Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-12

oldte. InlS Is as IL should be, for
we can grow this wonderful legume
readily, once farmers grasp the I'M
DERIVING factors which mean success.
The Homestead was glad to see the
New England alfalfa club formed.
last July. The president, L. E. Mayo
of Massachusetts,, assures the editor
that plans are brewing for a red-hot
campaign in behalf of the crop. This
is scheduled to start early in De-
cember, when the alfalfa association
Will have a session in connection with
the annual winter meeting of the
State board of agriculture at Spring
field, Mass.
Under the plan or organization each
New England State has vice-presi-
dent who is TO direct the details of
alfalfa experience among farmers in
their respective districts. This is a
systematic way of going at the thing.
However, the New England organiza-
ton must expect to be active in pro-
viding information and inspiration.
There is great field of usefulness In
this connection. Meantime The Home
stead prints few alfalfa notes from
men who have not previously testi-
fed In these columns concerning al
falfa.
Three summers ago, Arthur w. Col
burn of Middlesex county, Mass, who
has a herd of 80 Holsteins, planted
one-fourth acre plot under the direc-
ton of the experiment station at Am
herst. 1t was the first planting to
be made in that section. The seed
was inoculated and sown in well-fer-
tilted land. Last summer Mr.. Col
burn cut three crops alfalfa at the
rate of three tons to the acre, as
against two tons of regular English
hay from adjacent land. He eonsld-
ers this demonstrated both a larger
yield and a better protein feed for
the cattle. AS result Mr.. Colburn
will go more heavily into alfalfa next
season. The Cameron farm in the
same section has already seeded three
acres. It is going into winter quar-
tiers in fine shape.
Experience of w. w. Battelle.
In June, 1910, l seeded small piece
of about one-fourth acre as an ex-
pertinent, putting on good dressing
of stable manure, also a few ashes,
and 200 pounds alfalfa soil. This re-
suited in a stand of one-third alfaifa
and two-thirds weeds, mostly pig
weed. I plowed this all in, and put
on half as much lime again, also
about 800 pounds of a seeding down
fertilizer strong in potash. seed
ed again in August, with the re-
suit of a good stand which started
up fairly we'll the following spring,
but still showed signs of being weedy;
some grass started also. After cut
ting one crop, which was fairly gooo'
l plowed again and seeded in Au-
INST. without any additional fertillz-
er. with the result of good stand.
eut two crops in 1912 and three
in 1913. No fertilizer of any kind has
heen applied since the first cutting In
1912. after which 1 top-dressed lightly
with manure. The yield mas ueeh
good. this year. I find that alfai1a
is coming up in patches all over inc
farm where l have used manure from
stock fed on alfalfa, ana peLeFe
when seeding down that 1t wouio pe
n good practice to mix in little anai-
ia seed, as / find where nave ooIie
This II has come up quite frequently.
IT seems to me this would be soou
wav to gain innoculation OF the SOIL
nelieve that by seeding in August,
onnI1,inr lime at the rate of ton
or more TO the acre Cor perhaps STAG
WOULD be better), plenty OF potash on
land which is well drained ana not
of q clay bottom, alfalfa can De grown
with very little trouble. o1 course
conditions vary in different locahties'
and would necessarily have 10 oe
treated accordingly.
Alfalfa has appropriately been ca,l-
oa the miracle, crop. 1t can surely
he called a miracle, If farmers wiz
do the necessary things. The cues
a., is what are these? Use hrne'
,noculate the seed or grouno wiz,
- ,,orrow YOUR land properly, SEED
early in August. Don't use
crop. nor SOW on lana 1ha'
laval Avoid hollows where water am
ice settle and use hardy SEED n'
farmers are holding back from ~
inc alfalfa, because the manure ~
;s low find it can be grown wl.hous
-.oh1a manure. says Mr.. Prescott 0.
aEassachusetts. have five di1efeh'
-1ats Growing beautifully Win no
manure on any Of them.
am glad to see the interest iaflle'
oro taking in alfalfa. When the new
Tngland alfalfa club was organized
lost July. there were $50 interested
20 :. T,ners who gathered. Five years ago
not a dozen would have attended such
q meeting. This change has peeh
brought about by the success OF 1e"
nen who have persisted in growing the
crop in spite of seeming obstacles
They have made it plain to all there
4, no great secret concerning the crop
Rev. C. L. Hutchins was the hrst 10
grow 1t successfully here In Concord,
and has had one lot cutting for eight
or nine years. 1t has passed successful
~ through the various winters. Altai-
a IS an excellent crop for dairy farm
RS to as a green feed. Less grain
used and the animals are very fond
f 1t.
Concerning fertilizer. the following
ormula is recommended: Twelve hum
fred pounds basic Stag, $50 pounds
ulphate potash. 100 pounds nitrate So
ia, three tons lime. This is for an area
of one acre. I recommend 20 pounds
eed to the acre. On certain soils three
TONS lime seems excessive. especially
where 1900 pounds Stag is used. Again
v,ost soils need more than 100 pounds