The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-07-12
GROWING ALFALFA HAY.
Mr.. w. D Garrison Writes on This
Important Question.

A great deal has been published on
the sbject of alfalfa, the object being
to induce the farmers Of South Caro-
lima to grow it on their farms for its
value as a forage crop has been clear
y demonstrated.
The following written by Mr.. ". D.
Garrison, who is in charge Of the
Coast Land Experiment Station, at
Hampton Park, will prove of interest:
Growing alfalfa in South Carolina
will certainly prove a success, if the
plant is handled in the proper man
ner. This valuable crop is adapted to
a. wide variety of soils. With the
proper cultivation it can be grown
throughout the state. There are thous-
ands of acres of fertile lands in the
lower and middle portions Of the state
that will produce alfalfa hay equally
as good as any western hay. Why
then pay twenty dollars per ton for
hay when ton of hay can be grown
here superior in quality for from five
to ten dollars per ton? Alfalfa will
grow successfully in any locality OF
South Carolina, but will thrive better
in the middle and lower portion. The
rich alluvial soils are especially suited
for it.
I know Of small area Of alfalfa
growing at Walhalla and another IN
Spartanburg county. The red clay
soil can be made to produce this val
liable hay by deep ploughing and
making the soil very rich in humus
matter. A visit to the Coast Land
Experimental Station, and the Legare
farm, near Charleston, will convince
any farmer that alfalfa can be grown
with handsome profit on the coast. AT
the Experimental Station you will see
a small area Of land that was planted
in 1900. Last year this patch of al
falfa produced seven tons Of dry hay
per acre. This calculated at fifteen
dollars per ton, would be one hundred
and five dollars. The first week in
January Of this year, a top dressing
of complete fertilizer at the rate OF
six hundred pounds per acre, was ap-
plied to this plot Of alfalfa. This was
was moved the first time on April ~,
second moving, May II, and third
moving June Is. The three cuttings
Welded a fraction over four tons per
acre.
Selecting and preparing the land
before planting are the two most I'M
uortant factors to consider in growing
Alfalfa successfully In the South. Sc
lect field free from weeds, one that
has been in cultivation two or three
years. Those who intend to plant al
falfa this fall should commence now
to prepare the land. Put in COW peas
either broadcast or in drills. Remove
the vines for hay and plough the
ground until thoroughly pulverized,
subsoil if possible and plant alfalfa
seed in drills II to 18 inches apart,
using twenty to twenty-five pounos
of seed per acre, the second week IN
October.
A growth of cow peas grown on the
land previous to planting alfalfa Will
aid in the growth OF alfalfa. The COW
pea thoroughly shades the land, max
ing it absolutely impossible for weeds
to grow. Being a. soil improver, the
COW pea has the power Of restoring
nitrogen to the soil in an available
form for proceeding crops The
amount of fertilizer to be used Will
depend on the character Of the soil,
and the amount of organic matter
present. A top dressing of fertilizer
should be applied after the first year.
Alfalfa seed are very small and re-
ouire special care in planting. Plant
just after a rain. Cover the seed
very shallow and roll the land in Or
der to bring the moisture near the
surface. On account of the presence
Of weeds I recommend the planting
Of alfalfa in drills.
The first year will require very care
full work to get the plant started. A
great many people have an idea that
after the seed are planted nature will
take care Of the plant. This is far
from being true of alfalfa. Unless you
expect to cultivate thoroughly to grow
alfalfa, especially where the land is
infested with weeds and crab grass.
The making of alfalfa hay requires
considerable skill on account of the
nature c. the plant and if the hay is
put into stacks or into barns before