Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-10-25

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, 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
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 prof1tably 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
=
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
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 need
alfalfa because we can by means of it
grow on our own farms the protein
more profitably than we cam buy it in
feed stuffs. We need alfalfa because
it feeds the soil and enables us to
grow larger crops of corn and oats.
We need alfalfa because it produces
on an average double the feed value
per acre of clover or any other forage
crop.
Advisable to lnoculate.
In regions where alfalfa has not
been grown 1t is found to be neces-
sary to inoculate the ground by SOW
ing three or four bags of soil secured
from a field where alfalfa or sweet
clover has been grown for .
number of years; or where 1t
is more convenient, artificial cul
ture, such as "nitragin," "farmo-
germ" etc, may be applied Where
alfalfa has not been grown before 1t
may make the difference between sue
cess and failure.
Alfalfa Essentials.
A well prepared. firm, solid seed
bed, plenty of good barnyard manure,
and fallow to kill the weeds, are NEST
important Lime? Yes, one to two
loads per acre. and by all means i'm
oculate. Ground too wet for corn In
not suited for alfalfa
Make a Beginning-Start Now.
Every farmer should try at least
q small piece of alfalfa and If he
does not succeed at first, try
again and keep on trying until he does
succeed. 1t is worth the while IL
the work is thoroughly done and at
the proper time, you win most GER
tainly succeed in securing a good
stand; IL the work Is half done and
out of season, you viii just as Ger
tainly fail Make a beginning start
now.