Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1914-05-06
How TO Secure q Successful Stand Of
Alfalfa,

A1falfa-
BY Frank E. Balmer, District Supervis-
or Of County Agents in West Cen
|. Believe you can grow alfalfa
2. Select fertile, well drained land,
not subject to overflow.
bly, following cultivated crop, as corn
or potatoes.
T.; Apply at least 10 loads Of 1ne.
preferably we'll rotted. barnyard ma
top dressing after blowing. Work
into the soil with a disc in either
5. Prepare a deep seed bed plow1ne
weeks before seeding, the alfalfa
s. Make the seed bed firm by first
using the spike tooth harrow at least
once a week or after every rain for
six Of more weeks before. seeding:
consult your County Agent ana have
testing. If the soil needs an applica-
ton of lime: apply it in form Of burned
sugar s refuse refuse lime, if soil is acid: Usu-
ally two tons to the acre is sufficient
Sandy soils especially may need lime;
the Heavy soils Of Minnesota are usu-
8. Supply the alfalfa bacteria by
sowing not less than 200 pounds Of soil
from an old alfalfa field, or sweet clio.
yer yer patch before os seeding a1 fa if
alfalfa or sweet clover previously. The
soil should be worked in by using a
harrow Immediately following the SOW
ing of it, and it should preferably be
applied on a cloudy day or in the eve
ming. AS sunlight quickly destroys the
germ life applied in the. soil. Liquid
culture may be secured free from the
Government for seed incubation. BY
applying to your County Agent he will
assist you in securing these cultures
and in making the incubation whether
alfalfa bacteria is not always necessary
but it is the safer procedure to follow
in seeding a field to alfalfa that has
not previously grown the crop.
the best practice. for a beginner. Two
or three pecks Of barley to the acre is
the best nurse crop: is one is used;
10 Sow ~ to Is Of
grain drill having seeder. attachment
| or with cyclone or wheel barrow seed
er. A light narrowing should follow
IL. In heavy soil plant the alfalfa
a half inch to an inch deep: in light
soils plant half inch deeper. Gener.
ally, the seed .: shon !l; be deep enough
| II. Use northern grown, hardy al.
falfa seed, free from weeds, and pref.
erably from old fields.
| ID. Seeu the aIalIa between May
first and August first. Seeding in ear
ly May is not advisable unless a nurse
| crop is used. The most successful
| growers prefer to sow during June ant
July. Securing good stands as late a:
August first depends on soil moisture
| conditions. Frequent and thorough
narrowing Of the land until the early
part Of July produces very favorable
conditions for seeding, as the tillagt
| operations conserve moisture, destroy
weeds. secure a firm seed bed. ani
| make plant food available. The bes
| time to SOW will vary somewhat will
the season. due to variable rainfall
but the soil conditions should be fav
orable before seeding, especially shoult
there be sufficient moisture in the sol
and rapid growth of the alfalfa. JUS
after 2 good rain is the best time tt
| seed.
IA: Clip weeds to inches high a.
frequently as pecessary. When young
! alfalfa should not be cut too close ant
no cutting should be done after Septem
| Der LIST to 18th.
IS. Plant again on the same land II
| your first seeding fails, but aim to fol
low the best practice so your first seed
| ing is a success.
16. Write for Agricultural Extension
Bulletin No. 40, on Alfalfa CROWNS
| in Minnesota" and read it.
Approved: A. c.. Army, Assistant Agri
culturist, Division of Agronomy ant
Farm Management, Minnesota Expert
ment Station.