The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-17

soil, and by its system of deep roofing
brings near the surface certain guam
titles OF potash and phosphoric acid.
As the deep roofing alfalfa plants bore
into the soil they open up channels for
the access OF moisture down to a
greater depth than was previously pos.
sible.
Alfalfa Adapted to State
Alfalfa is naturally adapted to North
Dakota, and to show what it win do
for the state when once it is a staple
crop, it is only necessary to point out
the effects it has had upon Kansas.
The agricultural conditions of Kansas
have been almost transformed In the
last 90 years. almost solely because of
the Introduction of the alfalfa crop.
Certain lands in Kansas a few years
ago sold for So. to s5. per acre. which
are now selling at from $50 to $75 per
acre, due to the cultivation Of alfalfa.
Similar results were found in other
portions of the country.
Needs of Alfalfa.
Alfalfa demands sweet, well drained
soil. North Dakota soils are general
ly of this nature. A heavy alfalfa
must be grown, but the North Dakota
farmers have this in the Grimm var
iety. This variety seems to be hardy
enough. for all practical purposes. At
Dickinson it killed out less than per
cent against an average of over 20
per cent for sixey- eight strains.
incubation.
A difficulty in alfalfa growing in
North Dakota comes with the know
ledge that practically all of the North
Dakota soil must be inoculated with
alfalfa germs before the alfalfa will
be successful Up to the present time
but very few farmers have taken the
pains to inoculate their soil or treat
their seed, and as a consequence their
alfalfa has. generally been a failure.
incubation by means of soil is the
simplest method. incubation is nee
essary for successful alfalfa culture in
North Dakota. Exceptions to this
merely prove the rule.
Drouth Resistance.
The question of drouth resistance
must also be considered when grow
ing alfalfa in this state. Drouth re-
sistant strains can be obtained, but
for the present much better progress
can be made by properly handling
the crop.
The alfalfa plant, because of it's
great root system, is naturally drouth
resistant. The important thing is to
allow its roots to develop so that they
can reach down and obain water from
deeper layers. This development is
prevented where the alfalfa stand is
made too thick. Excessive thickness
is probably the main fault in the ma
jority of the North Dakota fields or
patches.
Under, upland conditions for at least
large area of the state FIVE pounds of
choice, hardy seed sown with drill,
is probably sufficient. This is about
one-third of the amount that is COM
monty recommended to sow. Fifteen
pounds of seed per acre would, if all
seeds grew, give 720 plants per square
yard.
At the Dickinson station we found
that in 1910 FIVE plants per square
yard gave us the maximum hay yield
over all other rates of planting. This
yield amounted to nearly two and one
half tons per acre.
Thus it is evident that we have much
to learn of what constitutes a proper
alfalfa, stand for North Dakota, In
the thinner stands the alfalfa roots
are much better developed and areable
to draw upon larger supplies of mois-
ture. This being the case, more alf-
alta growth is produced.
Cultivation.
The cultivation of alfalfa in North