The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-09

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and unsparingly supplies its need il
y WIN ctothe his feds In beautiful
Il green, IL will supply his herds with
the choicest food, il will enrich his
soil as by magic, 1t will increase
the vaiue ef his land and lag It's rich
est. treasures at his feet in a beautiful
return for his toll and care.
sln many sections of the State the
gruwing Of alfalfa has been attempt
ed. There have been many successes
and many failures Some have been
TOO ambitious and hurried in the ex-
pertinent and failed on account Of
znprpper care ana preparation OF the
SOL and other details Others have
s,1cceesiea well in small way.
Enough mas been done successfully
10 show that there are many thohs-
anlis OF acres of soil in Virginia that
viii grow probably this great money
crop. This bulletin has been pre-
pared 10 encourage and 10 aid our
Farmers f-etss rested his
crop. Captain J r, Jack has now
growing in Virginia more than 4op
acres IN alfalfa. He has grown al
falfa In the West and is thoroughly
fA0fAlldT Win n NlE itAAH RAliNAN wa
scented to state in detail how he is
growing alfalfa Sc successfully in Viz
giniar
At the outset Captain JsHk declares
that prospective raisers of alfalfa
should study the locality and local
conditions so as 20 modify or enlarge
upon the stereotyped rules as par
ticuiar conditions demand.
Worth Much Money.
he then gives the ten best ways OF
making success Of an aiEaifa. They
follow:
u. Select choicest land.
- See that land is well drained.
g. Supply any lack Of humus and
organic matter by blowing, under
cowpeas or crimson clover.
- Correct acidity in the soil and
produce other conditions required for
alfalfa by applying ground limestone
~ literally as can be afforded, Tn
burned lime is preferable as II brings
the best results. Use from one to
1--WE tons per acre for the first year. IL
sou use no lime your crop will tie a
failure.
- Fourteen per cent. acid phos-
phate rock applied az the rate of 500
to LOCO pounds TO an acre brings
good results.
IN .s6. See that seed he'd is made
~ nearly perfect as may be with In
fense cultivation and allow no noXious
weeds to mature in the alfalfa field.
~. Seed thirty pounds to the acre
IN Virginia Twelve TO twenty pounds
I Ii ample In the West.
s. The best results are obtained
In seeding by a 16-foot wheelbarrow
drill.
-. Inocuiate the soil you intend
growing alfalfa in with soil in which
It has grown successfully elsewhere
or treat the seed with pure culture
chtainahle from the department OF
I agriculture at Washington.
10, Plant alfalfa from August ] s
[ 70 September TO-"
Speaking OF several cuttings from
alfalfa In a season, Captain Jack says
~ made the first cutting somew here
Between May 10 and May 90, the sec
8 ond between June 20 and 80: the
third between August l and 10: the
III fourth between September 20 and &c
and the fifth between November II
j and 20. There is not always a NTH
cutting, but ordinary the third and
Y fourth crops are heavy. In especially
3 flne crops there are fifth cuttings"
Not Theory But Fact.
Commenting on the adaptability al
i the soil of Virginia for the raising oi
this crop. which has made million.
N aires OF many Western farmers. Cap.
tain Jack says: After four years OF
careful Investigation and energeti,
and reasonably well-directed effort
u arm thoroughly convinced that alfalfs
7 can be successfully grown in Virginia
Tor commercial purposes in quantities
& large enough to make IL profitable
Investment. This is not a theory but
fact which has been demonstrated
on Belle Grove and Walsingham es.
kates. Port Conway, Va"
Commissioner koiner's advice tC
{ these intending smbafking In the al
Il faifa raising business liz select loose
ioaHiy soil. keep IL well lined ant
q free from weeds, and see that it I,
q veil drained
Following these simple instruction.
may mean millions of dollars to Vir
& gfnia farmers within decade.
In addition to the financial return
"a the farmers VIII get from their al
4 fAlfa. they can also feed something L
Il their live stock which the latter ca
ana say this is better than cake,
& according to Mr. koiner Captain
Jack and Mr.. Koiner insist that h,
u feeding live stock less alfalfa thar
81 my other foodstuff. the weight ant
pulling ability OF horses. and mill
1uppiy of COWS increase. Less OF al
AKalfa liz needed to make good stock
L and all herbiyerous animals thirty,
1 best on H.