Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1913-09-19
ALFALFATRA|N READY
GENERAL GROWING OF THIS CROP
IN NORTHWEST TO BE EN-.
COURAGED By LECTURES.
l4O STOPS DURING 40 DAY CAMPAIGN
This Campaign, Led by Prof. Holden,
to Be One Of Most Extensive Agri-
cultural improvements Ever
Conducted In the U. s.

With q view Of encouraging the
more general growing of alfalfa in the
Inland Empire, the farmers. in CO.
operation with five great railroads, the
.gricultural colleges and the federated
clubs and Oranges will run
q special alfalfa train through this ter
'itory. beginning September "a. 1918,
at Spokane, Washington.
Prof. P. G. Holden, director of the
agricultural extension department of
the International Harvester company,
with competent staff Of lecturers,
has been invited to take part in the
campaign. The special train will cover
region in Washington, Idaho and
Oregon of nearly 225 miles from north
to south and over 1876 miles from east
to west; lao stops will be made during
the forty-day campaign of 5000 miles
over the various lines Of the cooperat-
ing railroads.
During the campaign nearly 700 lee
lures will be delivered to the farmers
and the people at the various railroad
points and out in the country upon the
farms, where from to meetings
have been organized.
The speakers will advocate the more
general growing of alfalfa. 1t is the
purpose to emphasize a better system
of farming by introducing into the
farm practice of the Inland Empire
alfalfa as a rotation crop. In this
great movement the cooperating agen-
cies who are working with the farmers
and the agricultural colleges, hope to
reach not less than $4,000 farmers
within the period of the campaign.
Three Great Features.
There are three great features con-
nected with the campaign:
LIST. An introduction of a compare
lively new crop into the Pacific North
west.
End. The very effective method of
carrying the gospel direct to the homes
Of the farmers where meetings will be
held and success and failure discussed
according to local conditions.
3rd. The use of the automobile as a
means of conveyance.
Working with Prof Holden and his
staff will be representatives from the
following railroads: Union Pacific,
Northern Pacific, O.-W. r. & NJ, Idaho
& Washington Northern, Great North
ern and the North Yakima Valley rail-
road.
Two hundred newspaper editors in
the Inland Empire have been invited
to cooperate and assist in arousing in
terest in the campaign. 1t is consid-
cred by those active in agricultural
development in the Pacific Northwest
and by Prof. Holden himself that this
is one of the most extensive campaigns
for the improvement Of agriculture
ever conducted in the United States.
Alfalfa Can Be Success.
Agricultural scientists, who have
made study Of the conditions in this
country. are ofothe opinion that alfalfa
can be successfully grown throughout
the dry land areas. Alfalfa greatly
improves the fertility and mechanical
condition Of the soil. There is no croI
that can be grown in the Inland EN-
pire that will do more to improve the
agricultural conditions Of Washington
Idaho and Oregon. Numerous expert
ments conducted by the colleges, q,
well as the experiences of the farmers
themselves, prove the adaptability O
this great crop to the soils and climate
of the Northwest. The yields tina
have been reported are from four Il
six tons per acre per year. 1t is tn.
opinion Of the experts that continuou
cropping Of wheat from year to yea
will ultimately exhaust the soil of It
fertility and 1t il necessary that SOM
laguminous crop be placed in rotation
with wheat.
Several Crops Year.
Alfalfa will not only produce fron
three to four crops year Of the bes
hay, but will pay for the privilege b
adding to each acre Of land upon whic
1t grows approximately $3.50 worth Q