The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1913-10-10
Alfalfa Should be Grown
ON Every Farm
l. 1t is a profitable crop.
2. Increases farm values.
;. Excels every other crop
In yield per acre
In feeding value
As q dr0uth resister
As q soil enricher.
4. No harder to grow'than clover.
5. Make beginning-star now
crow some alfalfa.

| repeated experiments made by the
agricultural colleges, and the results
obtained by the actual growers of al
falfa In the semtarid sections of the
west, in many parts Of the Pacific
northwest, throughout the corn belt
states, and in the south and east, are
onclusive"evtdence 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, ard it is certain that
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 a stand.
Alfalfa will soon be grown abun-
dainty and profitably upon every
farm. 1t is no more difacult to grow
than clover and gives double the
yield. The deep roofing habit of al
falfa enables it to resist drouth when
clover. timothy, blue grass and other
forage gra ,ses die for want of mois-
ture. Alfallfa roots grow deep into
the soil-sar beyond the roots of 9th
err plants.
Its dro'Ith resisting power is of no
greater importance than its 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
er crops grown upon alfalfa sod
Alfalfa Is rich In protein, the most
essential element in feed to make
bone, blood and muscle in growing
animals.
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-
fi because L. balances up the corn
ration and S.ves the large waste of
starch which always takes place
where corn is fed alone. We need
alfalfa becau se we can by means of
It grow on o ur own farms the pro tein
more, profftsa oily than we can buy it in
ICED stuffs. We need alfalfa because
t feeds the, soil and enables us to
grow larger crops of corn, wheat and
'ats. We eed alfalfa because it pro-
iuces on al | average double the feed
'alue per ~ IRE of clover or an y other
orase crop.
Advl Nude to Inoeuiate.
In resior g, where alfalfa has not
cen grown 1t 10 found to be neces-
airy to inoc ulate the ground by SOW.
ne three o. four bags of soil secured
rom fiea where alfalfa or sweet
lover has been grown for num-
er Of ya trs; or whore 1t is more
onvenfenf artificial culture. such as
nitragin,. "farmogerm." ETC.. may be
pplied. Where alfalfa haas not been
rown ben IRE it may make the difIer
nee bvtws en- success and failure.
.aNaka Essentials.
A Well prepared. firm, aolid seed
ID. plenty of good barnyart' manure.
Id fallow % kin the weeds.-are most
1portant.
Make ssoinn'ne-s&art siaow.
Every far nsr should try at least
small piec of alfalfa and II he
es not SUI "a sed at first, try again
keep on b. wing until he does sue
3D. 1t IL 10 nth the while. II the
TX IA thor, Ns .hly done and at the
per time, yoR , will most certainly
'ceed In Sc sun ing a good stand; II
work is hal done and out of
son, you " III Il ,st as certainly fail.
Re begin miss start now.