narrowed in with 6
spike tooth or smoothing harrow.
FERTILIZATION.
Alfalfa responds to applications o1
potash, phosphoric acid and lime anG
l" also benz ted by ni+-ogenous tertil
Ners during the early stages of it:
growth.
a good fertilization at the time Of
sowing would be the following
nr.rr w0L-