The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1913-10-09

| grow SUAllC dl4dl1ds
Repeated experiments made by the
agricuIsXal colleges, and the results
obtaiAo M the actual growers of al
falfS 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 it is certain that
there will be an equally rapid in
crease throughout the eastern and
i 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
it 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.
Its 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 anil
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
the 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 neeo
alfalfa because we can by means or II
I grow on our own farms the protein
more profitably than we can buy it II
feed stuffs. We need alfalfa because
it feeds the soil and enables US u
grow larger crops Of corn and oats
We need alfalfa because it produces
on an average double the feed value
, ner acre of clover or any other foragt
crop.
Advisable to inoculate.
Tn regions where alfalfa has no
been grown it is found to be neces
sarv to inoculate the ground by SOW
. ing three or four bags Of soil secured
q from a field where alfalfa or swee
8 clover has been grown Tor
I number of years; or where !
! is more convenient, artificial GU
: ture. such as "nitragin, farmc
germ, 6LC., Audy w oppAAS~'
: alfalfa has not been grown before
y may make the difference between SUI
g cess and failure.
{. Alfalfa Essentials.
d A well prepared, firm, solid see
o. Ebed. plenty of good barnyard manure
and fallow to kill the weeds, are mos
important. Lime? Yes, one to tw
: loads per acre, ana by all means IL
oculate. Ground 100 wet for corn
II not suited for alfalfa.
Make a Besinning-start Now.
II Every farmer should try at leas
q small piece of alfalfa and II q
" does not succeed at first, TT
again and keep on trying until he doe
succeed. It is worth the while.
the work is thoroughly done and I
the proper time, you will most ,ce
III tainly succeed in securing a GOO
III stand: If the work is half done az
III out of season, you will just as ce
tainly fail Make beginning-sta
now.