The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-05-25

| optimistic ones. By the application of
the principles of breeding and selec-
ton to the alfalfa plant, we could
greatly increase both the yield and
feeding value of this great forage
crop.-Scientiic Farmer.
AS an illustration of the virility and
ilardihood of alfalfa, in the face of
conditions of aridity n altitude suf-
icient to discourage almost any for
age plant, we quote the following:
From "Field and Farm" (Denver)
Alfalfa in the Higher Attitudes.
J.. A. Haymaker.
Alfalfa has not yet taken the place
which rightly belongs to it in the
mountainous counties, but from our
experience with it, l am sure that ev-
en- as high up as Gulnison county al
falfa will soon rank as king of forage
plants. We nave experimental with
this plant since 1885 and we have OBJ
served the experience of others. In
our first experience we thought it
might be of sufficient drouth-resist
ing nature to produce a cutting with
out irrigation. We sowed the seed on
ground where it was impossible to ir-
rigate. We succeeded in getting a
oIallu, oII "SA SfC ~ ~ 81 -
good cutting although the plants liv-
ed through a lumber of years of ex-
IRENE droutn.
After this l had the opportunity to
observe the experiments of two of
my neighbors. Both gave the plant
the same treatment. They were stock
ing their ground to timothy and re-
served a few square rods in the field
for alfalfa, giving it the same treat
as timothy, which is to turn the
water on in the early spring and
keep it there until Just before cutting
Of course alfalfa does not thrive un-
der this treatment although, as a
matter of fact, many of the plants
lived through it for five or six years
From these experiments the public
was hat alfalfa is a failure
in Gun1ison county. In 1896 | was in
position to experiment on a larger
scale than before.
We sowed alfalfa with grain but
did not succeed in getting a good
stand. Next we SOwed on stuoble
and were entirely successful.
We sowed eight pounds to the acre
and from his in the succeeding two
years we cut about three ions an
acre from the two cuttings. From
his experience we concluded hat we
had not seeded heavily enough. The
next year we stocked Down about As
acres in all, sowing about fifteen
the acre nearly all on stub
BILE ground and we had an ideal stand.
The next year the two cuttings pro-
duced four tons the acre. Our method
Of sowing was by broadcastfng n
using a common harrow, going ove-
ground twice, h irrigating thor
oughly. We watched the field closely
nj uyhnn ciOnC Of drUnaCC Qnnn1rpd 1
we gave it the second irrigation. This
sowing was made in June after
tre 18th: that fall we cut a ton to
acre.
l think the best time for seeding
in the high attitudes is about May
10th, and if conditions are favorable
we may be able to get a fair cutting
last of September l am satisfied
alfalfa may be seeded as late as
August 1st with success. Later than
that | would not advise for fear the
young plants would not stand our rig
orous winters. Still there are some
drawbacks at the altitude OF 5000
In open winters with little or no
snow, which occurs sometimes, many
Of the plants are winter killed. When
such conditions occur it is best to re- |
about May 10th and at h sec
pnd cutting we get astonishing re-
suits from the restocking.
One ideal condition for preserving
alfalfa during the winter months is
the mulching of snow which seldom
in Gunnison county. One winter,
remember, we nae a February thaw
which cut the snow in a few patches
n orr meadow. In those patches the
alfalfa as killed. Such conditions are
al f0r We seldom have Feb
-uary thaws in this county. Our ex-
oeriments were made on high mesa
and with very thin soil is q rule and
-atner difficult to prepare on account
If boulders. Part of the soil is sandy
Dam and part adobe. Tie adobe is the
1eeper soil but both kinds produced
satisfactory results.