American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-03-19
ALFALFA ON DRY FARM
Answers to Questions PROFOUND
ed by Practical Farmers.
Success Attained In Production Of
Crops Depends Largely on Mans
Own Efforts-Prepare Soil to
Retain All Moisture.

I
By A. D. ELLISON. Superintendent of
Nephi Dry Farm Sub-Station.)
Is II profitable to grow alfalfa on a
dry farm? Is the expense of produc-
ing alfalfa on a dry farm less han on
the irrigated farm? What is the diff
ference, if any, in the yield Of alfalfa
on the dry farm and that on the irri-
gated farm? How is the soil moisture
content Of dry farm soils effected by
the growing of alfalfa? These are
some Of the questions which have
been asked by practical farmers of
today.
The success that a farmer attains In
the production of crops on his farm
depends largely on his own individual
efforts. 1t is hard for a farmer to pro
tect his crop after it shows signs Of
drouth, for water in the soil is the i'm
portant factor to the production of
dry farm crops. Therefore, it is the
duty of the farmer to study the con-
ditions which lead toward his success,
by preparing the soil for the purpose
of receiving and holding moisture.
Experiments from Akron, Colo,
made in 1911, shows the amount of
water required in the production of
three crops of alfalfa: First crop
from May 18th to July 18th. an aver
age of zoos pounds of water was used
in the production of one pound of dry
matter. Second crop from July 18th
to September 18th, an average of
1854 pounds of water was used in the
production of one pound of dry matter.
Third crop from September 18th to
October 22nd, an average Of $40
pounds of water was used in the pro-
duction of one pound of dry matter.
More water was used in the production
of one pound of dry matter during
July, August and September. due TO
the high rate of Transportation from
the alfalfa crop.
The cost of producing alfalfa hay
on the dry farm is less than on the ir
rigated farm. Cultivation is the i'm
portant factor on the dry farm. witt
irrigation the important factor on the
irrigated farm in the production of al
falfa. While the cost of irrigation II
entirely with the taxes on the water
the cost of cultivation is not elimi
mated from the irrigated farm. Thu
average yield of alfalfa on irrigated
land is approximately four 0 n pc
acre, while the average yield on tn
dry farm is approximately two ton
per acre. However, the Increases
yield of alfalfa on the irrigated land i
? sufi cient to pay the extra cost of pre-
duction.
The moisture content of dry farr
soils is greatly effected by the produC
. ton of alfalfa, due to the fact tina
alfalfa, which is a leguminous croI
uses up considerable moisture; nc
that all of the moisture is used direci
ly by the plants, but a good portion
lost by Transportation.
Experiments prove that the SO
moisture content is regulated, more o
d less, by planting alfalfa in rows an
d hills, because the area from which
5 plant has to draw moisture is increai
{ ed. the Transportation from the crop
/ decreased and the direct evaporatio
5 from the soil is decreased by cultivi
y ton during the early growing perioI
Il until the ground becomes shaded b
the plant. Growing alfalfa in row
and hills is far better than GROWN
e alfalfa broadcast on dry farms for ii
u purpose of seed production.