The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-09-12
ALFALFA SEED PRODUCTION.

There seems to be a good deal
interest aroused in the production 0
alfalfa seed The price which gooc
seed Is bringing. direct from th
hreshing machine would indicat
there Is a good profit in producin
this crop. The price paid for alfalf
seed has always been rather high anf
there seems to be no danger of II be
-oming lower for some time TO come
This crop Is now being grown yer
commonly through the eastern part 0
the United States where seed produf
'ion is rather difficult. hence there +
a big demand for seed ia localitie
which cannot produce II.
There seems TO be certain oond'
tl0ns which favor the production o
alfalfa seed lts Yields are AWAY
low when the seasons are exceeding
wet. hence We find that the majorit
of tho seed is produced where tn
rainfall Is light and under semi
jronihv conditions There should
however, be enough moisture -resen
n the soil 10 make a fair growth o
stems as Well as enough to mature
the seed When too much water Is
present the growth goes largely e
'he stems and leaves and the prodpc
Ion Of seed IS light thin stand
also seems 10 give the best results II
seed production For this reasor
some people. especially in the dr.
portion Of the United States. drill
their alfalfa IN rows and keep II cul
tivated when they expect to produce
4 crop of seed
In this state II is usually CUSTOMARY
20 save either the second or thir
crop for the growth OF seed, BY re
moving one or two crops the adverse
conditions Just mentioned are over
come and the chances for success are
much greater
Most growers advise the cutting o.
the crop when one-haif 10 three
'ourths of the pods turn brown
others ten the time 20 cut by the gen
aral appearance OF the crop Some
may prefer 20 allow the crop TO be
come slightly oye7 ripe and then Gu
when the plants are slightly dam
either from dew or rain. The time c
cut depends entirely upon the time a
which the maximum quantity Of good
seed can be secured.
A grest many different methods are
used 70 harvest a crop OF alfalfa foi
iced. A binder may be used and the
bundles bound or the twine may be
left out thus throwing The crop into
punches. Some people use a seif-rakc
reaper. bat these are not very com
mon and it IS not necessary 70 buy
lne in order 20 save the crop success
fully. Personally. We Ike the buncher
which may be attached TO a mower
bar better than any OF these methods
mentioned. SUCH an attachm snt. wiz
cost only $500 or $500 and q vii.
ieave the crop either in windows or
in bunches according 90 the win o.
ne driver. 10 leaves the cutting 10
The psth where the horses travel So
hat when they come around the field
next time 70 IS entirely out of the way.
and hence no seed is tramped out
These attachments can be secureu
Tor any mower.
II machine can be secured at the
best tine e would probably be best
- thresh direct from the field than
10 stack the crop The alfalfa huiler
foes the Rest work IN ihreshing but
t is not necessarv 60 secure one %
.hcse before alfalfa seed is grown
Several different threshinr machines
laFe attachments made for aifaifa
Railing and 10 doubt oBe 80 these /
Fould be secured BY yogr LEGAL