The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-10-11
SOUTH CAROLINA
EXPERIMENT STATION
Press Bulletin No. 80.
The Growing of Alfalfa in South
Carolina.

Recently there have been number
of inquiries in regard to alfalfa re-
ceived at this Office. Our experiments
with this crop will not warrant our
recommending it as safe, one for
this state. Our soils can be made to
grow it, and it is being done in sew
eral sections of the state, with fairly
good results, but the large number
of failures and the cost of produc-
ing it are drawbacks to success with
more certainty on cowpeas, sorghum
and peas, and oats and vetch. With
these crops he can secure better re-
suits, and with less cost.
For those who are contemplating
the growing of alfalfa, one of the
best ways of getting results is to
start preparing the land at least one
year previous to the time of sowing
the seed. Unless the land is rich,
we'll drained, and free from weed and
grass seed, it will not be profitable
to sow alfalfa. In the fall, break the
land deep, and apply ton of lime
per acre, narrowing this in we'll. In
about one week apply stable manure
at the rate of from five to ten tons
per acre, and harrow this in. Then,
during some moist period in Septem-
Der, or October, the earlier the better,
sow bur clover, crimson clover or
vetch, inoculating the seed when sown
or use soil from the field where the
crop has been grown successfully. Use
liberal amount of complete ferti-
llzer at this time. In the spring as
soon as the crop is taken from the
land, plow it deep and thoroughly
again and apply 1000 pounds of lime.
Sow cowpeas broadcast, and give a
liberal application of complete fer
tilizer. Do not apply stable manure
at this time, as it will serve to spread
weed and grass seed. The stand of
peas should be thick in order that the
weed and grass will not get started.
In the fall cut the peas for hay and
plow the land shallow, or if it is
light sandy loam, discing is all that
is necessary. Apply lime again at the
rate of 1000 pounds per acre, and
harrow it in. Alfalfa should not be
sown on a loose and dry seed bed.
Sow the seed during some moist Pc
riod between the last of September
and the middel of October, at the rate
of 25 pounds per acre broadcast, and
harrow them in lightly. InocuratIng
Will be necessary and can be done
either by inoculating the seed with
Farmogerm before sowing, or by ap-
plying two hundred pounds of soil
from an old alfalfa field broadcast per
acre. Farmogerm will give good re-
suits if used properly. Use as fer
tilizer at the time of planting about
200 pounds of complete fertilizer,
narrowing it in with the seed.
If one wishes to plant alfalfa with
out going to the trouble of starting
one year early and getting the land
in good condition, we would suggest
that land which has been in cowpeas,
or some clean cultivated crop, be
used. Break the land deep and thor
oughly, and apply lime at the rate of
200 pounds or more per arce. Do not
apply any stable manure unless it is
thoroughly decomposed and free from
weed and grass seed. Otherwise the
sowing of the seed should be done in
the fall, the same as in the above
described method.
In the spring if weed and grass
get started in the field, it should be
moved as often as necessary in order
that they do not get ahead of tho
alfalfa. Under no circumstances
should weeds and grass be allowed to
mature seed in the field. Where
there are no weeds and grass to give
trouble, cuttings should be made as
often as the plants are in full bloom
or little before.
F. G. Tarbox, Jr.
Asst. to Agronomist