The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1908-08-06

Alfalfa is Il crop which the Missouri
| farmer is learning 10 grow. 1t is one
OF those crops which is sure to be used
more extensively as our lands become
higher in price. The idea that it can
not be grown successfully in Missouri
is largely matter Of not understand
ing the requirements OF the plant.
There is little doubt that the not dis
taut future will see alfalfa grown to a
greater or less extent in each section
of the state. In the richer sections it
will be grown on the uplauds, and in
the thinner sections it will be grown in
the fertile valleys and bottoms.
Experiments which the agricultural
experiment station has been conducting
with farmers throughout the state
have shown many interesting results
and IN many cases they have practical
ly solved the problem of getting
stand. Briefly summarized the results
are as follows;
First, that on uplands OF average fer
tility liberal manuring should give
good results. 1t is useless to SOW alfal.
ia on poor lands and expect u satisfac-
tory yield, but where tho soil receives
liberal application Of manure there
is usually no diiliculty in growing it
proltably If the land is reasonably
well drained. Since, as rule, the
average farmer wants only few acres
Of alfalfa this manuring is perfectly
feasible in most cases.
Second, that incubation of the soil
on uplauds is usually Of much benefit
and is generally necessary to success.
Third. that the best time to sow al
falfa on most upland soils is in August,
although on the richer uplands and on
the bottom lands spring sowing may be
Just as successful.
Fourth, that on u few soils in the
state which have a tendency to sour.
ness, lining will be a benefit and may
be necessity.
Fifth, that top dressing with manure
in the fall and the cultivation OF the
cultivation Of the land with disc or
spring tooth narrow after each cutting
If possible, usually accompanies beneG-
cial returns.
Briefly, the best method OF handling
alfalfa is to break the land early in the
summer, plowing under liberal dress
ing OF manure. The land should be
we'll worked down and cultivated
whenever the weeds begin 10 start un-
til the middle of August, for central
Missouri, when the seed should be
be sown. In north Missouri somewhat
earlier seeding will usually be better,
and in south Missouri the seed may be
sown somewhat later. Experiments
indicate, however, that early August
seeding, even for south Missouri is fre.
quently better than later seeding.
Just before sowing there should be
scattered over the ground broadcast,
or drilled in 9Th grain drill, two or
three hundred pounds OF inoculated
soil, This soil may be taken from an
old alfalfa field or since sweet clover,
or what is commonly known as "bee
cloYer," has the same bacteria on It's
roots as alfalfa, soil taken from around
these plants will answer. II this is
broadcasted it should be narrowed just
as it is scattered, since the light kills
the bacteria.
The seed should be Of strong vitality
and free from obnoxious weeds. II
should be sOwn at the rate Of from If'
teen TO twenty pounds to the acre, de-
pending upon its quality aud the char
actcr Of the seed bed. 1t should either
be put in with the seed attachment oI
the grain drill allowing the hoes tC