The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1913-09-09
Redwood County
q. .'th Writes Of
Al,alfd Raising
Successful Grower of Fodder in Min
nesota and Illinois Gives Many
Helpful Tips
Much Depends Upon Preparation Of
Soil, Time Of Sowing and
Protecting Roots
The Following Article Written by Eli
mer G. Bruer by Request Of
The Gazette u

Although there is but small a.
mount Of alfalfa grown in our county
at present, there is no reason why we
cannot grow it successfully as it is
crop of wide adaptability, having been
found flourishing as far north as six
ty-eight degrees north latitude.
In regard to the permanence of al
falfa, it is claimed there are fields in
Mexico which without reseeding have
continued to produce for over two
hundred years, while in France there
are fields known to be over century
old. In our own country, in New
York state, there are productive fields
of sixty years standing. so
Alfalfa, being rapid grower, pro-
duces a crop quite frequently in q
season. The average annual yield per
acre is from three to six tons Of dry
hay. ! know it to be fact that it is
nothing extraordinary to find field
producing six tons per acre, while in
California, where something approach
ing maximum is secured by irriga-
ton, as many as twelve tons Of dry
hay to the acre have been harvested.
In getting growth started in the
soil in our country, the most essential
object is to have the soil well PEE
pared, on well-drained land of not too
high per cent Of acicity, and to use
northern grown seed Of hardy var
iety. It is also well to leave good
growth on the ground in the fall to
help protect it through the winter. It
is well to cut alfalfa when you notice
the starting of the basal shoots which
are to form the growth of the new
crop.
In a conversation with breeder of
high-class draft horses, he told me he
regarded alfalfa as one of his best
feeds, and having had considerable
experience feeding the same to dairy
cattle, assure you that nothing too
extravagant can be said Of alfalfa hay
as a milk and butterfat producer,
while it is a well known fact that
feeders Of fattening cattle are becom-
ing very enthusiastic about this Won
derful roughage Of high per cent pro-
tein content, as in feeding value, a
ton of alfalfa hay equals ton of
wheat bran, providing the hay is cured
properly.
Ex-Governor Hoard Of Wisconsin
stated that alfalfa was the only feed
he wintered his brood sows on, it be-
ing his opinion that it made his hogs
more vigorous.
There is wide variety. of opinion
in regard to time Of seeding. Person
allyI prefer the later part Of June, as
that gives us an opportunity TO des-
troy the weeds to considerable ex-
tent and also gives the alfalfa plants
q good growth before the ground
freezes. The plants which / recent
ly sent The Gazette were from our
spring seeding which we sowed broad
cast about a week after drilling the
wheat thin as nurse crop. This
was sown at the time we did the rest
Of our wheat seeding. Although we
have an excellent stand which is MAX
| mig a wonderful growth, do not re-
commend this method as / believe the
latter part Of June to be the best time.
One Of the best fields have yet
seen in Redwood county is the one be-
longing to Ed. Wells, the dairy farmer
living q short distance west Of the
county home The Redwood Holstein
Farm at Wabasso alsb has field that
was sown a year ago that is doing
splendidly and understand Douglas
Allan, near Gilfllan, sowed a large
field this summer; there are many
other patches Of varying sizes scat
tered throughout the county.
Alfalfa, silos, Holstein and other
kinds Of live stock, are rapidly bring
ingthe farmers Of our county to the
front rank as agriculturists. Try
alfalfa next year and keep at it until
/ you make success Of it and you will
never regret that you became an alfal-
ia convert.