Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1911-09-06


whole crop as a result.
If the soil is at all acid to grow
alfalfa it will be necessary to apply
from 1000 to $500 pounds of lime
per acre. The poorer and more
worn soils are most likely to be acid,
in which case the use of lime is es-
sential. Even on the more fertile
soils its use has usually resulted in
more vigorous and healthy growth
Lime in the form of fine ground raw
limestone is much to be preferred,
owing to its cheapness as well as to
its effect upon the soil. The soil may
readily be tested for acidity by TAX
ing thoroughly moistened soil from
few inches below the surface and
pressing it, as into a ball, about
piece of blue litmus paper. If after
ten or fifteen minutes the paper is
found to have changed to a distinct
ly pink color, one may be reasonably
sure that the soil needs lime. Other
wise lime is probably not needed.
Litmus paper can be secured at al
most any drug store.
The results of numerous and wider
tests indicate that most of our soils
probably contain the alfalfa bacteria
which are essential for continued
success with this crop. While these
bacteria are probably not present in
so large quantities as could be de-
sired, their rapid multiplication is
apparently much aided by liberal
use of manure.
On soils which do not naturally
contain these bacteria it is absolute
| ly essential that they be introduced.
This incubation may best be secured
as follows:
Just before seeding, scatter uni
formly on the piece, from $50 to 800
lbs. per acre, of soil secured from a
field where alfalfa has grown vigor-
ously and where the plants produced
in abundance tubercules on their
roots. Where this is not to be had,
soil from a sweet clover patch may
be used.
This soil should not be exposed to
the sun any more than necessary,
and may we'll be applied toward ev-
ening and narrowed in thoroughly at
once as the direct rays OF the sun
soon kill the basteria.
AS there is no way of determining
whether these bacteria are present in
given soil without attempting to
grow alfalfa, the only safe way is
to inoculate; since if they are not
present failure is almost certain. A
small area may be seeded and in
oculated the first year, from which
soil may be secured for larger areas
in following seasons.
Seeding of alfalfa should best be
done from the 10th to Goth Of Aug
ust, though success may be had from
seeding a few days later than this
provided that other conditions are
favorable. The earlier seeding is,
however, to be preferred providing
there is a sufficient amount of moist
ure in the soil to terminate the seed.
The seed should by all means be
put in with a drill when this is at all
possible, and should be placed from
ga to l 1-2 inches below the sur
face. In order to get the most uni
form stand it is often advisable to
go over the field twice, putting in
one-half of the feed each time and
crossing the field the second time
over. If it is impossible to secure
|
broadcast and narrowed in well, or
even disked in. This may be done
towards evening when any moisture
in the surface soil will help to secure
termination.
Only seed that is Of the best quail
ity should be used. Most seed COM
panies handle several grades, vary
ing much in quality, purity and ger
mination. Samples and prices may
well be secured from several seed
companies, and then the best select
ed. The college stands ready at all
times to test free of cost any sam
pies of seed for impurities and ger
mination.
In order that farmers may know
from personal experience something
of the possibilities of this crop, sew
eral of the larger seed companies
have offered, at the suggestion of the
college, to supply at reduced prices
enough seed for one acre GO fb)
This seed will be furnished In these
small amounts at little below the
rate usually asked for it when order
ed in larger quantities. Any person
ordering more than twenty pounds
will pay the regular market price for
the balance. Farmers taking advan-
tage of this special offer should indi-
cate this to the company from which
ordered, to insure that the desired
quality of seed will be sent. This
seed has been examined by the coll
lege and is known to be the very
best
The college is now planning to un-
dertake a few more cooperative tests
this fall in certain sections of the
state, in order more fully to repre-
sent all soil and climatic conditions.
An outline of this experiment and
full information regarding it will be
sent upon request to those interest
ed. While all cannot be accommo-
dated under this arrangement, the
outline will no doubt be helpful in
indicating ways of determining the
treatment necessary for the best re-
suits, on any particular soil.