Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-01-08
A Paper Full of information Which
Was Read at the Farmers lnsti.
tute by Prof. WyIie.
LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE
Many Timely Hints on How to Grow
the Largest Crops Of This valu-
able Fodder.

Wylie says:
Since the great number of the farm
ers of this valley seem to be running
to clover of late, it seems but fitting
that alfalfa should have some de
tense. Defense, not apology.
II the object be to use our land 81
as to renew or enrich it for grail
farming, and at the same time avoit
summer following, or the loss of any
return from the land every othel
year, then clover is the thing.
But if the object be to get the mos
from a given amount of land, in The
way of a heavy product, both in quail
ity and quantity, then alfalfa is thu
thing.
| will not say much of clover as /
has abundant advocates in this pres
enee, and | am one of them for the
purpose limited at above. | will only
here refer to it by the way of compari
o as a feed and a to yield.
Alfalfa is a perennial plant. Needs
not replanting, after once having oh
tanned a good stand. Clover is a bi
ennial plant. Lasts well but two
years. Alfalfa is much more easily
cured and saved without mold ant
dust than clover is. Alfalfa yields
much more to the acre, on well adapt
ed land; three crops per a II
this valley.
| believe alfalfa has a much better
feeding value per ton than that of req
clover.
About the only objection made tc
alfalfa is that it is not good feed fol
horses. This is an imaginary objec
ton My farm work. for years, has
been done on alfalfa feeding. | grant
that horses sweat more easily oil
more p~rofusely when fed upon this
hay, but that is no hindrance to theiI
endurance. The best men I employ
sweat most. An alfalfa fed Horse new
er needs nitre; never any trouble with
his kidneys. The only objection tc
feeding it to livery or driving horses
is that 1t keeps the stable moist, since
this hay causes a horse to drink more
than timothy or wild hay does. Worl
and driving horses should be fed onl,
on the first crop. | feed horses frs
crop; cattle second crop; calves OF
young stock third crop. Stock hogs
will winter nicely, without other feed
if let run about alfalfa stocks. Third
crop alfalfa furnishes all the green
food needed for laying hens.
Alfalfa will not do we'll on all the
grounds where clover does well.
Alfalfa farming should never be at
tempted on low ground, or ground
where the roots may reach permanent
moisture at a depth of from four tC
eight feet. AS soon as the rootlets
touch permanent or continuous mois
ture it becomes pale, sickly looking
and soon dies out. II may do well OF
such ground for about three years
Then it will die. Never SOW it on lant
that for any part of the summer be
comes sub-irrigated. A stony soil will
good drainage. such as the lands II
the vicinity of the Belgrade, | believe
to be well adapted. But the best ant
surest land for alfalfa growing is on,
bench lands with clay sub-soil, wher'
irrigation is necessary.
On such land | get the first crol
without irrigation, but as 500 as thii
crop Is stacked | flood the ground. Al
ter the second crop is stacked ! fioo'
the ground again. Two irrigations 70
three crops. No part OF the fell
should be covered with water for
longer period than SO hours.
Never let water on the field or an.
part of it after the last crop is takel
off. My experiment has shown tina
about the only danger to tie contir
uous life of the plant is to have tn,
ground thoroughly wet when it freeze
up in the fall.
This leads to the question as L
whether II is hurt by p~asturing in tn
fall. For some years | kept all stocl
off my alfalfa land entirely. | consid
cred it too valuable a product to TAX
any chances as to having il killed on
by p%asturing the fall growth. How
ever. | have learned that II does n
hurt to pasture it in the winter whe'
the ground is frozen. To those VIII
have given much attention to tn
plant it will be no news to be told tina
all stock prefer the root to the plan
If they car get it. Hence Ii pasture
close when the ground is unfrozen O
soft, they will bite down so low as I
injure the crown of the root and tn
plant dies. They can get this growt
in the winter as we'll and it is as n,
tritious as when green. There is n
danger from bloat in the latter case.
A word as to how to start an alfalf
field. It Is much better to SOW
alone. II should be sowed with
drill; through the hose, but letting tn
hose run without pressure. Twent
pounds Of seed to the acre. This ca
be carefully gagged by spreading
canvas under your drill; setting you
drill upon blocks SO that you can tur
the wheels freely. and by watching tn
indicator on the drill which tells til
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