Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-11-11
MORE ALFALFA FOR NEW ENG.
LAND is THIS MANS PLEA.
Eight Years of Experience and Ex-
pertinent Has Resulted in This Ver-
dict.


dict.
My faith in alfalfa as a forage crop
for the New England farmer after
eight years experience" says a Con-
neeticut farmer, lis as hopeful as ever.
First, | like it because of the large
tonnage per acre and its exceptional
feeding value. Its high protein con-
tent is productive of a large milk
flow when fed to dairy COWS. AS
food for calves nothing is better. Even
hens and pigs like their share. As
soil renovator this crop is beyond
that of any other, and can be profit
ably used in a system of crop rota-
ton. l have this season sowed an
additional eight acres. with that pur-
pose in view. 1t was sowed about
August 10, and bids fair for a large
harvest next season. | clipped it Oc-
tober 81 We never have cut less
than five cuttings per year, with total
tonnage of 10000 pounds per acre.
The prime essentials: First is good
loan soil. highly fortified. / recon-
mend the using of Is tons stable ma
nure, 1000 pounds commercial fertil-
izer per acre. at least one ton lime
per acre and 5000 pounds of inocu-
lated soil and % pounds of seed. In
fitting the soil, it should be narrowed
at least 10 times; after sowing the
seed, only roll the land, as there is
great danger of getting the seed too
deep This is to be followed by
large dose of patience and perseyer-
ance. One of the principal difficulties
is in the curing of the crop. on ac-
pf climate.
In case of wet weather in time of cut
ting it can profitably be put in the
silo. l candidly believe that on most
New England farms this crop can be
successfully and profitably grown"
Late fall is ideal for renovating old APP
pie orchards More comfortable seasons
might be found, but a rule, this is
the season when most farmers have the
most spare time There have been ax-
periments enough carried on the past
year by the Massachusetts agricultural
college and by private individuals to JUS
tify the pursuance of the renovation
policy. l
II was sent out in ne spring of 1910 by
the Massachusetts, college to an orchard
in Littleton, Mass says A. r. jerks OF
MASSACHUSETTS,. HIS oiSIdiu ia" ~
er borne a great deal of fruit, and was
made up of very high Baldwin trees,
which were planted around the stone
walls of the farm. The owner spent
about $50 in pruning these trees uhees
my direction, and as result last IAN
he received $50 barrels from them, which
netted little over $500. No fertiiizer
was added to these trees nor were tnes
sprayed, SO that probably in few years,
If these trees are properly cared for' they
will yield double the amount OF last year.
The san Jose scale, fortunately, was not
at work in this orchard, but the Drown
tail and gypsy moths We're. There are
lots more just such orchards situated
around on the hills of Massachusetts.
Pruning the Trees.
.Tn the first place, IL the trees are too
thick, cut out the poorer ones. If the
trees are very high or are infected with
San Jose scale, cut them back; that is,
head them in by cutting off about one
third of their hight. This heading IN
should be practiced anyway, because IL
brings the tree down where 1T can De
more easily sprayed and where the irui'
can be easily thinned and picked at har-
VeStlng time. Next, cut Jul etii NS"e-
diseased limbs. All that is left should
be carefully thinned, because the frult
must get the air and sunlight If weli-coi-
ored fruit of the first quality is desired
I'm making all cuts, be careful to have
them smooth and close to the tree DO
not leave any stubs, for they VIII never
heal over, and will make an exceiient
place for insects and disease to enter the
tree. After the pruning has been SANS
factorily attended to, the bark should IN
most cases be scraped An old noe makes
good implement for this work, ana ali
the rough outside bark should be scrap
ed off. Many insects and eggs are WIN
tered over underneath this loose park.
Care should be taken not to inJure the
live green bark The scars left by saw
ing .ofs tho linn s~shsnisl AT az
of some good, thick lead paint. TINS VIII