The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-09
ALFALFA MAY BE
KING IN IN VIRGINIA.
Commissioner Koiner to Issue Bull
letin on Manipulating
Hay Crop.
-~-----------
MAY MEAN MILLIONS
TO STATE FARMERS
Capt. j. F. Jack, Virginia's "Al-
falfa Prince. Tells How to Sue
cessfully Raise Five Gut
tings a Season.

A. v II ii3AA ~ lHtNN AAOAAA A%Ahh dhtot6
the alfalfa reproducing states within
the next decade?
This somewhat surprising question
IL being asked in all earnestness by 4
serious minded men who have given 4
the raising OF alfalfa In the SoAt4sy- fi4e
most careful study for many uionthn.
Their answer is that the Old Dornin-
ion within ten or fifteen years WILL ~
yielding as much II not more alfalfa
than any other State In which that
splendid paying, hardy and reliable hay
is grown. III
At present there are not many affai-
IA farms in probably NOT
more than a dozen. and the hay is be-s
ing grown as an experiment in the ma
jority of cases. These experimenters,
however, cannot fail to make a success
of their venture. II they follow tho
proper instructions. and each month
they study alfalfa they become bet-
ter versed in raising II.
Down at Port Conway, however,
there is one farmer. Captain j. +. Jack,
who has 400 acres planted in alfalfa.
He cuts from three 10 Ave crops OF ala
falfa each season. AT each cutting the
field Is about two tons to the acre.
taking three cuttings as the average
ror season. which is low. and two
tons as the average yield, which il
the maximum, II is readily seen that
the average yield per acre is six tons
OF alfalfa season.
Capt. Jack, a westerner. who became
convinced years ago that Virginia's
soil would produce anything that west
ern land would. not only gets from $40
to S23 a ton for his alfalfa, but sells
his entire crops for that price before
he cuts II down in the field. His all
falfa brings him something like $4,000
a year. while other farmers who work
harder, run more risk. have more wor-
ry and cover greater acreage make less
money.
A Prolific Clover.
Alfalfa Is a kind of clover, growing
about three feet tall. having probably
one hundred medium sized leaves on a
stalk about the size OF that OF weed !
and purple blossom. 1t grows best
when thickiy planted. One OF It's chief
virtues ia that 1t has to be planted bift
once TO grow from one to tnirteen
years Ten years is the average time
one planting of seed will grow produc-
tive and profitable crops. although n
one of the northern counties or vir-
g4nia an experimenting farmer has nad
one acre of alfalfa growing for thir-
teen years on single planting.
Commissioner Koinsr has been a.
much elated over Capt Jacks succeaaI
If II were his own personal achieve
ment. Capt, Jack takes 1t as the most
natural thing in the world that h6s.
should raise as good crop OF aIf&ifA
in Virginia as, in the west, where tt
was first grown. sa@A
Both Commissioner Koiner and Can't
Jack believe that alfalfa will grow IN
all parts Of Virginia, If the farmers
Will first equip their lands and them
selves GROW this rrayr vrnfot,
probably more money than anything
else that can be planted. Is always de-
Sendabie and for which there II 49,
everincreasing market. 4
Mr.. koinAr believed the raising ~ ~
alfalfa to be of such Importance tn
the agricultural interests OF the Stats
that he visited Captain Jacks farxns
at Port Conway recently and rode a1fs
over the great stretch of awayinN
green and purple hay. Upon hfSa
returning he was as enthusiastic ~
young reporter just returned from
witnessing the first hanging OF h3aS
career. Mr.. Koiner brought back tr2
Richmond large armfuls OF aifn1fas.
and broad smile of admiration and
enthusiasm formed the background On
his giant bundle. To all the farmers
he met he said grow alfalfa and
get wealthy" s#s1
Letters From Farmers.
In addition to his own enthusiasts
Mr.. kotRer has received numbe&k
of letters from Virginia farmers aslI~s
ing for Instructions as to fuw t.
grow alfalfa. There seems to have
been an awakening among the agff%
culturists that they have been cheat
ing themselves by growing crops that
paid less than alfalfa does. sSss
Commissioner koiner, who has do1xna1
great good for the arrtflfJfMraJ J&R.zM
terests of the State and Is ever on
the alert to do all he can for thoilka
ACKNOWLEDGMENT and enhancement hnSz
prepared a bulletin on alfalfa 10 b05
issued within the next several DAYS
This bulletin probably will. and uia@5
doubleday should. mark new epo6l&
in agriculture in Virginia. s@3S
The bulletin has been complied alsJf
prepared with Instructions. a porxonafs
talk and pictures from Captain JAo1Ss
Mr.. Koiner has studied Captain J6cks65
methods Of planting. cuitiyatiM4@2
moving. curing and storing alfelf&S
and read every word he could anNs
about alfalfa. He believes the huliskt
which he will shortly place tn fl5Xs
hands Of Virginia farmers will beg In ss
valuable in that 1t win enabie eA6IK
and every man owning land in NffHj
ginia to get a good theoretical knoS&%1
edge of preparing the soil and hllk<
self to raise this profitable crop wlII&l
can bring 10 the agriculturfstz az st1S&3
State probably twice rne money tl3
any other crop can. NJ NJ
Believing Captain Jack. BY nen1
of his unqualified success. is the 6i
man in Virginia to tell others HS
TO raise alfalfa. Commissioners K0f6
quotes NEST literally from this Isxj1
Conway farmers writings whtch III
furnished him for that purpnEa
The bulletin. now In the hands
Alfalfa in Virginia" In intr041
Captain Jacks comment ana tn
tons. Mr.. Koiner will say:
"A Most PrOnfablc Cruz
1.-THE alfalfa crop IL ene IA
most profitable the farmer cnrI
For him who understands NJ