The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1905-10-12

III tiit SubleIt VI dlittiiu Suitutt VIII
be pleased to learn that the Georgia
Experiment Station has just issued
press bulletin on the subject, which
contains all the information neces-
sarry for enabling them to make u
success in growing this ''oldplant un-
der a new name Write to Georgia
Experiment Station. Experiment,
Ga, for free copy of Press Bulletin
No. 81, on Alfalfa Culture" "
The following extracts contain the
cream of this little bulletin:
SOIL PREPARATION AND SEEDING.
CAS- stated in the extracts quoted
lucerne may succeed in every section
of the South, provided only that the
soil be quite fertile, well drained and
well prepared. 4 soil that is abund-
antly supplied with lime is better for
lucerne than one III which lime is
more or less wanting. This defect,
however, may be remedied 10y apply
ing from ten to twenty bushels of
airslaked lime per acre, either as
part of the preparation, before plant
ing or any time thereafter
'The requirements of soil and
preparation and the details of cul-
ture may be stated in order as fol-
lows:
l. The soil must be naturally fer
tile, or must be literally fertilized,
applying say from 600 to 1000
pounds OF high grade acid phosphate
and from $50 to go pounds OF mu
riate of potash Tor four times that
amount of kainit) per acre.
=. The soil must be well under
drained, either naturally or artificial
ly. Lucerne will not flourish where
there is stagnant water within three
or four feet of the surface.
3. 1t is highly probable that Il
preparatory application of four or
five tons of well rotted stable or
barnyard manure per acre will rem
der artificial inoculation unneces-
sary. The nitrogen OF the manure
will sustain the growth of the lu-
cerne until the bacterial germs, al
ready present in most Southern tolls, /
or contained in the manure, shall |
have had time to multiply.
+. On soil that is stocked with
seeds of weeds, it is desirable to SOW
the seeds in the fall of the year, say
as early as the middle OF September
ard as late us the last of October,
provided the soil shall have been pre-
viOusly well prepared by deep plow
Ing and thorough narrowing, and
provided also that there shall be
sufficient moisture in the surface soil
to induce prompt generation OF the
seeds and sustain the growth of the
young plants until strong enough to
the first severe cold of the
Early winter. The young plants and
roots are only half hardy and are
aasily killed by ali ordinary freeze.
The roots become hardy and capable
Of resisting the severest cold. The
annual growth of stems and foliage
IS always tender and unable to with
stand Il hard frost.
"lf conditions are not favorable
or fall sowing, the next best time is
,arly i'll the spring, after the danger
)f severe frost has passed.
>. After preparing the land by
ertilizing and by repeated plOwings
md harrOwings, the seeds may be
,own in the drills thirty inches apart
md be covered not exceeding half
nch. Prepare and SOW just as you
would to secure IL fine crop of ruta-
Daga turnips, is good rule plant
ng. Fifteen pounds of good seed
ire sufficient to SOW on an acre Of
vell-prepared soil if sown with skill
lhd care. But if the surface be ut all
'ough, or other conditions be unfav-
)rable, it will be well to SOW as much
Is twenty pounds per acre.
q. The plants, however thickly
hey may stand, will not require thin
ling; and cultivation should be sui
icient to keep down the growth of
weeds until the lucerne plants shall
rave gotten gOJd start. The best
DOL for the purpose is IL cultivator
With narrow teeth; or it may be ef
ected with scooter and scrape. Al
-er the first year it is 81 goodpractice
% run n disc harrow over the sur
ace twice, in directions Oblique to
he rows. to be followed by smooth
r. and then II heavy roller. the OBJ
ect being to destroy all winter ger
weeds, loosen the top soil
md reduce If to level. smooth sur
ace This disking should be done
n February. or just before the new
growth starts.
I. An annual application should
,e made OF not less than 600 pounds
II high grade acid phosphate and !
80 pounds OF muriate OF potash tor
800 pounds OF kainitD per acre. This
nay be done in February. at the tire
II the annual disking
Alfalfa seed are sold by all leading
eedsmen at about 81 per bu-hel. or
- cents per pound.
X. j. REDDING.
Faith Not Necessary.