Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-11-02
Cultivation Of Alfalfa.

alfalfa may be seeded either fall OF
spring. Fall seeding may be done any
time after the 18Th of September unit
from March 18Th to May let, depend
ing largely on weather conditions ard
tha elevation above sea level. Alfalfa
grows we'll on quite u variety of soils,
but prefers porous one through which
les roots can easily penetrate. 1t is
we'll adapted to river and creek bot
over ti,w, and though more difficult to
establish, it does we'll on stiff red clay
lands that bave been made sufficiently
rich and frlable through deep blowing
aud subsoiling, the turning under of
an occasional green crop or liberal top
dressings of faImyard manure.
Land intended for alfalfa may be.
summer faIlowed or cropped with cow
peas to rid the land of weeds, for the
Young alfalfa plant is not vigorous and
weeds frequently destroy it. Grab
grass often chOkes out alfalfa. hence
the advantage Of seeding in the fall in
many sections of the South. A fria
BILE seed bed should be prepared by fire.
q uent and thorough cultivation. This
point cannot be emphasized too strong
ly. Top dress the soil with $50 to 1000 |
pounds OF lime per acre, and ten days |
later apply 200 to 300 pounds of high
grade acid phosphate and so to 100
pounds of muriate Of potash per acre.
Broadcast aid work into the surface
soil with harrow.
The soil may be inoculated by arti-
fetal cultures or by an application OF
200 to 400 pounds of soil per acre from
an old alfalfa field or field in which
sweet clover has grown for several
years. From 16 to 20 pounds of well
selected seed should be used. Great
care should be taken to see that it Is
free from weeds, dodder and trash.-
Dodder may be taken out of alfalfa by
running it through sieve 20 meshes
to the inch. The seed may be mixed
with earth so as TO insure it's being
scattered uniformly over the ground.
1t may be applied broadcast or with a
grain drill or barrow seeder. Early
seeding in the fall is advisable, and af
ter the alfalfa is well up, a top dress.
ing of so to rs pounds of nitrate of soda
will often prove profitable. A similar
dressing after growth has started in
The spring is often advisable on lands
that are not we'll supplied with humus.
Fall sown alfalfa may be cut for hay
the next spring but should not be past.
ured before the second season. Cut |
when just coming into bloom. IfsOwn
IN the spring frequent clippings the i
irst season are advisable. There is no |
crop that can be grown On the farm :
more valuable for hay, sOiling or past
are AS alfalfa has been cultivated 9
successfully on small areas on many of
our farms, thele is no reason why its r
culture should not be extended. 1t ;
is profitable crop. 1t is not s
easy to establish, but the mere fact
that it produces such rich. nutritious
hay that can be substituted within GER
tain limits for high-priced concentrates ]
in the feeding of Illuminating animals, r
horses and poultry, makes it valuable /
On the southern farm. By all means +
try small patch of alfalfa. Do not
attempt too large an area until you 8
nave the needs of the plant and know 7
how to treat and manage your soil SO !
IS to insure it's successful cultivation. q
The station will gladly send bulletins t
and other Information concerning this t
crop to all farmers residing in the t
ate. r
ANDREW M. SOULE,
Dean and Director.