Ripley County democrat. (Doniphan, Mo.) 1905-1920, 1908-09-25
The Sowing OF Alfalfa

grow. It is one of those crops
which is sure to be used more ex-
tsnsively as our lands become
higher in price. The idea that il
can not be grown successfully in
Missouri is largely q matter of
not understanding the require
ments of the plant. There is lit.
tie doubt that the not distant fu.
ture will see alfalfa grown to a
greater or less extent in each
section Of the state. In the rich
er sections it win be grown on
the uplands, and in the thinner
sections it will be grown in the
fertile valleys and bottoms.
Experiments which the agri-
culture experiment station has
been conducting with farmers
throughout the state have shown
many interesting results and in
many cases they have practically
solved the problem of getting a
stand. Briefly summarized the
results are as follows:
First, that on uplands Of aver
age fertility liberal manlring
should give good results. 1t is
useless to SOW alfalfa on poor
lands and expect q satisfactory
yield, but where the soil receives
a liberal application Of manure
there is usually no difficulty in
growing it proftably il the land
is reasonably we'll drained.
Since, as a rule, the average far
mer wants only q few acres OF
alfalfa this manuring is perfectly
feasible in most cases.
Third, that inoculation OF the
soil on uplands is usually Of
much benefit and is generally
necessary to success.
Fourth, that the best time t.
sow alfalfa on most upland soil Il
in August, although on the rich
er uplands and the bottom lands
J spring sowing may be just al
successful,
Fifth, that on a few soils in the
state which have a tendency tc
sourness, lining will be a bene-
fit and may be a necessity.
Sixth, that top dressing with
manure in the fall and the culti-
, walton of the land with disc OF
, spring tooth harrow after eaet
cutting if possible, usually &C.
companies beneficial returns.
Briefly the best method Of
handling alfalfa is to break the
land early in the summer, plow'
! ing under a liberal dressing ol
, manure. The land should b.
we'll worked down and oultivat
ed whenever the weeds begin tc
start until the middle of Angus
: (for central Missouri) when th'
seed should be sown. In nortl
! Missouri somewhat earlier seed
, ing will usually be better, ii
: south Missouri the seed may b,
sown somewhat later. Expert
ments indicate, however, tina
: early August seeding even fo
south Missouri is frequently bet
4. ter than later seeding.
Just before sowing there shoul'
, be scattered over the land broad
cast, or drilled in with graiI
, drill, two or three hundred pounC
, of inoculated soil. This soil ma.
be taken from an old alfalfa fielt
or since sweet clover, or what il
, commonly known as "bee clover
has the same baoteria.on it's root
as alfalfa, soil taken from arounc
these plants will answer, II thi'
is broadcasted it should be har'
!, rowed just as fast rs 1t is scatter
! ed, since the light kills the bao'
: lteria,
The seed should be OF strong
vitality and free from obnoxious
. weeds. It should be sown at th'
rate OF from fifteen to twent,
pounds per acre, depending upol
its quality and the character. o
the seed bed. It should either b,
put in with the seed attachmen