Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1912-09-05
WAYS OF SEEDING ALFALFA
standing Regarding Seeding Of
Crop In the West.

During the winter we made num-
Der of inquiries regarding the seeding
Of alfalfa on irrigated land under our
immediate conditions. There seems to
De general misunderstanding regard
Ing the seeding of this crop; some Of !
he eastern farm journals for instance |
have stated. ut is a waste OF SEED
10 try to grow this crop on soil OF a
sandy nature" Another paper advised
Its readers not to seed on heavy
soil"
A large number OF farmers read
eastern farm journals and as result
are often misled by such statements
says a writer in the Denver Ranch
and Range. The above may be true,
and no doubt is true, under these par
ticular conditions, but 1t does not hold
for our western states.
The idea of seeding alfalfa very
early In the spring is not so general
as 1t was several years ago; this Is
more especially true in the windy sec
tons of the west In the spring when
high winds prevail there is tendency
to either blow out the seed or whip
off the young plants; also have we to
contend with the drying winds that
take the moisture from the surface OF
the soil very rapidly.
Do not work the soil too deeply;
shallow blowing if the soil has to be
plowed, is preferable. Get the soil in
shape either the fore part of June OF
the last of July. Prepare a good but
solid seed bed, have the soil good and
moist before seeding. put the seed II
with a drill at the rate of 10 pounds
to the acre.
Where the soil is inclined to blow
several methods have been practiced
One of these is to seed the alfalfa int
8 the small grain stubble the end o
I July. This can be done very NIGEL!
after fall grain, as this comes of o
the ground early in the season. An
9 other good method Is to seed ry
} about the first of July, and when thl
o has reached the height of about thre
inches. drill in the alfalfa seed.
After a thorough inquiry, we foun
D. that In the larger percentage of case
m better stands were secured on lat
keeulDS OIL dlldlld l-ihc"iSC Hu -
e found that the deep loose soil is nc
conducive to good stand In the ave
W age seasons. We do not recommen
ig the careless and shiftless preparatio
10 of the soil. but believe in good tilt
that has a solid, firm bed in which ii
alfalfa seed is placed.
Nv Not long ago We took part in a Co
ID versation in which several grain gro'
o. ers remarked that This year we hay
Sc to begin irrigation early and force Il
~ grain from the start" We are ARA
TO that a number of farmers Will NAL
as this mistake. Do not be afraid OF Il
DIV late season. The snow and moistu
he we have had has put the ground
Ter nice shape and when once the grain
seeded, will make a rapid growth.
ct Observation and experience ha
Ike. taught US that too much water is
me detriment and will decrease the or
Ter as much as a shortage Of water
yer decrease it.
ltn During the season watch the 6
ing and do not let the moisture get do
ing too low at any time during the gre
ike H. .oo.or hut ~ we can STAY off I
IN application of water until the or;
begins to shoot, then We are aim
H. sure of a good big yield. Irrigati
lrst the grain too young has the same
1ao feet on it as too much rain would ha
you In the eastern states