The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1905-11-09

DOiIarS-Summafy OF interesting
Test in Feeding Alfalfa to Cows.
6. W. Koiner. Commissioner of Agriculture
of Virginia, in Progressive Farmer.
Alfalfa will grow in favorable soil
from sea level to 1000 feet
Good drainage is neces-
sary, as the plants are quickly killed
by excess of standing water in the
soil or on the surface. Water must
never be allowed to stand on a field
Of alfalfa more than fOrty-eight
hours at a time, for if the ground be-
comes saturated and is allowed to
remain so forany considerable length
of time the plants may be drowned
out. Neither will alfalfa succeed it
rock or other impervious subsoil lies
too near the surface. Although it
requires a good drainage, it also re-
qures fairly constant water supply
and is likely to suffer from drought
on deep sandy soil. Alfalfa hay that
has been properly cured is eaten by
all kinds of farm animals, and has a
higher feeding value than red clover.
1t is one of the best sOiling crops,
and may be fed in this way to better
advantage than if the stock are pas
tured on the field.
PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.
The ground selected should be as
free as possible from weeds as these
are the great enemy of young alfalfa,
especially when the seed is sown i'll
the spring. 1t is essential that the
seed bed should be put in the best
possible condition by deep plowing
and thorough narrowing, disking or
rolling, according to circumstances.
1t is best to prepare the soil long
enough before sowing to allow it to
settle. If the ground is not thor
Oughly moist it is best to wait until
a rain puts the soil in the proper
condition. After this stir the soil
with q harrow as soon as it can DE
easily worked and then SOW the seed.
SOWING THE SEED.
1t may be sown in fall or spring,
although i'll the South, fall sowing Is
more likely to be successful. Alfalfa
may be sown broadcast or drilled. Ii
sown broadcast, twenty pounds to
the acre should be used. If drilled
fifteen pounds will be sufficient. The
seed NAV be sOwn alone or with q
light seeding of grain. If sown witt
the grain, the latter should be cut
early for hay. The seed should bt
covered lightly by narrowing or roll
ING. For the Southern States it may
be best if the land is weedy, to fre'
the soil from weeds by cultivation
during the summer and SOW the seet
early in the fall.
TREATMENT FIRST SEASON.
If weeds are troublesome, the fiel'
should be mown with sufficient fire
quency to keep them from smother
ing the alfalfa If Il good stand i
/ obtained and the field is not weedy
one or more cuttings of hay may b
l obtained the first season. The hell
should not be pastured during tn
first year.
Although it is necessary to go t
some expense in order to put the so
in the proper condition for alfalfa
yet the meadow is SO valuable whe
established = I'd should yield profit
able results for so many years tina
extra time and expense are ampl
repaid. But if the conditions mel
toned cannot be had, it is better tina
the attempt to establish an alfali
meadow should not be made; for I'll
favorable conditions, such as poorl
drained soil, insufficient moisture &
time of sowing, weeds, prolonge
- overflow or excessive water IN tf
u soil may result in entire failure an
= consequent loss of time and none
and, moreover, discourage the eXpe
imenter and retard the developme1
of alfalfa growing.
GENERAL SUGGESTIONS.
~ It's value is SO great as feed ths
;e some farmers claim that IAN ac
se we'll set in alfalfa is worth one hu
ne ne dred dollars, and hundred acres
i'll worth ten thousand dollars. vi
III farmer in another State tried for MI
wears before he got stand Ofalfalf
9, Now he has one hundred acres al
makes annually five hundred tons
nd the finest hay, and from this start
ny growing alfalfa hay became an
eh tensive cattle feeder. He is nc
an AZ, wealthy and says alfalfa did it. The
in are thousands of farmers in virgin
ng who could do the same thing. The
VII are thousands of farmers who CT
elf grow alfalfa on some parts OF the
rk farms. Only few acres would pro
very helpful to any farmer: The hi
h is the finest for any kind OF stock.
is so rich in protein that one and
half pounds of any hay is equal
-, feeding value to one pound OF "ne
bran.
- The tobacco lots are good plat
| to grow it, and following cowpe
| plowed under, with the land "
rolled before sowing the alfalfa,
thin soil 100 pounds OF nitrate so
| per acre when the seed is soWn, a
another 100 pounds the follow
spring after the alfalfa has started
grow. On red clay hills at the t
| farm over four tons per acre ha
been grown. To get a good sta
81, of alfalfa is worth any farmers M
nersistent efforts. Alfalfa will ena
p farmer to cut down his feed bi
It is a great substitute for bran, O
and other mill feeds. 1t is the o
feed for the dairy, for all kinds
Young stock. Hogs winter we'll o
with but little grain. There is no
ing better for sheep. The follow
is 4 summary of a most interest
test bv the State Experiment :
ton in feeding alfalfa to COWS:
, ACTUAL TESTS OF FEEDING VALUl
- 1. The cost OF producing milk