Gilpin observer., 1904-07-07
THE FARM AID RANGE
Value Of Alfalfa.

Alfalfa is as old as the hills. It has
been cultivated since civilization and
was familiar to the Egyptians and Per-
slams. 1t was known in Greece 450 B.
c. The Romans esteemed 1t highly as
forage for the horses of their army.
Its cultivation has been maintained in
Italy to the present time. From Italy
1t was introduced into Spain, and from
there carried to Mexico during the
Spanish invasion.
The Spaniards also took 1t to South
America, where 1t now grows wild in
places.
From. Chill it reached California in
1854. 1t rapidly spread eastward and
now is largely grown throughout the
humid as well as the arid states.
A Farm Writer Says.
The secret of its great success
would seem to be in it's root penetrat-
ing power. Plants four or FIVE months
old are known to have roots five or six
feet long, and If there is any moisture
the root will penetrate the hardest
hardpan. 1t is common to find roots
from IL to Is feet long, 1t will grow
on most any kind of SOIL sandy loan
being the best. However, it will do
well on gunbo, on the highest bench
lands or on the lowest river bottoms;
1t will come nearer making crop on
gravelly land than any other plant. 1t
is about the last crop to be killed by
alkali. 1t will, after once well set,
come nearer making good crop with
out water than any other one known.
On the other hand it will stand more
water and oftener in the hot season If
properly put on and off than any other
plant.
II farmer does not care for hay, it
is a paying crop to let 1t go to seed.
There is great demand for the seed.
One can cut as much hay from one
crop of alfalfa as from any other hay
and still raise crop of seed that is
as valuable as the average crop.
1t will produce from three to seven
tons to the acre.
1t will produce from five to fifteen
bushels to the acre.
1t is the nearest to a balanced ration
of any crop grown.
Il has more protein than wheat
bran.
1t will come nearer crowding out all
foul weeds and grasses than any other
plant
Three hundred and sixty stalks
udNc Ueeu STOWu Ouc Seeu.
Unlike most other plants it does not
exhaust the soil, but enriches it, SO
much so that grain yields nearly double
where alfalfa is plowed up.
The digestibility of alfalfa is
changed less by the process of curing.
than that of any other forage plant.
Dry alfalfa in the summer is as palat-
able to the dairy COW as green grass. 1t
contains largely the succulent qualities
Of green grass in June, keeping the di-
gestive organs open and active, and it
has cooling effect on the blood.
Fed to dairy cows alfalfa maintains
the flow of milk equal to June grass for
nearly a. whole year. 1t can be
chopped as fine as wheat bran and
mixed with corn meal to form a bal
anced ration. Such a mixture is worth
more pound for pound than the origin
al corn meal.
Where alfalfa grows to perfection IS
a cows paradise. and such a land is
certain to flow with milk and honey if
man does his part towards such con-
summation, as it is the greatest honey
plant known. 1t is superior to white
clover, sweet clover, or buckwheat.
and under favorable conditions will
give honey from June to October.
One of the great attractions in the
horticultural exhibit at the I.0rIiSiaDa