The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1912-04-18
ALFALFA ON DRY LAND
Three Conditions Under Which
Farmers May Try Crop.
First, Where Sufficient Moisture Can
BE Secured, In Locations Where
Pumping Plant Is Handy and
on Deep Soil.

on cttp SOls
Try PHU.o X. BI.INN. Alfalfa Special
list, Colorado Agricultural Colege)
Alfalfa under dry farming condi-
tions can not be expected to grow
with the same measure of success |
that It does under irrigation, nor
should the dry farmer expect success
when alfalfa IL sown IN the same man |
ner that is usually sown under irri- /
cation; a different system of cultiya-
tion must be employed
Alfalfc is very drought enduring |
plant when II is once well estab- |
lishcd, II its roots can reach some
deep sub-sou moisture but Il Is q mis-
taken idea that the roots of alfalfa will
penetrate through dry soil TO reach
moisture: Il Is impossible. II Is es'
sential at the very start, In seeding
alfalfa, that there should be moisture
in the sub-soil 1t is useless to at
tempt to seed alfalfa on dry land, that
has not been previously deeply plowed
for several years, so that moisture has
penetrated to considerable depth. II
one contemplates seeding alfalfa, the
best plan is to summer till the pre-
vious season with clean cultivation.
There are at least three conditions
under which farmers could be advised
to try alfalfa in the dry farming dis
tricts.
l. Along creek beds or water
courses. where water or moisture from
the underflow would supply the plants
sufficiently 10 produce a fair crop.
2. In locations that might he wa
tered with a pumping plant. or where
the run-off from storms could be d.
verted onto fields. which were ade-
quately ditched and furrowed to re-
celve the water that might be avail
able after heavy storms from land ly-
ing above. There are doubtless many
such spots through the dry farming
sections that could be well devoted to
alfalfa.
3. On deep soil that has good mois-
ture retention, and that has been
deeply titled to establish sub-soil
moisture alfalfa could be sown with
view to producing seed by seeding
in wide rows. SO to 40 inches apart,
and sown very thinly in the rows.
This has been success In an expert
mental way at several points In the
United States. and when the condi-
tions are understood. there is doubt
less a great field for some men situat-
ed to engage In alfalfa seed growing.
Under all dry farming conditions II
Is advisable to SOW alfalfa In rows
for intertillage. to conserve the mois-
ture and to control the weeds, the
width OF the rows depending some
what upon the probable moisture sup
ply. Under conditions almost equal
to irrigation, rows 1S to 20 inches
apart have been successful. but on dry
land which receives only the actual
precipitation of ~ to Is inches. rows
40 inches apart are necessary, the
stand of plants in the rows must be
very thin. for the overpasturing Of the
limited moisture supply will be Just
as disastrous as overcrowding a lin
tied water supply with a great herd OF
cattle.
Cultivation Is absolutely essential Ia
: all dry farming crops. and especially
alfalfa. to hold the moisture and to
keep clean OF weeds. A thin stand OF
alfalfa II neglected will become a use
less weed patch.
There are several difficulties to be
met in growing alfalfa In rows. First
securing a stand of plants and fight
ing weeds. which can only be met by
thorough preparation of the soil and
good careful cultivation. Second. blow
ing and washing Of the cultivated sol
between the rows by wind and rains
Selecting the fields not subject t.
these troubles Is wise precaution
and 1t is advisable to SOW the rows II
the opposite way TO the direction o.
the prevailing winds. but in the same
direction that the water will run best
This is sometimes impossible to do
!, then one has to cater TO the most prob
able danger.