The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1914-04-09
ALFALFA ON DRY FARM
Answers to Questions PROFOUND
ed by Practical Farmers.
Success Attained In Production Of
Crops Depends Largely on Mans
Own Etforts-Prepsre Soil TO
Retain All Moisture.

CBy \ u, ELLISON. Superintendent ot
Nephl Dry Farm Sub-StatiouD
Is II profitable to grow alfalfa on a
dry farm? Is the expense OF produc-
ing alfalfa on dry farm less than on
the irrigated farm What is the dif.
ference. II any, in the yield OF alfalfs
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 farmer attains in
the production OF crops on his farm.
depends largely on his own individual
efforts. II is hard for a farmer to pro-
tect his crop after Il shows signs OF
drouth. for water in the soil is the inn
portant factor to the production OF
dry farm crops. Therefore. 1t 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 l.00S 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-
ductlon 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 Inn
portant factor on the dry farm. with
irrigation the important factor on the
irrigated farm in the production OF al
falfa. While the cost OF irrigation Is
entirely with the taxes on the water.
the cost OF cultivation Is not elimI-
mated from the irrigated farm. The
average yield OF alfalfa on irrigated
land is approximately four tons per
acre. while the average yield on the
dry farm is approximately two tons
per acre. However. the increased
yield OF alfalfa on the irrigated land IL
= sufficient to pay the extra cost OF pro
duction
The moisture content OF dry farm
soils Is greatly effected by the produc
tion OF alfalfa, due TO the fact thai
: alfalfa, which Is a legumInous crop
uses up considerable moisture: no
that all OF the moisture is used direct
ly by the plants. but good portion II
lost by Transportation.
Experiments prove that the sol
J moisture content Is regulated. more o.
: less. by planting alfalfa in rows ant
hills, because the area from which {
plant has to draw moisture is increas
ed, the Transportation from the crop Il
decreased and the direct evaporation
from the soil is decreased by cultivs
tion during the early growing period
until the ground becomes shaded b.
the plant Growing alfalfa In row
and hills Is far better than growinl
j alfalfa broadcast on dry farms for tn
purpose OF seed production.