The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1914-01-22

BY j. C. HAMEY, Agricultural! Exten-
sion Department.
international Harvester Co.. OF New
Jersey.
There is little doubt that for the
Dakotas and Minnesota, alfalfa should
be seeded in the spring. Under favor
able moisture conditions in South Da-
kota and southern Minnesota alfalfa
might be successfully seeded after
winter rye or wheat, though not with
out considerable risk from dry wealth
er and early frast.
The cost of alfalfa seed, and the i'm
portance of securing a good, strong
growth the first year, warrant giving
it full possession of the soil for the
entire season. Sharp frosts may in
jure or even kill young alfalfa, hence
it is advisable not to seed until such
danger is past.
In case the land is known to be rath-
er foul, it should be double-disked
early, and all Weeds kept down by
narrowing or dittas uutii the middle
of June Or ever ter. tbs overcomes
the weeds and puts the soil in good
shape. There is danger, however, in
seeding later than July 1st, that dry
weather will damage the alfalfa.
Amount and Method of Seeding.
There are more alfalfa seeds in one
pound than there are plants on the
average acre OF alfalfa that is three
years old. This indicates that it is
not a question of pounds of seed, but
of securing good seed, and providing
conditions that will make the seed
grow to strong, vigorous plants.
Only good, strong, acclimated seed
should be sown-Grimm alfalfa holds
first place as to hardness, and Mon
tana grown seed seems to give sat
isfaction in nearly every instance.
There is undoubtedly a great differ
ence in seed, though perhaps not SO
much as some advertisements would
should be consulted as to kind and
source of seed, and samples submitted
to them for purity and germinat4eu
tests.
In the dryer sections on a properly
prepared seed bed, five pounds oi seed
per acre sown with a grain drill isls
given an ample stand. Eight to twotye
pounds is usually recommended FOR
average conditions if the seed is d
ed in; if sown broadcast, cne,5la.
o seed should be sown. Ii q grs
seeder- is not available to use On
drill, the seed should be mixed
some other fine material to give
bulk and prevent leaking and drilling
too thick.
Owing to variations in drills, a nt1
ured quantity of the mixture sh1ei
put in the drill and the area of iaflfs
seeded by this amount liote2, sc
to be certain that tie proper aniay
of seed is being put on. Fine sea
ed sawdust, brali, cornmeal, or ~
ed millet may be used. 1neculaEef
is used when dried in the SHADE
is rather hard on the drill. Two VA
Of bran to Y Of seed, With drill
at one-half bushel of wheat pc.
should seed about the right anseul
Alfalfa seed should not re plpn
very deep-the depth depending sci
what on the soil. If the seed itpffs
in proper condition. sufficiently
and moist. one incl should De
enough. The seed bed should !
solid that the drill wheels do not S
in more than an inch. which viii
NIT Of regulating the depth cf
disks accurately. The seed shoala
be sown unless the moisture in u
is within one in@h OF tl.e saF
is q waste OF sect ana w
in a dry soil. Press Wiieais I
the soil on the seed in the 5rt...s
very important.