Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-04-03

per acre, OF the different forage and
grain crops, few words on alfalfa
might not be amiss, as this crop is be-
ing boosted by SO many people that its
cultivation is becoming fad.
II conditions are right, alfalfa stands
at the head OF the list of forage plants.
After reading the requirements Of this
plant, the reader can determine how
profitable alfalfa may be on his land.
First deep, rich. well drained loan,
with alkaline reaction. Second,-A
long, warm growing season. Third
An abundance of moisture at the right
time.
The tap root of the alfalfa plant
should meet with no obstruction within
30 to 40 feet Of the surface. When
this root is checked in its downward
course the plant ceases to grow.
All grain land is liable to have an
excess OF acid in the soil. This is true
also, Of swampy land. This condition
can be determined by stirring samples
Of soil in a pail of water, and testing
the mixture with litmus paper. This
paper can ce obtained at any drug
store, and the druggist will explain its
nature. If the land is acid alfalfa will
not be profitable. The remedy is lime:
ton or more to the acre. Lime is not
fertilizer, but it neutralizes the acid in
the soil, and dissolves and renders
available for plant food, the mineral
contained in the soil.
Alfalfa will not terminate or grow at
temperature below As degrees Faren-
heit. With sufficient heat and mois-
ture, alfalfa will mature crop Of hay
every six weeks. It is best for the
moisture to be abundant at the begin
ming OF this six weeks and gradually
decline toward the end of this period
This condition can be met only by
irrigation.
It requires nine months to grow six
crops Of alfalfa hay, which should yield
to 10 tons per acre. 1t is this contin-
uous growth throughout period OF
months that makes alfalfa so pro,
ductiye.
A supply Of moisture can not be al
ones demand except in an irrigated
district, and that is why alfalfa has &C
quired such reputation throughout
the semi-arid regions.
It is true alfalfa will live through 6
drought to which other forage plants
will succumb. but live is about all il
will do.
/ Alfalfa requires careful treatment
during the first season, and if YOU
land bakes and dries to any consider
able depth during July and August
the young plants will perish.
The analysis of grains or plants /.
usually given uadcr four heads: Indi
gestible or dry matter; Protein or bone
and tissue material: Carbon hydrates
coal and water, or heat and energy
producers; fat.
The benefit your animal receive.
from his food depends upon the effici
ency OF his digestive apparatus. Tht
advantage OF a we'll balanced ration i.
that it has tendency to tone up thu
digestive organs and keep them il
good working order.
For the purpose Of comparison, VIZ
will take the following as average
yields per acre: Corn $500 pounds
wheat 1900 pounds; oats 1000 pounds
barley 5000 pounds; alfalfa hay 2OOt
pounds; soy bean hay 5000 pounds; pei
hay 1000 pounds; Irish potatoes 900t
pounds; turnips 25,OO0 pounds; carrot.
40, 600 pounds; red clover hay 5000.
Comparison Of one acre Of each O
the above:
lbs dry lbs. lbs carbo ID.
Crop. matter. protein. hydrates. fat
Corn 227O 200 1850 74(
Wheat 1910 1874 1245 81
Oats 1880 1876 966 81
| Rarlev 2573 go 1914 AZ