Semi-weekly herald., 1910-09-19
coLoRADo's MODERN ALcHEMisT

1t is well known that alfalfa finds
portanee of this forage plant to the
prosperity oil the state is also well
known. A further impetus is to be
given to the growth of a'fAifa for seed
and forage by the Colorado Aericul-
tIral college. 1t is believed that the
yield in pure seed and in tonnage per
acre cannot only be materially increas-
ed but that the purity hardness, and
reliability OF the seed can be greatly
improved
For a number of years the Colorado
Experiment station has conducted va.
Iriely tests of alfalfa at its substation
at Rocky Ford, colo, under the di
toction of Prof. p. X. Blinn, a gradu.
ate of the Colorado Agricultural col
leee. who is recognized as one OF the
Lest western authorities on the sub
iee'
The early Introduction of alfalfa into
Colorado from California marked the
beginning of a most important agri-
cultural era Fed to lambs, alfalfa
Eets rich return in addition to the
fcrtiiizing value of the manure which
is returned to the soil. The value OF
this staple food plant to the semi
arid regions of the west cannot easily
be Imagined. at is the very basis OF
(s,f,r.da ..o,f ..,,I,,.ra
Alfalfa supplies the life giving ele-
ments most needed for plant growth
IN Colorado soil, the rich chemical
and physical properties of which Colo
r9do inherited from the ages.
Alfalfa is the one crop we must
cultivate in Colorado for successful
crop rotation.
II is the determination of the Colo
rado experiment station to ascertain
The varieties best adapted to the
different sections of the state, 1t is
believed that the feeding value of the
plant. as well as the tonnage per acre
and its palatability as hay, can be
greatly improved.
For a number of years the Colo
RADIO experiment station has recognized
the Importance of this great forage
crop and has conducted variety tests
and experiments in alfalfa seed breed
ns. The station has recently taken
! means to intensity its work and te
broaden its scope in an effort to assist
tie farmers of Colorado in securing {
| greater tonnage and a higher food con
tent.
| Professor Blinn will give his entire
| time to this investigation. He is nov
on Il visit to the Nebraska experiment
ion at ST. Anthony park, and a mum
her Of private seed breeding farms il
Minnesota, North and South Dakota
Montana and Wyoming, during whiel
he win make a thorough study of th,
work done in alfalfa growing at thes,
varloLs stations and farms, securing
data on the varieties that are hard,
enough to withstand the climate o
the northern states and to find out
ii POSSIBLE, a reliable source of see'
for tlese hardy strains, especially III,
Grim alfalfa. which has proved to b.
one OF the best varieties for Colorado
II is hoped that cooperation be
tween the growers of the north AM
ibe,r state experiment stations can b.
brought about withour own experimen
station SO that Colorado farmers ma,
buy seed from dependable sources an,
be assured of the purity and variety
The Colorado experiment station i
planning to conduct cooperative eS
periments with interested farmers il
different sections of the state unde
the direction of Mr.. Blinn. In thi
way, varieties can be tested and see,
grown for Colorado, and eventually tn,
best type established for the differen
sections of the state.
l.. NJ. TAYLOR.
Colorado Agricultural College. For
Collins.