The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-10
Alfalfa.

and Is succeeding in proving Its claims upon the farmers. Not only this. but farmers all over this great country of ours are waking up to the fact that the foundation of agricultural wealth must rest on the pastures of our conntry-that we must have some of the many species of cloyers or grasses as standard apcn which to build this great wealth.
 In some sections the Kentucky blue grass is the standard, in other sections the red clover Is the great leader; in other sec tions the English blue grass is first Then comes in orchard grass. Bermuda, John son and many others-by far too many to try to mention. unless we had a great amount of space. These elovers and grasses all have their places and thrive on soils that are particularly suited for their growth. But the alfalfa is fast be- coming a leader over very large sec ton of our country, specially in the south and southwest This Is to become the great pasture crop of these sections men toned. Farmers have made the growing of alfalfa careful study and experiments have been carried on in the growing of this plant until it has been fully demon- strated that 1t is one of the best plants for the cotton states. It Is fine for pas ture, for all stock and then the hay is of superior quality, good alike for all stock.
 Alfalfa the Topic.
 I have been attending many farmers meetings in Texas, where the subject of alfalfa was prominent and where ex- changes of experiences were freely in- dulged in. l find from having these ex- periences that those who have failed to make alfalfa growing q success, failed along the lines outlined in all my former articles on clovers and grasses. I have shown that when farmer attempts to grow these elovers and grasses on land that has been exhausted, robbed of all plant food nothing short of failure will be the result Not only this, but the soil must be properly prepared before seed ing or failure will be the result Texas farmers are learning now that to cuiti- vate the soil one two years in cow peas will put it in the very best condi- ton to be followed by alfalfa. There afe a great many sections of the south where alfalfa can and should be planted and made the foundation of wealth for these sections.
 What could produce a better effect-to leave out the money interests in the mat ter-than to see a whole section of coun-
 
 and to see stock of all kinds grazing on the crop. all fat and in fine condition? This is the kind of country scene that one can admire when travelling. 1 had heard so much of what Texas farmers were ac- complaining with this wonderful plant that l resolved to see more of it and to learn more of what is being accomplished. To this end I started out of sherman, Tex, early Sunday morning, February 27, and put in the whole day, travelling over four hundred miles through much of the richest black land country of the state On this trip I saw thousands of acres of green fields of alfalfa. and thou sands of fat cattle, sheep, hogs, horses and poultry.
 Needed in South.
 Now this is what can and should be seen in all sections of the south Grass and stock will bring any country up to prosperity, and further, it will make the farmers rich. Then comes with this the many comforts and luxiries of life. Pleasant beautiful, attractive homes. good citizens. intelligent people-a people who pay cash for what they need and have to have. It takes a higher standard of intelligence among farmers to carry on this line of crop dversification, and this is what makes country worth living in.
 How strange that these simple facts should need any argument to sustain them, and strange that farmers are so slow in seeing their own interests in these things. No wonder that the government and the state colleges. the railroads and the press are all aroused and are putting forth strong efforts to develop the coun- try along the lines of diversfeation.
 Now I know that in Alabama we have thousands of fine alfalfa lands. lands on which alfalfa can be grown far cheaper than 1t can be grown in Texas from the fact that we have more moisture In Ala bama, and this will make the crop more valuable. The pasture will be green much longer than the Texas lands. Then. too. Alabama has another great advantage over Texas, for in Alabama we can grow great variety of clovers and grasses and can have some of these growing green nearly all the year, while not only Texas, but a very large part of the great west. can only have clovers and grasses only small portion of the season. Only in the most favored season can they ever hope to grow these clovers and grasses in the west, for it is a well know fact that all this great west has to grapple with the problem of moisture or drouth.
 Time For Preparing Land.
 Now is the time for our farmers of Ala bama to begin to prepare their lands for alfalfa, and while there Is yet time to sow alfalfa. provided that the soil has been properly prepared. Yet I think it would be far better for our farmers to com mence now a thorough preparation of their lands, and put them in fine condi- tion so as to be ready to SOW alfalfa seHd next fall.
 Break the land deep, harrow fine, nut on an application of 300 to 700 pounds of kant, sowing this broadcast just a few days ahead of planting. Plant to cow peas and cultivate well. The COW pea will in conjunction with the kanit, clear the soil of all germ disease and furnish to the soil the nitrogen as fertilizer. and also the bacteria which Is also necessary in .;r- der to succeed in growing this plant.
 want to advise again that 1t Is useless 10 spend money or time in trying to grow clovers or grasses unless the farmer IS first willing to perform the labor neces- sary to make the matter a success. Half performed methods will not win Farm CTS must educate themselves. for the day is fast coming when antiquatsl methods of farming will not pay. l speak advised ly, for I know of what l speak. as l am placed where I have many opportunities to study and know what the conditions and needs of the farmer are over a very large scope of country, and in due re- spect to every one concerned. I want to say that when I come to compare the con dition of the average cotton farmer. his methods of living as compared with the farmer who Is In the stock business and in general farming, am almost persuaded that the cotton has been more of curse than a blessing. Nearly all the farmers who have been following out the diversi- 6cat t,on idaa for as much as three yeus q