El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-07-22

should be left with growth of 8 to
6 inches high, rather than clipped close
20 the ground. It should by no means
be grazed at any time. especially when
young. Alfalfa is not a pasture plant,
making no sod, hence grazing, at least
beyond a small amount of home stock,
simply means grave injury to the fu-
ture hay crops.
Through the season it will require an
irrigation about every 80 days; enough
to keep a vigcAous light pea green
color in the leaves; the lack Of water
is indicated to the practiced eye readily
by darker, blackish shade of green.
Watch your irrigator and see that
no water stands longer than 20 min
utes on any part of the land. especially
the lower ends; usually 90 minutes is
sufficient for good irrigation. but
this will vary with different soils
Harvesting.
Harvesting should begin at an early
blooming stage. unless the hay Is de-
signed solely for horses. when 1t may
be allowed to get little ripper, the
more matured seeming to be the better
feed for them. Another benefit. aris
ing from early cutting is that the
leaves, the best part of the plant,
shatter less in baling.
Frequently the rake can follow the
moving machine the same afternoon
or next morning anyway. 1t should be
raked just as soon as the rake will
gather 1t and allowed to cure in the
windrows or. better still. in small
piles, made by piling one forkful on
top of another; by this method no color
is lost, a very important point in our
markets. nor are the leaves so likely
to be lost.
The plan most used in the valley Is
to have a sweep rake take the hay
from the windrow or piles in at once
to a baleH set near the center of the
planting; this makes it easy to keep a
good supply of hay to the baler: when
once baled 1t is easily stored or piled
and covered with tarpaulins. The sun
should not be allowed 60 bleach the
bales.
Most Profitable Field Crop.
It costs about $3.50 per ton to han
die hay by these meshods. including
putting it on a ear. Once there the
price ranges from $3.50 to SIS. per ton.
while the last cuttings are bringing.
of late years, from $50 TO SIS per ton.
When 1t is considered that these
harvests may be taken off about each
SO days, or some five or six times dur
ing the growing season. Ii is patent
that even an average run is probably
easily the most safe. certain and profit
able field crop in the United States.
Each year, for the last 10 years. has
seen an increased demand and a higher
average of prices The man who can
afford to shelter his hay and secure the
winter price will find a very handsome
addition to his profits.
There is no worry about seeking a
market or finding a buyer; most of
the buyers. who come into the country
return without making the contracts
they should like to undertake.
There Is no more inviting field in
the west to the man of moderate
means than we'll seeded alfalfa farm;
his gross returns each year will ap-
proximate his investment for land and
outfit, with an absolute minimum of
risk from any cause.
The Seed Crop.
An interesting side line is the pro-
iuction of honey, which from the al
falfa fields is particularly white, del
cately favored Jand inviting. Bees
ire also a valuable, If not indispensa- |
Die adjunct TO the raising of seed; it |
S thought by some. that they double |
he yield of seed by securing better |