Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-06-14
Soil and Other Conditions Of the Mis-
souri, Slope Country Favorable to
the Production OF this Superior For

adapted for the production Of this
sterling crop as any to be found out
side the irrigated countries along the
base of the Rocky mountains. He
finds the soil to be all that could be
desired in fertility and warmth, and
that as is the case in most parts of
Kidder county, where there is an
abundance Of water near the surface,
all that is needed is to get the crop
thoroughly started, and the roots be-
ing of rapid and deep growing habits,
soon reach the subsurface moisture.
OF course it Is most essential that the
soil be first thoroughly prepared for
the successful termination of the seed
and the eradication of the weed pest,
as the young alfalfa plant ds very
tender and will not stand much crowd.
ing. A good way to accomplish this
Is to select land that has been
thoroughly subdued, and in the fall
after harvesting a corn crop that has
been kept thoroughly cultivated for
the destruction Of weeds, pillow deep
and in the spring seed the land early
enough to prevent the weeds from
getting a start.
The agricultural experiment sta
ton at Fargo has been experimenting
with the different varieties of alfalfa,
with view to determining what vari.
cites are best adapted to this climate
and the conditions prevailing in this
latitude, and seem to have had the
best results with the Turkestan varie.
ty, it being very hardy and of rapid
growing habits. We quote from re-
cent bulletin giving some of the re-
suits of the experiment, as well as sug-
gestions as to the proper treatment
of the soil as to cultivation and the
care of the young plant. $3.50
"The question of alfalfa living
through the winter seems to be the
only serious one to answer relative to
it's successful production in North Da-
kota, and the matter of leaving a
slight growth of stems in the fall is
simple plan which may prove a remedy
for winter killing. 49,. ~.
The plots were sown broadcast at
the rate of fifteen pounds per acre up
on land which had been given a pre-
paration similar to that which is us.
ually made for wheat. The seed was
covered by running over the land
with a peg-tooth harrow. It was
sown at the latter part of the wheat
sowing time, upon land which was
made free from weeds by a previous
thorough narrowing. It is best sown
without a nurse crop of any kind. as
the young alfalfa plants are rather
tender and do not stand crowding.
"The mower was run over the field,
with the cutting bar set high, fire.
quently enough to prevent the smoth-
ering effect of the weeds and to keep
the weed seeds from maturing and
finding lodgment in the soil"
On his farm near Fargo, Major
Darling has plat of Turkeystan alfal
ia that stands over three feet high at
this season, and from this plat he has
in past seasons harvested two crops
that have aggregated In yield five
tons to the acre. He and Col. J. D.
Benton have a large tract of land in
Kidder county on which they are ex-
perimenting in the rowth of alfalfa,
and contemplate this esason the pre-
paration Of several plats OF twenty
five acres each which will be sown
next spring. They now have one plat
of five acres south Of Dawson that
survived the last winter, and has made
very satisfactory growth, thus
demonstrating that it will stand the
rigors of the winters here, as well as
obtain a start under decidedly unfav-
orbaie climate conditions, for 1t will
be remembered that the forepart Of
last season was one Of unusual drouth.
The advantage OF alfalfa as farm
crop in this country are mainly three
fold A large amount OF excellent for
age can be secured from small
amount Of land; on account Of It's deep
roofing habit and its rank root growth
It easily takes front rank as q sodHng
crop, increasing the fertility of ! the
soil by supplying the deficiency in
vegetable mould: while as forage
crop for all kinds OF live stock it is
unsurpassed, particularly ii the promo
ton Of the growth OF young animals
and Tor the fattening Of sheep.
Blind Pjs0ers.
Fargo Forum: r. q. Peterson and
:Jacob Woodman were arrested at
chanee Saturday evening ana brought