Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-06-14
THE VALUE OF ALFALFA.

4 Though formerly it was supposed that
alfalfa could not be proitably grown in
the arid regions and by irrigation, we are
gradually finding ont that former lack OF
success was due more to improper treat
ment and unsuitable soils than to any
climatic reason for a failure, While the
area in alfalfa is largest 10 the West, Colo
RADIO having 100000 acres, the yield OF hay
per acre there is not so large as has been
made in the East and South, being but 2 2
tons per acre, while in the experiments at
the New Jersey station hye-year average
Of 1882 tons of green forage per acre was
/ made, and on one season 266 tons per acre
/ were secured. The great value OF alfalfa
consists in its high percentage OF protein,
which makes it valuable for balancing the
abundant carbonaceous feed furnished by
Indian corn and other forage crops. Its
Importance as forage crop is also enhanced
by the fact that it is nitrogen gatherer, CON-
bining the free nitrogen scontent of the soil
and also the protein in the crop. 1t has be-
come we'll known that successful feeding of
domestic animals requires that they shall
have ration properly balanced with pro-
TEN and carbohydrates. our American
standard calling for 2.5 pounds of protein
TO Is pounds of carbonates and 0.5 pound
of fat. In order to get at the proper COM
putation of rations the bulletin gives a
table of digestible nutrients.
1t is suggested that ton Of alfalfa and a
ton of cornfodder will furnish a balanced
ration for 101 days. A ton of alfalfa and
three tons of silage will supply feed for
lilo days. ton of alfalfa hay and 5000
pounds of roots and 900 pounds Of oat
lstraw will furnish feed for 106 days. Com
parison is made between the yield of alfalfa
and other legumes and grasses, showing the
4 greatly larger amount of hay made by
i alfalfa. When we'll established, alfalfa is
good for from four to ten years, depending
on the character of the soil, the manuring
and geneal treatment.
The most FAVORABLE soil is deep loan,
preferable of a sandy nature and with a
subsoil Of not too compact a character.
/ Good drainage is essential and water on
the surface will soon destroy it. Deep
blowing and subsoiling are needed IN tie
preparation of the land. Previous treat
ment to destroy weeds is Important, for
the early growth is very feeble and early
checked by weeds. In most places late
summer or fall sowing has been found
best.
The soil should be supplied with an
abundance Of lime, phosphoric acid and
potosh, but supply Of nitrogen for the
young plant in the start is essential. This
can be supplied by clover sod turned
under. For the first year the following
application Is advised before sowing
! Twenty-Five bushels of stone lime; 200
pounds Of acid phosphate; $50 pounds of
muriate Of potash; rs pounds of nitrate
soda per acre. The first year after seeding,
in early fall or winter, apply eight to ten
tons Of manure after cutting has ceased.
The next spring apply after the first cut
ting, 200 pounds of acid phosphate aud
100 pounds Of muriate Of potash per acre.
incubation may be accomplished by scat
tering 100 to 500 pounds of soil from an in
oculated field, or by making soil solution
Of this soil in water, and sprinkling this
8 water over the field. Pure seed is essen
tial. Dodder is a common impurity. Il IS
a parasitic plant that grows on the alfalfa
and rapidly destroys it and should be de-
stroyed as soon as any may be seen. Sow
80 to 35 pounds of seed per acre, and If
sown in August do not NOW that fall, but
leaye all for winter protection. Now the
next year as som as it begins to bloom, no
matter what the height, and do not let it
get in full bloom at any time, as it weak
ems the plant and makes the stems woody
/, and the hay less valuable. Alfalfa does not
stand pasturing we'll, especially by sheep,
as they bite the buds too closely. When
used for soiling the forage should be let
wilt before feeding.
Dedication Day.