The Dolores star., 1912-02-16

Some Alfalfa Facts and Theories.
IN the FIRST place l want 1t to be
known that ! am . farmer aud not .
scientist aud what ] have to say IL from
experience and observation on the
ranch together with . few facts aud
figures that l know and some theories
that I have. want to take up first
the selection Of alfalfa seed. This
should be done ~ soon after threash-
ing rs possible, ~ at that time there 10
more seed To select from aud usually
the price h lower In the fall than In
the spring. Look for seed that has .
uniform. acknowledgment color aud
avoid that which has large percent
age Of small, shriveled, or black seeds.
The small shriveled seeds are imma-
turs aud will show, II tested, weak
termination while the black seeds are
probably diseased. The seeds should
w generally bean or kidney shaped
and should have . taste similar to but
stronger than beans.
II the seed contains much sweet
clover the taste will be exceedingly
hitter. Test oil ssed for termination.
rhis can BE- done simply aud easily BY
using . piece Of cotton flannel six
inches wide by twelve inches long.
Put one hundred seeds on one end aud
fold the other end over It. Place this
on top Of . saucer Inverted In . plate
turn . little water into the plate and
let one or two corners Of the flannel lie
Immersed in the water. ThIs will
draw sufficient moisture to germinate
the seeds which will require from 1--we
to eight days depending on the temper
ature. Now l want to take up the
land aud seed bed: One great trouble
In getting = good stand Of alfalfa Ii
waiting TO long for the sowing. A
good many Of Us will grow grain on
land - long ~ It will produce any
thing aud then seed It with the sx.
pectAtion Of harvesting bumper crops
of alfalfa. Now the alfalfa plant Is n
good rustler but cannot attain perfec-
ton when the fertility 10 almost gone.
Treat the farms to alfalfa before the soil
II worn out.
The blowing should he well done aud
deeply, especially where the soil Is Of
heavy, clayey nature ~ this gives the
roots better opportunity to 20 into the
ground aud II also mixes the soil 80 ~
To improve the fertility. II Is essential
that the fertility In the soil I've thor
"ughly mixed aud digcsted 30 to speak,
6efore II eau be utilized by the plants.
You know, you eau take . shovelfui Of
manure and nothing will grow In Il,
but when scattered judicloualy notice
ably Increased Yields will result. In
Loose sandy soils deep plowing is not ~
essential ~ the water will carry the
fertility deeper into the ground aud the
alfalfa roots have less difficulty In pen
strsting deeply. Follow the pillow with
the harrow, immediately No NJ to get
COED seed led and level the ground
both ways. The seeding may be either
Ia drills or broadcast, I broadcast mins,
but II In drills II SHOULD not be In the
san,s drills with = nurse crop, but sepa.
rately and not so deep ~ the grain
crop 10 usually drilled.
There Ia = wide difference IN opinion
~ 10 the right quantity Of seed to SOW.
The alfalfa grains sre very small aud
admit Of considerable scattering. Some
farmers Insist that i've pounds to the
acre 10 enough aud Others that twenty
dve 10 not too much. Both ~ to sx.
trsnss There are about 5000, 900 seeds
In one bushei u alfalfa aud II planted
sIx inches apart each way one buslsl
would plant twenty.sisht acres. II
planted three inches apart each way II
would seed about nins acres aud II one
sssd wss allowed 10 every two inches
zach way. Il would plant about four
Acrss. THIS looks like putting the
plants tao Gloss together, but h,
tbisk sboat the right quantity Of sssd
- larss ~ cent AZ The sssd although
i ssnulnaiss doss not mature plants
Ihat live. The alfalfa plant needs aud