Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1910-04-01

in this state. On wet lands where the
ground water is near the surface the
plants never do we'll and soon die.
Neither does alfalfa do well upon soil
that Is underaid with stiff imperviou,
layer OF soil
Rich soil is another requisite for the
successful growth of this lcgume. This
is especially true in getting il stand. 1t
may be started upon IL poor soil but il
require 4 great length rf time and sell
dom i, the crop profitable. N"Nious
weeds will come in 50 thick as to kill
out the Young alfalfa plants before they
are large enough to fight for themselves.
Alfalfa is heavy feeder u,nn nitro
gen and phosphorus the former Of
which is often deficit in Montana soils.
However. this can he remedied by ap
plying the manure and by rotating the
crops. /, is also a heavy feeder on po.
tassium. hut there is an abundance OF
this element and Of phosphorus in most
Of the soils in this state. The manure
and rotation will furnish the young
plants the nitrogen. As soon a. the
liant has secured X good start It can oh.
tain the nitrogen from the air and trans
form it into an available form by the
aid Of bacteria in the nodulcs upon the
roots OF tn" plants.
The third factor controlling alfalfa
production is incubation. By this is
meant tine pI.tiny into the soil Of nitro
gen gat thrring bacteria that live upon the
roots and furnish part nf the plant food.
Upon some soils these bacteria are not
found. and thu, il is necessary 80 sup
nlv them before the plant, will thrive
well. Perhaps the most practical way
for a farmer to inoculatc his soils is to
scatter soil from IN old alfalfa field over
his ground before seeding. This may br
applied at a rate Of 300 nr 500 pounds
per acre and immediately narrowed in
The bacteria in the soil multiply very
rapidly Artificial cultures ayr now upon
thr market, but it is not always advi>-
able to use them. as better results ';'n
can br secured in other ways. This
method is in the experimental stage and
their us" is only recommended expert
mentally.
Probably the hes. soil in the state for
alfalfa is the land which has II to l5
inches Of rich. black. sandy loan. under
lain with ii layer Of sand. The soil
should. above all else. be open and po-
rus. pom many soll> good stand Is
secured with no soil trratmrn other
than good cultivation.
Upon dry land alfalfa is usually seed
ID alon'. that is. without nurse crop
Eight t" 10 pound, of seed are used per
,crr. Some farmers advise the use "i
, larger amount of seed. but more is not
necessary. The seed is covered to Il
depth oi about half an inch. 1t is usual
'y seeded with drill in the spring. Dur
ing the first summer j; is advisable Z
keep it muwrd in order that the weed,
will not smother the young plants. Th.
next season about two or three crops o
hay can lie removed. Nest farmers vii
! advis" lravin" thr field down 10 al!alf;
about four years. During this time If il
become. snd bound di>ciny will br o.
great value. The nca,i> OF the plant vii
be cut or livid and each division vii
send out new plants.
The longer alfalfa j. raised on an,
farm the more readily it grows and tn
easier it becomes fer the farmer 10 So
cure II stand. lhi, is due largely to tn
fact that he learns how to seed AM
handle the crop and hrcaus" the LAM
becomes more thoroughly inornlatrl an
better adapted for CROWN. alfalfa