American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1908-02-01

The farmers institute at Aberdeen,
held under the auspices of the American
Falls Canal Association, opened Monday
evening with large attendance. Great
interest in the meeting was manifest.
President C. w. Brown of the Canal
Association presided. In introducing A.
Mcpherson, whose subject was "Al-
falfa." Mr.. Brown said that the hold
ing of this institute was but fulfilling
one of the functions of the association
that of teaching and being taught.
There are so many things sppertaining
TO the opening up of new country, and
especially one where the conditions are
SO new and the settlers from such widely
scattered regions, that everyone under
the canal should unite in directing and
controlling its property. In meeting
the new problems introduced by the
construction and operation of q system
of irrigation-zll new to the most of
us-it is essential that we teach and be
taught. and this institute is but a nat
ural result of an association. One
essential is getting acquainted with each
other. with the association, and espec-
tally with its secretary. The associa-
ton is yours, was formed for your bene-
fit, and mine. and we want you to have
its benefits.
ALFALFA.
alfalfa has been one Of the most
important factors in spreading civili-
zation.'' said Mr.. Mcpherson. as sor,
of prelude to most interesting talk,
land west of the Rocky Mountains il
has been the most important factor"
One of the advantages of alfalfa is
that il is deep rooted. he said, penetrat
ing the soil to distance of twenty feet
or more. The roots the first year, un-
der favorable conditions. would pene
trate the soil for seven feet. All sage
brush soil lacks nitrogen. This is sup
piled by alfalfa TO greater degree
erssrMy other plant The'rocts, pene
trating to the depth they do. not onl,
enrich the soil, but supply ventilation
moisture and drainage. Sowing alfalfi
and plow.ng it under is equivalent Il
manuring the soil to depth of eight o.
/ ten feet.
Ground that has been in alfalfa viii
not require more than one-tenth a
much water as ordinary new land fo
the reason that the roots aid in carryin,
and storing the lower stratas of sol
with moisture, which constitutes res
ervoir for the growing plants. Moist
ure probably never has penetrated thi
valley to depth greater than two O
three feet
Straight alfalfa is not balance
ration, and should not be fed to an
mails for any length of time withou
other roughage. because of the exces
of protein it carries. Oat straw or or
chard grass makes \ good mixture.
Alfalfa and orchard grass may b
sown together. because they rpen 4
the same time. but alfalfa and re
clover donot The proportion of see
is six pounds Of each per acre. On
pound of seed contains 2lO. 900, and
sown too thick, some must choke ou
before the other could get good start
Alfalfa should not be sown with uurs
crop. May is best month to sow. If
must be irrigated up, use corrugate
system. Seed may be tested by placin
between damp fiannels or blotting paper
and kept in a temperature of from S
to 20 degrees for two or three days.
The sowing of orchard grass wit
alfalfa is not recommended where lat
frosts may check the alfalfa, for the
the orchard grass will mature first, an
become hard and woody. and will not b
eaten by stock.
New alfalfa should be irrigated spar
ingly. Make the roots seek moistur
at depth. There is always more of
plant under ground than above.
should be trimmed about July /, I
cause it to stool.
For seed, let it have the whole ses
son. A pale blossom indicates that see
will be poor in quality and small
quantity, and such fields should be GU
for hay. The less irrigation Of alfalf
and clover for seed. the better the n
suits will be.