Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1913-10-16
NNDfN TO TELL HOW AND
WHY TO GROW ALFALFA

Continued from rage H.
commercial value), the principal ele-
'sant of plant food. Alfalfa growing,
mn n turn, stimulate livestock and
1a;rv;ng interests and of necessity
h hr about diversified system of
farm practice.
When the above conditions are
,ronobt about the wasteful methods of
shining away soil fertility to the grain
alsrators will cease. Livestock will
consume the forage and the fertilizing
elements of the barn yard will be re-
turned to the fields; lands will become
more productive and increase in per
acre value. Agricultural and CONNER
eial conditions will improve, to the
benefit of town and country alike.
Professor Holden who heads the party
has written the following interesting
alfalfa article:
Repeated experiments made by the
agricultural colleges. and the results
obtained by the actual growers OF al
falfa in the semi-arid sections Of the
west, in many parts Of the Pacific
northwest, throughout the corn belt
states and in the south and east. are
conclusive evidence of the great value
Of alfalfa
There are few farmers whose profits
would not be increased greatly by
raising 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 II certain th.t |
there will be an equally rapid in
crease throughout the eastern and |
southern parts Of the United States.
and in that region known as the In
land Empire.
Many Of the attempts in the past
to grow alfalfa in the semi-arid sec
ton in Washington. Oregon and parts
Of Idaho have failed. but with our pres.
emit knowledge Of the requirements OF
the crop there will be little. II any.
more trouble In securing q 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 al.
falfa enables 1t to resist drouth when
clover, timothy, blue grass and other
forage grasses die for want of mois.
ture Alfalfa roots grow deep into
the soil-far beyond the roots of 9th.
er plants.
Its drouth resisting power is of no
greater Importance than it's great
value as 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 9th.
sr crops grown upon alfalfa sod
Alfalfa is rich In protein. the most
essential element in feed to make
BONE blood and muscle in growing
lnimAls.
Why We Need Alfalfa.
There Is no combination of feeds
70 economical for the production OF
beef, pork, mutton, butter and eggs.
y corn and alfalfa. Neither will give
he best results alone We need alfal.
. because 1t balances up the corn
alton and saves the large waste OF
tarch which always takes place
vhere corn 10 fed alone We need
afalfa because we can by means of
grow on our own farms the protein
nore profitably than we can buy it in
BED stuffs. We need alfalfa because
feeds the soil and enables us to
row larger crops of corn. wheat and
ats We need alfalfa because it pro-
uces on an average double the feed
aiue per acre Of clover or any other
orage crop.
Advisable to inocuiate.
In regions where alfalfa has not
cen grown 1T is found to be neces-
ary to inoculate the ground by sow
g three or four bags Of soil secured
ON field where alfalfa or sweet
over has been grown for a num-
Dr. OF years; or where 1t is more
'nvenient, artificial culture, such as
litragin." "farmogerm." ETC.. may be
'piied. Where alfalfa has not been
own before 1t may make the differ
ice between success and failure
Alfalfa EssentIals.
A we'll prepared, firm, solid seed
d, plenty Of good barnyard manure,
"a failow to kill the weeds, are most
lportant.
make 4 eeoinnine-etar Now.
Every farmer should try at least
small piece Of alfalfa and II he
es not succeed at first, try again
q Keep on trying until he does sue
% It Is worth the while. II the
'rk Is thoroughly done and at the :
oper time, you will most certainly
0ceeo IN securing good stand; II
. work IL half done and out OF ..
ason. you will just as certainly TAN. III