The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-06-09


The question e. to whether alfalfa
can be SUCCESSFULLY grown in Michigan
and whether 1t is profitable crop for
the farmer has been settled by indivi-
dual farmers all over the state. still
there are thousands who are not con-
yinced that it would be to their ad-
vantage to try few acres this year.
The newspapers of the state cannot do
a better thing for the agricultural in
interests of Michigan than to give space
to articles relating to this crop and
The TINES intends to do so frequently.
We ask careful reading of the fol-
lowing experience of Barry county
farmers, taken from the Hastings Ban
ner: Can alfalfa be successfully grown
in Barry Coz Decidedly YES accord
ing to the experience of M. 81. and Ross
Burton on the Burton farm two miles
south of town. They have 10 acre
field that gives every promise to a 81
ton to the acre crop for the June cut
ting, and as much more, or total of
five tons to the acre, for the succeed
ing cuttings.
M. 81. Burton began his experiments
with alfalfa in the nineties He had a
small patch, that he used for expert
mental purposes, in the rear of his
barn. This was exceptionally rich,
and the soil no doubt free from acid.
He obtained several bumper crops from
this 3.5 of On acre patch. But when
he tried it later, as he did twice, on
larger scale, he failed to get good
catch. He estimates that he lost fully
$500 in unsuccessful attempts to grow
alfalfa on two fields of his farm.
Two years ago this spring, Mr.. Bur-
toms SONS Ross and Leo fitted 10 acre
field for alfalfa. Ross had read all he
could about alfalfa growing, and learn
ed what he could from the experience
Of others who had tried growing it,
He concluded that the former failures
in raising alfalfa on the Burton farm
were due to the presence of acid in the
soil; and that it was therefore neces-
,ary to use lime plentifully on land
where it was hoped to raise alfalfa.
This ten acres was plowed early, was
narrowed thoroughly, and put in fine
condition for seeding. Then 1000 lbs.
If Stacked lime to the acre was sown |
IN it. care being taken to secure its |
,ven distribution. To show whether |
ime really was a help, Ross left one
en foot strip unlimed on the west end
If the field. The alfalfa seed was sown
IN this we'll prepared field in June 1910.
About that time came veritable clou d
BURST, which quilted the field badly.
But the alfalfa came on beautifully,
except in the washed places. 1t win
cred well. Two relatively small crops
we're secured last year. 1t was pastur-
ID little, and this made it impossible
% gather third crop in 1910. But
he plants were thrifty and the stand
vas fine. This helped to hold the snow
N the ground last winter. 1t went
through the winter in good shape, and
8 now so far in advance that winter
filling or heaving is not to be feared,
t looks good for three good cuttings,
nd for five tons to the acre. 1t is a
sight. The field fronts the
asst and west road on the south side of
DR.. Burton's farm, and is we'll worth a
rip to see. We visited it on Wednes.
ay of last week, and found the stalks
f alfalfa from IA to IS inches high. 1t
} growing thriftily, actual measure
nents showing growth of over an inch
day. 1t is thick, even and of a very
ich color.
Any one who visits this alfalfa field
hould particularly notice the unlimed
trip, about 10 feet wide, across the ex-
RENE west end of the field. He will
bserye that on this strip there are very
ew alfalfa plants but there is a bum.
er crop of sorrel on that strip. This
trip was sown as thickly with alfalfa
BED as was the rect of the field. This
trip shows what would have happened
D the whole field had it not been lined
the attempt to grow alfalfa on it
,ould have been failure. It is a
of the wisdom and neces-