Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-08-15
A WARNING ABOUT ALFALFA


entering headlong into the culture oil
alfalfa without first learning the
methods of culture of the crop and
without realizing that great care is
necessary to secure good results, a
number of well known agriculturist
familiar with the growing of alfalfa
have given a word of warning in this
particular.
Among these is Mr.. J. F. Jackson,
agricultural agent of the Central o.
Georgia railroad, who on his visit to
Americas the other day said that a
heavy lining of the soil is absolutely
necessary to make alfalfa give good re-
suits. 1t is usually supposed that thu
lands in this section of Georgia are
unusually rich in lime, and probably
many farmers believe that there is u
sufficient lime in the soil for alfalfa
growing, but Mr.. Jackson warns them
against this. He recommends peas,
vetch, clover and other cover crops
that are harder and easier grown. In
this connection the Savannah News
also sounds the following warning:
1t was stated in our local columns
yesterday that number of farmers OF
this county had decided to make exper-
iments with alfalfa. In connection
with that statement we wish to call
their attention to the communicate
of Mr.. Gratz Dent in yesterdays Morn
ing News, for the reason that it would
be well for them to keep several things
which he points out in mind when they
begin their experiments.
If the experiments are made without
"a very thorough understanding OF
what is necessary to grow alfalfa sue
cessfully there is likely to be failure,
and failure would lead to the aband-
onment of it. If success is to be
achieved therefore it is important that
the needs of alfalfa should be under
stood and the directions of experts
should be closely followed not only in
the preparation of the land and the Sc
lection of the seed but in the harvest
ing of the crop.
We do not undertake to point out
what the needs are. That information
should be obtained from the bulletins
of the federal Department of Agricul.
ture, or those who have grown alfalfa
successfully in this state or other parts
of the South. According to Mr.. Dent
the planting of alfalfa should be pre-
ceded by a crop of cow-peas or otho.'
legume, and it is known that in this
section the land should be well drai l.
ed and treated with lime. There are
other things, however, that must be
done. The bulletins furnished by the
Department of Agriculture will give
all the necessary information in re
gard to them.
Mr.. Dent is thoroughly satisfied thc t
alfalfa can be made very profitable
crop in this section, and Col. OLeary.
an account of whose alfalfa patch that
appeared in the Morning News al
tracted so much attention, is so well
satisfied with his success that he is 60
ing 10 plant twenty-five acres IN alfai-
ia next season.
There is no reasonable doubt that
we can grow the plant profitably in
all of this section of this state. When
we do, we shall begin raising cattle OIL
Ia large scale We shall NOT only have
a new source of wealth but we shall
cease to depend upon the West for
fresh and other meats. We shall have
surplus of them to offer to markets
outside of this state.
Cotton, Corn and Cattle.