The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1912-03-07

to get the roots from some neighbor
IL they can be secured that way. II
not, the station will gladly send
enough so that those ordering same
may grow enough for future paintings.
Shipments are made from May 1st on.
Eradlcating Bermuda Grass
Plant Bermuda on rough land for
permanent pasture. 1t is not well to
grow IL on rotation fields or rich al
falfa bottom lands. However, If one
wishes TO plant it on such lands 1t
is not difficult to eradicate it in the
northern part OF the state. This may
easily be accomplished by plowing in
winter deep enough to expose roots
to frost; disc thoroughly and SOW to
grain or some other cover crop in the
spring. Shading of the ground early
keeps roots that may not have been
killed by frost from coming again.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa, "the best forage" as its
name implies, is as old as the hills,
having been found growing wild by
the ancients. II has grown success
fully in the United States since 1898.
II yields from two to six cuttings a
year, four to eight tons of hay per
acre. The seed will yield four to six
bushels per acre II IT is taken from
the second OF third crop. II sells at
eight TO ten dollars per bushel. Be
cause of its high percentage OF that
| flesh and bone building material, pro-
| tein, II is regarded as the peer of even
! bran or cotton seed cake and is the
marvel Of the forage crop world; and
| yet, thousands of Oklahoma farmers
| do not realize it. II can be grown on
| almost any farm in the state, at least
few acres Of it. The bottom lands
| yield the best, but excellent yields
are obtained from rich uplands.
In chemical composition, we find
| that alfalfa contains IL per cent di-
gestible protein; red clover, 6.S; tim.
othy, 2.S; wheat bran, 1875; and ber-
muda hay, 7.6.
Alfalfa prefers a rich loan well
drained and free from any acid condi.
tion. In other words, dry sweet fer
tile soil These three added to good
tillage insures success. The critical
period is the first six weeks OF the
life OF the plant. The ground should
be plowed early and deep 1t should
be well titled, fine on top but firm un-
| derneath. IL should be free from
weeds Corn is good crop to precede
alfalfa. Fall sowing in September
without nurse crop is the surest
method to follow. If there is no favor
able fall season, SOW at cotton or corn
planting time in the spring. Use
nurse crop in fall only when soil blows
or is weedy. A peck or two of winter
barley or oats is sufficient. This nurse
crop should be moved early to give
the young plants light and air. Dur
ing the first season of growth 1t may
be necessary to cut the young alfalfa
TO keep it from blooming which takes
the vitality of the plant.
II is seldom necessary to inoculate
the soil in this state. II II is, the sol
from an old alfalfa field is best.
coat of manure often supplies the lacl
where the plants start slowly. Fiji
teen pounds OF seed per acre are ample
II seed is clear and strong Wher
sown with grain dlfl attachment, care
fully and not too deep, twelve pounds
are sufficient The seed is small anC
should not be sown too deep. Try Il
get IT to the moisture.
Alfalfa Is ready to cut when II hat
} started TO blossom or new plants arr
beginning TO appear at the crowns
, The best quality of hay is made b!
letting IL wilt for a day In the wind
row and then put into shocks to cur
: for week if necessary. In case spot
, die ont in the field, SOW seed agaii
/ and TIL we" The use OF disc harrow
( or alfalfa 4novator is recommends,
! to revive old plants. Disc should b.
I set nearly straight and weighte,
I down.
l Insist on getting strong seed. iii
, doubt about its purity or germinatin
= power, send sample to the Exper
D ment Station for test. This is don
gratis,
. with alfrlfa on our richer lands an
!. battom fields ard bermuda on the thi
( unlard soils, the farms of oklahom
4 would be supplied with sure gras
n crops that will yield abundantly c
e rich forage and pasture for livestocl
n besides enriching the soil and nreven
ing erosion.--Jas. A. Wilson, Drecto
O Oklahoma Agricultural Experimer
Station, saltwater.