Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1912-10-16
THE GROWING OF ALFALFA.
Information Given Out by those i'm
Charge OF Demonstration Work.

Clemson College, Oct. 9.-Special:
Recently there have been a number
or inquiries in regard to alfalfa re-
ceived at this office. Our expert
ments with this crop will not warrant
our recommending it as a safe one
for this State. Our soils can be
made to grow it, and it is being done
in several sections Of the State with
fairly good results, but the large
number Of failures and the cost OF
producing it are drawbacks to sue
cess with this crop. The farmer can
rely with more certainty on cowpeas,
sorghum and peas, n oats and
vetch. With these crops he can Sc
cure better results, and with less
cost.
For those who are contemplating
the growing Of alfalfa, one of the best
ways Of getting results Is to start pre-
pairing the land at least n year pre-
vious to h time Of sowing the seed.
Unless the land is rich, we'll drained,
and free from eed and grass seed
1t will not be profitable to SOW al
falfa. In the fall break the land
deep and apply a ton Of lime per
acre, narrowing this In we'll. In
about one week apply stable anu
at the rate Of from five to ten IONS
per acre, and harrow this in. Then,
during some moist period in Septem-
Der, or October, the earlier the bet
ter, SOW bur clover, crimson clover or
vetch, inoculating the seed when
sown or use soil from the field where
the crop has been grown successfully.
Use a liberal amount OF complete
fertilizer at this time. In the spring
as soon as the crop is taken from the
land, pillow 1t deep and thoroughly
again, and apply 1000 pounds Of
lime. Sow cowpeas broadcast, and
give a liberal application of a COM
plete fertilizer. Do not apply stable
manure at this time, as it will serve
to spread weed and grass seed. The
stand Of peas should be thick in
order that the weeds and grass will
not get started. In the fall cut the
peas for hay and plow the land shall
low, or If 1t Is a light sandy loan,
discing Is all that is necessary. APP
ply lime again at the rate of 1000
pounds per acre. Sow the seed dur
ing some moist period between the
last of September INT the middle OF
October, at the rate of 25 pounds per
acre, broadcast, and harrow them in
lightly. lnoculatiAg will be neces-
sary and can be done either by inoc-
ulating the seed with Farmogerm be-
fore sowing, or by applying two hun
dred pounds Of soil from an old al
falfa field broadcast per acre. Farm
ogerm will give good results If used
properly. Use as fertilizer at the time
of planting about 200 pounds Of COM
plete fertilizer, narrowing it in with
the seed.
If one wishes to plant alfalfa with
out going TO he trouble Of starting
n year early and getting the land
In good condition, we would suggest
that land which has been in cowpeas.
or some clean cultivated crop, be
used. Break the laud deep and thor
uughsV, and apply lime nC IN. rate OF
200 pounds or more per acre. DO
not Apply any stable manure unless
t. is thoroughly d~cconlDnsed ard
ire" from weed and grass seed. ON.
erwlsC .AU sowing OF t.,e seed should
be done in the fall, the same as in
the above described method.
In the spring If the weed and grass
get started in the field it should be
moved as often as necessary in Or
der tina they do not get ahead of the
alfalfa. Under no circumstances
shoulds weeds and grass be allowed
to mature seed in the field. Where
there are no weeds and grass to give
trouble, cuttings should be made as
often as the plants are in full bloom
or little before.
f.. G. TarboX, Jr.,
Assistant to Agronomist.
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