Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1913-08-07


agricultural colleges, and the result.
obtained by the actual growers of al
falfa in the semi-arid sections of the
west, throughout the corn belt states
and in the south and east, are conclu
sive evidence of the great value OF
alfalfa.
There are few farmers whose profits
would not be increased greatly by rails.
ing alfalfa. Every farmer should aim
to produce, as far as possible, his
foodstuffs upon his own farm.
During the last few years, the area
devoted to alfalfa has greatly in
creased In the region west OF the Mis-
souri, river, and 1t is certain that
there will be an equally rapid in
crease throughout the eastern and
southern parts of the United States.
Many of the attempts in the past
to grow alfalfa in the humid regions
have failed, but with our present
knowledge of the requirements of the
crop there will be little, If any, more
trouble in securing stand.
Alfalfa will soon be grown abun-
dainty and profitably upon every farm
1t is no more difficult to grow than
clover and gives double the yield. The
deep roofing habit of alfalfa enables
1t to resist drouth when clover, tim
othy, blue grass and other forage
grasses die for want of moisture. AL
falfa roots grow deep into the soil
far beyond the roots Of other plants.
It's drouth resisting power is of no
greater importance than its great
value as a soil enricher. The long
roots bring phosphorus, potash and
other plant foods from below and
store them in the upper soil for the
use of other plants. Experiments show
greatly increased yields of other crops
grown upon alfalfa sod.
Alfalfa is rich in protein the most
essential element in feed to make
bone, blood and muscle in growing ami
mails.
Why We Need Alfalfa.
There is no combination Of feeds
so economical for the production of
beef, pork, mutton, butter and eggs,
as corn and alfalfa. Neither will give
he best results alone. We need alfal-
ia because it balances up the corn
ration and saves the large waste of
starch which always takes place
where corn is fed alone. We need
alfalfa because we can by means Of it
grow on our own farms the protein
more profitably than we can buy it in
eed stuffs. We need alfalfa because
t feeds the soil and enables US to
grow larger crops of corn and oats.
We need alfalfa because it produces
IN an average double the feed value
yer acre of clover or any other forage
,rop.
Advisable to inoculate.
In regions where alfalfa has not
,een grown it is found to be neces-
AIRY to inoculate the ground by SOW
ng three or four bags of soil secured
rom a field where alfalfa or sweet
lover has been grown for
lumber of years; or where 1t
S more convenient, artificial cul
ure, such as "nitragin,' farmo-
erm;" ETC., may be applied. Where
Italia has not been grown before it
nay make the difference between sue
ess and failure.
Alfalfa Essentials.
A well prepared, firm, solid seed
ed, plenty of good barnyard manure,
nd fallow to kill the weeds, are most
Important. Lime? Yes, one to two
Dads per acre, and by all means in
culate. Ground too wet for corn is
OF suited for alfalfa.
Make Beginnine-start Now.
Every farmer should try at least
small piece of alfalfa and II he
oes not succeed at first, try
gain and keep on trying until he does
lcceed. 1t is worth the while. If
lie work is thoroughly done aid at
le proper time, you will most GER
linly succeed in securing a good
and if the work is half done and
ut of season, you will just Us GER
,inly fail. Make a beginning-start