The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1904-06-17
AIfaIfa experience on HlI! Laad.

National Stockman and Farmer.
Early in March. 1894, the writer
prepared a piece Of stiff clay land
and sowed TO alfalfa (alone) at the
rate OF Ii pounds Of seed to the
acre. A few days Of very favor
able weather followed, and a very
ilattering prospect was shown, but
on the 18th Of Aprila northern bliz-
gard swept down on as and Their
mometer touched zero, making sad
havoc OF our alfalfa. However,
here and there a protected plant
survived, and today after ten years
have elapsed these few plants may
be seen strong and thrifty, al
though the land has been plowed
with a hillside pillow and pastured
with cattle and hogs.
This my first experience with
alfalfa was a failure-and why?
Because / knew nothing of its ma.
ture and requirements.
Ny second effort was on hill
top OF new but very thin land; at
an elevation OF over LOO feet
above sea level. Soil a thin shale
or sandy gravel. This was sown
with rye as a nurse crop. A very
dry summer followed and fully 80
per cent OF the alfalfa persisted,
but enough withstood the drouth
to show its value. This piece Of
land has not been plowed during
the SIX years since it was seeded to
alfalfa. 1t is now used as a clover
meadow, and the alfalfa growing
among the clover shows Its value
as contrasted with the latter.
This too was a failure-and why!
Because | stlll knew nothing OF
the nature and requirements OF the
plant.
My third effort was on a piece oil
new land sown with oats for q
nurse crop. Land was strong
clay hill, sown in April and mixed
half and half with clover q still
knew no better. A good stand o.
clover was secured but my alfalft
was not a success futher than t.
show its value and ability to hole
its own, and stand "pat" agains
drouth and freezing as compared
with clover. Dodder got a bold OF
this piece OF clover and alfalfa aD(
one year ago it was plowed up AM
planted to corn. The alfalfa root
were so strong that many resisted
the hillside pillow and remained II
the ground, and today MAY 9
have a growth OF u to Is inches
This too was a failure, but onl,
gave encouI agement, for it show
ed so plainly what might be accom-
plished with the proper start an,
care OF the plant.
For the past two years hay
been close and careful reader q
The National Stockman and Fal
mer and have read all the writ
ings OF men who raise alfalfa sue
/, cessfully, and who do know the ma
ture aud requirements OF tho PLAN
/ hope have protlted by their g,
perience and teachings, and | no.
have my fourth trial well undo
way.
Land is hill lsnd-not the ide'
and that these writer's invarla bl
recommended, but land thin b
nature-but as well prepared
: is possible In a hill country and
pounds OF alfalfa sown to the acl
with bearless barley as nur
crop. AT this date have a splend
stand OF alfalfa with three leav
and / flatter myself that succe
: will this time come to me, becau
). now know how, and have done
: directed by those who have 81
! ceeded with it-tbanks to the n
:. tional Siockman and Farmer Al
those who contribute to its c.
- tumns.
The land where the present Fri
is being made is a thin san'
loan well drained. Was In clov
two years ago, turned under I
Ig potatoes; last year 1t was given
s. heavy coat OF stable manure, tur
rs ed under and planted to soy bea
p and heavy crop of SOY beans h
u produced for the extremely d
o. season-but | examined their roc
l. for the ncdules or tubercles, b
IL they were not there. They we
al all plant and no nodules while a
g, other piece Of land was planted
III the dwarf soy bean and they we
re all nodulcs and no plant. Now
e. want TO ask my alfalfa and bact'
ne la friends IT, l had best TO insu
Up success With my fourth attempt
w raise alfalfa inoculate the s.
m with the bacteria. Is the fact th
IL no tubercles were produced by t
soy beans last year any eviden
that the alfalfa viii be tailul
Are the bacteria OF red clover, 3
as beans and alfalfa all one and I
Is same?
cd Kentucky. w. I, X
no I'VE would suggest that this c
40. respondent write to the Depa
Al. ment OF Agriculture, Washingt'
nd d. c., for a supply OF bacteria.
this way he can inoculate a SIN
mart NJ his alfalfa at once and or