The midland journal., 1914-05-29
ALFALFA.
BY MISS GRACE RAWLINGS.

Alfalfa is fast becoming an important crop
in the United States. The Persians seem to
have been the first nation which grew alfalfa.
1t was next introduced into Italy and from
there carried to Spain; the Spaniards intro
duced it into Mexico and it was then taken to
San Francisco. from whence it has been ex-
tended over the whole United States Alfalfa
indicates from its wide distribution over the
world remarkable adaptability to various
climates and conditions, and under proper in
iuence 1t yields an abundant crop.
The rapidity with which alfalfa renews its
growth after each cutting, as we'll as its value
as feed, makes it an ideal forage plant for
all classes of stock. 1t is one of the most nu-
tritious and palatable Of feeds for all classes
of farm animals.
Alfalfa hay is pound for pound equal to
threshed oats or bran; and it pays better to
grow alfalfa than to buy wheat bran. Cows
require high protein foods, such as bran sup
plies, to produce profitable flows of milk, but
these are expensive and can, be replaced by
alfalfa. 1t also contains a large quantity of
lime. and all growing animals and dairy cows
need plenty of lime in their feed.
Alfalfa is the most drought resistant farm
crop grown and it will decay il the rain fall is
too heavy. 1t does more toward improving
the soil than any other farm crop, in two
ways, ID by roofing deepest; ~ by gathering
the most nitrogen.
Since alfalfa is valuable, great care should
be taken to obtain good seed. In selecting the
seed it is desirable to secure samples from
more than one source and test these as to
purity and terminating power before buying
The ways for home testing are, 10 by the mi.
koK kxryr ~ ,.l. 4.
placed blotting paper on which the seed are
laid; over this placed layer of blotting paper.
then the other plate is inverted over it.
There is very little old seed on the market,
due to the great demand for it, but it does
not injure it. If it is old, as tests show that
seeds from five to seven years old lose very
little OF their terminating power. The loss of
vitality in the seed is indicated by its turning
reddish brown.
The greatest care should be taken to obtain
seed free from dangerous weeds. It is advis-
able to order samples the winter before the
seed Is to be soWn. In the rush season it is
often impossible to getseed from the lot from
which the samples were taken; but some firms
will book orders from certain lots of seed sub
ject to satisfactory germanating and purity
tests.
Many start to grow alfalfa and for few
months they believe it to be successful, but
suddenly 1t dies out. This indicates that the
soil contains too much acid, and that lime
should be placed in the soil to neutralize it.
In the humid sections of the country it is
especially important to provide well drained
soil for alfalfa. In the Irrigated districts the
problem of drainage to prevent or reduce the
accumulation of alkali is very serious. In the
regions OF heavy rain fall. natural drainage
must be provided. 1t has been found that
alfalfa requires much more complete drainage
OF the soil than does other field crops. Where
the under drains are unable to carry of the
rainfall rapidly enough for prompt drainage,
II is some times the practice to back-furrow.
NO other forage crop requires so much lime
In the soil as does alfalfa. II ia annaraptlv
necessary that the acidity of the soil be neu-
tralized by the lime and that there be also an
excess for the actual use of the plant,
Throughout the East and South alfalfa is
most easily produced on lime stone soils. Even
these soils often require lining for the best
success Of the alfalfa. as the rains tend to
bring the lime out of the surface layers of the
soil. 1t may be easily assumed that il a soil
ever requires lining it will require It for al
falfa. It is best to apply the lime the season
previous to sowing the alfalfa, as this allows
time for the lime to become thoroughly in
corporated into the soil.
There are several different forms of lime on
the market. As a general rule it is best TO
buy that form which will mean the most
actual lime for money outlay. Under normal
conditions. ton of ordinary lime ia usually
applied to one acre.
Such plants as alfalfa, clover. peas and
beans are known as lime plants because they
cannot exist in soils deficient in this element
Lime, II it is good lime. helps the soil by
ID aiding the decay of the vegetable matter.
90 helping to liberate plant foods In the soil.
% fastening the growth Of bacteria in the
soil. Lime acts upon acids in soils and de-
stroys the sourness. 1t is direct plant food
for alfalfa.
Since we have spent so much money for
seed. line and drainage. we should now CON