The Ordway new era., 1909-12-17
ALFALFA FOR SEED
Its Production Under Irrigation
Should Prove Quite Profitable.
wo Chief Requisites Are Moderate
Amount Of Moisture and Thin
stand-Yields Vary from Three
to Nine Bushels.

The production OF alfalfa seed in
the semi-arid regions has largely been
incidental to hay production. Few
II any growers plant alfalfa especially
for seed production and fields usually
cut for hay are occasionally allowed
to produce seed. Hence no particular
attention has been given to the secur-
ing Of thin stand though some grow
seed where there is an imperfect stand
Of alfalfa.
Alfalfa seed is in great demand. as
the supply is not commensurate with
the demand and 1t brings good price.
Hence 1t is a line Of farming that
might be greatly expanded. The yields
range from three to nine bushels per
acre. A seed crop OF four bushels
per acre has about the same market
as crop of Ave tons Of alfalfa hay
per acre. not counting the one hay
crop cut when alfalfa seed is produced.
seed production should prove quite
profitable. 1t should be profitable
business. and more profitable than at
the present time If suitable manage
ment Of the fields be adopted and
there be special planting. II 1t is profit
able in occasional years on the ordi-
nary hay meadow 1t should be even
more SO on fields properly planted for
seed production and given suitable
care and cultivation.
The two chief requisites for success
full seed production are moderate
amount OF moisture and thin stand.
| The plants must not be crowded but
have sufficient room and plenty OF
light. Three to six pounds OF seed
per acre should give n thick enough
stand. Planting in rows with drill
is to be recommended. Let there be
one row between each irrigation fur
row. The distance between rows will
then depend upon the rate Of percola-
tion Of irrigation water. Stop up a
certain number Of holes in the drill
or in some other way fix 1t so that
1t will seed in rows the desired dis
tance apart. The drill should be set
to feed with reference TO the number
of drills actually seeding. II. for in
stance, II Is desired to SOW five pounds
per acre and one-fourth OF the drills
are In use then set at four times the
rate. or 90 pounds. II the drill does
not plant little enough mix fine saw.
dust with the seed or mix with 1t mil.
let seed that has been subjected to
high temperature In an oven for
three hours to destroy its vitality.
When using those drills that have an
alfalfa or clover seed attachment with
spouts leading into the grain tubes,
disconnect those spouts which are to
SOW seed and tie firmly around the
lower end OF each tube a small sack
to catch the seed. II the plants are
so thick in the rows as to be crowded
harrow crosswise OF the rows when
the alfalfa is . few inches high to
kill portion. During the first sea
son irrigate as required, using the fur
row method and clip once, setting the
sickle bar to cut the plants half way
down.
Usually one hay crop is cut be
sides the seed crop. Which crop should
be saved for seed will depend upon the
altitude and the particular climatic
condition OF each locality. The crop
that will mature during the hottest
part OF the summer season produces
the best seed. Where the season is
short. due either to the altitude or to
a northern latitude. the first crop will
generally be the seed crop and there
Is no second crop. At the lower alti
tudes where there are three cuttings
In hay meadows the first crop Is Gu,
Tor hay and the second allowed to
produce seed and there is no third
crop. The time for cutting the hay
crop can be varied as the conditions
require. In order that the seed crop
may come on somewhat earlier than
otherwise the first crop or hay CROP
must be cut earlier than usual in hay
meadows. The first crop generally
natures before insects are numerous
enough for the proper fertilization OF
the flowers and 1t generally does moi
mature as evenly as does the second
The third crop natures too late fol
best seed production.