Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1911-08-20
TIME 0f SEE0INj ALFALFA IN
 ARKANSAS
By w. C. LASSETTER.

ndS been amply demonstrated by the many test pat ches as well as by a number Of large alfalfa farms ill diff ferent sections of the state. Experi- ence, however, has taught that the success of the crop ill. Arkansas de- bends largely upon the care and at tention paid to the seeding of the crop. The time of seeding, confined as it is to very narrow limits ih two seasons of the year is a most im- portant factor.
 s[aes 4 Season for Seeding.
 There are two seasons of the year. fall and spring, for seeding alfaAa. The best season for fall seeding i'll Arkansas is frdin AN56st 56th to SeG= tember 2otli, while that best for spring seeding is from about February 20th to March 20th In deciding between these two seasons many factors must be considered, the principal of which are the amount of moisture ava1i able for examination. the crops now on the land desired to be used, and tue prevalence of noXious weeds on the land
 Advantages of Fall Seeding.
 Where sufficient moisture can De had for the germination of the seed and for continuous growth of tAA young plant, alfalfa should be seeded early in September. The young seed ling of alfalfa throws up sin9la stem, but as it grows older, oth Y erect stems arise from the crown which forms just at the surface Gf the ground As fast as theso steat5 are cut off new stems arise, not only from the crown but also from the stubs of the old stems. Thus when alfalfa is seeded in the fall the vouna seedling has tine during the fall aad winter growing periods to produce crown and start out numerous ne@ stems. Coming out early as they do, these new stems get an carly start for most rapid growth during the favorable spring months. Thus the full benefit of a years growth can he secured the first year
 disadvantages of Fall Seeding.
 Frequently the fall is too dry for seed to germinate or if it does, it may become too dry for the young plants to live, or at best they might be un- able to make any growth before frost. However, if the seed gcrminate and the young plants live until moisture comes in the winter months. they will more than likely make sufficient growth to prevent Wintcr-killjn2. Dur ing the winter they will have sutfl- cient growing weather to put them in good condition for making an early and rapid spring growth.
 A further consideration in deter mining the time of seeding is the crop now on the land For example, grains fit in well with fall seeding while il would be cut of the question to think of getting corn or cotton off the land early enough Let us consider few of these factors separately.
 When the Land Is SoWn to Grain.
 If you wish to follow grain with al- falfa SOW the land in coWpeas at the rate of about five peeks per acre, i'm mediately after the grain has been harvested About September lst turn the cowpeas under quite deep. thor oughlv prepare the seed bed and seed to alfalfa.
 When the Land Is in Cotton.
 At the last cultivation. which should not be earlier than sometime in Au. gust, SOW three peeks of rye per acre fin the cotton This will make suffis cient growth in the fall and wintes to cover the ground well and protect it from washing and at the same time it will produce good crop Of green manure which may be turned under in the spring. Turn this sroe T crop and all cotton stalks under as early as possible after February 20lh, prepare the seedbed we'll and seed to alfalfa
 When the Land Is in Corn.
 At the last cultivation, which should be about the time the corn is in the roasting ear stage, SOW cowpeas broadcast at the rate of four peckS per acre. Cowpeas sown at this time usually produce seed which Of course should be harvested. After the cofn has been harvested cut up the stalks and turn them under to a good depth. In spring break the land little sh;l- lower than before, prepare good seedbed and SOW the alfalfa.
 When Fields are Infested With Weeds
 If the cropping system or manner of cultivation in the past has been such that fields have become badly infested with weeds, it will be bette: to grow some crop such as corn or cotton, requiring clean cultivation. one year previous to seeding to alfal- ia. These crops should be followed as outlined in the foregoing paragraphs,
 There seems to be no limit to what the traction engine can be made to do on the farm. a