The Lamar register., 1910-02-02
WATER FOR ALFALFA
Crop ThrMes Best in Soil of
Arid and Semi-Arid Regions.
Government Has Published In euIie-
tin Form Results Of Extensive
Investigations made In
Number Of States.

Experience in the growing of al
falfa for more than 1000 years shows
that 1t thrives best in the soil and eli
mate of arid and semi-arid regions.
The abundant sunshine, the warmth,
and the deep, rich soil prevailing
throughout the western half of the
United States seem to be well suited
to its requirements. and over half a
century's experience has shown that
there Is comparatively little cultivable
land In the west on which 1t cannot be
grown. One finds the same varieties
fourishing in Imperial valley, Califor-
MIA. 100 feet below sea level, and main
tanning sturdy growth on the San
Luis plains of Colorado, 1900 feet
higher. Alfalfa makes a remarkable
growth In the warm sunshine of Ari-
iona. yet 1t is rarely injured by cold
in Montana.
One cannot well overestimate the
Importance of alfalfa to western farm
ers. The alfalfa field and the alfalfa
stack provide the best means of pro-
tecting stock against enormous losses
by starvation when the excellent pas
turage available throughout the great
er part Of the year fails either through
drought In midsummer or by being
covered with deep snow in midwinter.
A single ton Of alfalfa may save the
lives of many head of stock by provid-
ing feed during short periods of cold.
stormy weather. Alfalfa cannot be ex-
celled as a preparatory crop on soils
that have long been unproductive.
Likewise. It maintains the fertility of
soils naturally rich in plant food, and
II used as a base of rotation makes
possible abundant crop yields of vari-
GUS kinds. In 1906 the chemist Of the
Colorado experiment station estimat-
ed the fertilizing value OF the stubble
and roots Of mature plants at $35 per
acre when measured by the CONNER
cial value of artificial fertilizers on
the market. Moreover, the yields are
exceptionally high when irrigation.
favorable climatic conditions and prop
er treatment are combined. Seven
tons Of cured hay at three cuttings
are obtained from the best fields of
Montana. while frequently nine tons
in i've cuttings are harvested in Cali
fornia. This large tonnage. together
with its high feeding value and the
fact that 1t is consumed by practic-
ally all farm animals. makes It not
only convenient and useful crop to
the grower. but highly profitable one
as well.
Notwithstanding its present impor-
lance and great value in irrigation
farming. the profits on the area now
In alfalfa can be greatly increased II
more care and skill are exercised In
growing 1t. The western irrigator has
seldom been able. financially. to dig
his ditches and prepare his fields in
such way as to insure the most ef-
ficient irrigation and the highest prof
its. In consequence valuable water is
wastefully applied to land that is in
no fit condition to be irrigated. On
the large acreage In irrigated alfalfa
this amounts to an enormous CROP
the rapidly increasing area devoted to
Its growth and the large number of
farmers who are settling in the west
and who will be for years dependent
in a large measure on alfalfa for n
livelihood. would seem to warrant the
collection and publication of any IN
formation designed to improve the
present practice.
1t has warranted the collection and
publication by the government of a
great deal Of very valuable informa-
tion secured to improve the present
practice of irrigation.
This has been done in Farmers
Bulletin No. 1913 and any one who is
interested in the irrigation of alfalfa
may procure one of these bulletins
free Of cost by writing to Samuel For.
tier. chief of irrigation investigations.
United States department of agricuIt
ure. Washington. d. c.