Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1913-08-27
Alfalfa Should be Grown
ON Every Farm
|. 1t is a profitable crop.
z. Increases farm valSes.
3. Excels every other crop
In yield per acre
In feeding value
As q drouth resister
AS q soil enricher.
4. No harder to grow than clover.
5. Make beginning-start now
grow some alfalfa.

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 he an equally rapid I'M
crease throughout the eastern and
southern parts Of the United States.
Mauy 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, il any, more
trouble il securing stand.
Alfalfa will soon be grown sbun-
dantly and proftably upon every farm
It 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
falia roots grow deep into the soil
far beyond the roots Of other plants. .
It's drouth resisting power is of MOI
greater Importance than It's great
value as a soil enricher. The longf
roots bring phosphorus, potash andE
other plant foods from below and
store them in the upper soil for the
use Of other plants. Experiments show
greatly increased yields Of other crops
grown upon s.lfalfa sod.
Alfalfa is lich 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,I
as corn and alfalfa. Neither will give!
the best results alone. We need alfai'i
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 III
grow on our own farms the protein;
more proftably than we can 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 On average double the feed value
per acre of clover or any other forage
crop. :
Advisable to lnocuiate.
In regions where alfalfa has not
been grown it 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 a.
number of years; or where it.
is more convenient, artificial cul-
ture, such as "nitragin." "farmo-
germ" etc., may be applied. Whera
alfalfa has not been grown before it
may make the difference between sue
cess and failure.
Alfalfa Essentials.
A well prepared, firm. solid seed
bed, plenty Of good harnyard manure.
and fallow to kill the weeds; are most
important. Lime? Yes, one to two
loads per acre, and by all means In
oculate. Ground too wet for corn is
not suited for alfalfa. !.
Make a RegInnins-start Now.
Every farmer should try at least
a small piece Of alfalfa and If he.
does not succeed at first, try
again and keep on trying until he does
succeed. It is worth the while. II,
the work is thoroughly done and at
the proper time, you will most GER
,tainly succeed in securing good
stand; If the work is half done and
out of season, you will just as GER
tainly fail. Make beginning-start
now.