The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1905-08-24
Alfalfa.

Alfalfa is probably one OF the most
valuable plants for feeding live stock
that is grown in this country. There
are so many kinds OF grain, grasses
and legumes adapted to the soil and
climate OF Missouri that have sup
piled our wants for feeding our live
stock and hence but little attention
hSoonn given to growing alfalfa in
Is State. However, 10 has been
grown in small way in nearly every
section OF the State, and the area is
being largely increased every year II
has been demonstrated by theexperi-
msnt stations that . ton OF nrst-
class alfalfa hay is almost equal in
value to q ton OF bran for the pur.
pose Of feeding growing pigs, calves,
colts OF lambs, or for feeding milch
cows or breeding sows and ewes. The
dairymsn Of the eastern states have
learned the great value Of alfalfa and
are feeding ground alfalfa hay, called
alfalfa meal, In preference to wheat
bran.
Alislis may be produced In Mis-.
souri, At q cost OF IS to Sc per ton.
Bran usually costs fromS12 TO SIS
per ton. Thus il will be seen that
there is an enormous profit in grow.
Ing alfalfa to take the place OF bran
In addition TO this profit the land
upon which the alfalfa grew 10 richer
In nitrogen and will produce a much
heavier crop Of corn or wheat than
other land not growing alfalfa. The
Wyoming experiment station has
found that land previously In alfalfa
produced from % to $l2 more value
In wheat per acre and SIC worth OF
potatoes more than land previously
cultivated in potatoes or grain. The
alfalfa was not turned under but
was taken Oh for hay for period Of
Eve years.
Kind OF soil necessary.-While all
alia thrivss best on an alkaline soil
full Of humus With q porous sub.soil
II will produce fairly we'll on most Of
the we'll drained soils OF this state
II will not be profitable TO SOW IL on
a soil with hard pan or impsrvious
clay subsoil. II will not do we'll on
land that 10 acid, that is land che
farmers call sour land, but the acid
soil II we'll drained may be prepared
Tor alfalfa by sowing from 1000 TO
2000 pounds Of pulverizsd lime stone
per acre or about one hall the
amount OF cir Stacked lime. 1t is
preferable, however, to use the
ground limestone which may b
bought ct the mills for about 81 per
ton I. o. b.
Testing the soil for aoidity The
farmer can determine whether'his soil
IA acid by the litmus paper test. Buy
Ave cents worth OF blue litmus paper
from the drug store. Take q email
amount OF soil from the field, put 1t
In a saucer, moisten with rain water
to the consistency OF thick paste,
then with clean dry hands take two
or three strips Of the litmus paper,
after making an opening In the vet
soil with a knife insert one end OF the
lismus paper in the opening and close
up the soil. After the paper remains
in the soil for q few hours remove 1t
carefully, wash OF the soil adhering
and il the blue paper has turned de-
cideily red It indicates an acid con-
dition Of the soil and indicates the
need Of lime. II the paper has not
turned red your soil probably does
not need lime.
Preparing the soil for sowing
While good stands Of alfalfa have
been secured at different seasons
from the first Of April until the hrst
Of October, probably the safest time
to SOW is from August Is to Sep
tember 40. The land should be
thoroughly plowed as II for wheat
and it would be better to have the
land plowsd In July. As soon rs 1t
has been plowsd II should be
thoroughly pulvsrizsd and compact.
ed as deep - It has been plowed. II
is not sufficient to work with q light
harrow and produes q smooth sur
face ON top. Besure to pulvsrise the
soil with q cultivator or disc harrow
and then work the soil with harrow,
drag or roller until q perfect seed
bed is secured.
The next letter will treat OF the
A. ..t. 49, - A. .4Sl .4-toc Az