The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1908-01-23


Alfalfa, like all the clovers. ia dim
this where it rains during the summer
months and the only remedy know of
is canvass shock covers about five feet
square with brick tied to each
corner to hold them down. used 100
such covers last summer and was we'll
satisfied with the result. Alfalfa is
we'll adapted for soiling or for the silo,
but for the pasture have my doubts
about it being q success as know of
no other grass that is injured so much
by tramping as alfalfa. AS q hog
pasture, while it lasts it has no equal.
Hogs pastured on alfalfa and given a
small amount of corn each dav will
make larger gain according to the
expense than any other way they can
be fed. As pasture for cattle, It Is
a dangerous grass, but when the cattle
became used to it they will thrive and
fatten and the beef made from it is
the sweetest and juciest know of. To
horses it should be fed with great
care, but they will fatten and thrive
on it If fed in moderation. I have
seen alfalfa growing from the Atlantic
to the Pacific, from the Red River
Valley of the North where but two
crops can be cut for hay, to the Inn
perial valley of Southern California
where from seven to eight crops Of
hay can be cut each year and have
made uo my mind it is the greatest
foreign plant known to man.
Discussion.
Question.-If it is sown for hog pas
lures will it have to be renewed every
year?
Mr.. HoAs.-It does not.
Question.-Does it need incubation?
Mr.. Holes.-It does not.
President Worst.-Good Manure is
the only incubation needed.
'Question.-Can you get it started on
sandy soil?
President Worst-If the water table
comes up within few feet Of the
surface.
Question-If sown very thick would
it crowd out French weed?
Mr.. Holes.-I think it would.
Question.-What does alfalfa give
back to the soil?
Question.-Are the European any
Mr.. Holes.-I am not able to say.
1t is not only used as forage but also
as an adulteration for smoking to-
bacco.
Question.-For fertilizing purposes
would you pillow it under and If so
at what time?
Mr.. Holes.-It is a splendid fertilizer
when plowed under. Plow under at
about the time to make hay
Remark.-In the northern part Of
the state sowed the seed at two
different times. Once in the latter
part Of May and again in July. The
latter planting did greatly the best
and I mention this as some farmers
may think that time is too late.
Question.-How many pounds of
alfalfa would YOU sow to the acre?
Mr.. Holes.-About twenty pounds.
President Worst then announced
that it was the intention to turn the
meeting over to the American Society
OF Equity. but a telegram was re-
celved this afternoon that C. A.
W1ndle would be unable to speak
however. there were other speakers
present who told of some of the prin-
ciples of this society.
In introducing the first speaker
President Worst spoke much good Of
the society and then turned the chair
over to Mr.. Newton. who in few
brief words introduced w. B. Sher-
man who spoke on the subject of his
organization.
The speaker said: "The society in
North Dakota is the best organiza tion
west of the state Of Kentucky.
Some people ask, What is the mr.
pose of this society? It is a great
national and International organiza-
.lon OF farmers whose sole purpose is
to tend to our own business half of
the time and to leave other, peoples
business alone the other half 1t is
10 maintain profitable prices on all
crops.
1T was five years old last Novem-
per. We have sixteen organizations in
the main organization each part com
posed of people interested in a certain
crop.
1T is organized purely for business
purposes. 1t neither contains politics
nor religion. but simply business"
Ihe speaker said that the world is
always within twenty-four days of the
end OF their food supply and if the
farmers should hold their crops thirty
days they could ask what they wanted
Tor the product and get it or the world
would starve.
MY. Sherman's address was very
convincing one and called forth much
favorable comment from the farmers.
Mr.. Newton who was presiding then
spoke a few moments on the society
and of the value Of this society to the
Farmers of the entire country. He
then INTRODUCED the next speaker
State Organizer Pearson, who spoke
mostly of the condition Of the society
throughout the state. He said that
there were now 10000 members of the
society in the state of North Dakota.
He spoke of some Of the needs Of the
organization in the state and how the
farmers can assist in the work. The
speaker also told Of the work which
has been done in this state. The
national association has a membership
Of 10000 persons. In closing the
speaker recited poem which accu-
rately described the position of the