Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1914-04-03

The poster was written by Professor
Geo. Severance and embody the es-
sential principles to be followed in
growing these crops as follows:
Alfalfa Without Irrigation
The queen of agriculture plants
one of the very best dry land crops
one of the greatst soil improving
crops, and one one of the richest
feed crops.
l. Secure high grade seed, dry
land seed if available, but pure seed
of high vitality in any event. If in
doubt send sample to the Depart
ment of Botany, State College, Pull
man, Washington, for examination,
before purchasing.
2. Do not attempt to seed in soils
that need undertakings
8. In localities with less than
eighteen inches of rainfall, seed on
well prepared summer-fallow. When
the rainfall exceeds eighteen inches,
pillow deep in the fall and leave
rough. Next best, plow as early as
possible in the spring, narrowing at
once
Harrow fall-plowed land as early
as possible in the spring to hold
moisture and prevent crusting and
baking. Work either fallow or spring
plowed land four to six weeks before
seeding to clear out weeds, warm
ment of available plant food, thus
providing conditions for a quick,
vigorous start of alfalfa.
4. If alfalfa has never been grown
in the locality, inoculate the soil by
scattering and narrowing about one
hundred pounds per acre of soil
transported from an old alfalfa field,
or inoculate seed with pure culture.
This may be secured with directions
for use from the Bureau of Plant In
dustry, Washington, d. c.
5. Seed during May earlier, If
on summer-fallow in semi-arid reg
ion). Seed with a drill, set to run
shallow, six to eight pounds per acre,
stopping, up two-thirds of holes seed
ing in semi-arid regions.
2 6. Seed without nurse crop. Elk
cellent stands have been secured
| with a nurse crop, but results are too
: uncertain.
I Z. Do not practice clipping young
alfalfa If weeds are bad, NOW with
: cutter bar set high. Do not pasture
until alfalfa has become well estab
lished
g. Cultivate each spring as soor
! as the soil is fit to work, using tool
best adapted to local soils. If seeded
in rows in semiarid region faI
! enough apart to admit cultivator
cultivate whenever weeds or the sol
condition would justify the cultiva
ton of any titled crop.
8. Danger of bloat in pasturine
may be reduced (a) by seeding orch
ard grass with the alfalfa; (b) never
changing suddenly to alfalfa from
onto alfalfa when stock has beer
given full feed, keeping stock on al
falfa constantly after first turning
them in; (d) by providing some dry
hay or other supplementary feed.
10. Keep stock off the alfalfa dur
ing the winter
IL. Do not pasture too late in The
fall or too early in the spring nor TOT
close at any time. Give the alfalfi
chance to breathe.
Write to the State College for Elk
tension Bulletin No. l on "Growini
Alfalfa"
Grow Red Glover.
Well adapted to Washington wher'
annual rainfall is twenty inches o
more.
l. Better adapted to short rots
ton than alfalfa.
D 2. Enriches the soil; adds humus
3. Yields large first cutting an
fair second cutting.
- 4. Is rich in protein - hence
splendid crop for balance ration.
It's introduction on the moiste
wheat lands means more live stool
richer soil, heavier yields Of graiI
o less waste lands, more and bette
= farm homes.
II How to Grow Red Glover.
1. Pillow deep in the fall. Leav
the ground rough to increase moi
ture. Allow it to weather and settl'
10 2. Harrow fall plowed ground a
early in the spring as possible to saw
moisture and prevent crusting {
baking
3. For next four or five weeh
work soil to preserve mulch and kee
y down weeds. Avoid deep cultivation
4. Prepare fine seed-bed wit
very shallow, mellow surface.
8. Secure clean seed of high v
tally If in doubt send samples
Pullman, for free test.
G. Sow the seed in May. See
with drill set to seed shallow. So
six pounds to the acre.
T. Do not SOW with a nurse GRO
- Good stands have been secured wit
nurse crop, but results are uncertai
s. Do not practice clipping nj
pasturing till the clover is well esta
lished. If weeds are bad, NOW wit
cutter bar set high.