The Springdale news., 1915-11-12
EAt Fh
By Earl Fitzpatrick. Extension Agrono-
 mist University of Arkansas.

By Earl hlip3tfiCk. f&teBSioH Asioh
 mist University of Arkansas.
 Alfalfa is one of the best hay and 1 pasture crops grown in this country Farmers who have il growing sue cessfully declare that il is the most 1 profitable le@erop on the farm. Many | failures have been made in alfalfa l growing due 10 the lack of knowledge | Of soil conditions and poor methods ot | seeding. In many parts of Arkansas l alfalfa is becoming an important crop. l
 4 deep, loamy soil should be SC lected. because alfalfa roots go down to a great depth. and Q hardpan or an mpervious subsoil is objectionable. X loose. gravelly or sandy subsoil may cause the soil to dry too quick ly It is mistake to try to get al falfa on thin, poor soil. i few loads of harnNard manure or a crop of peas turned under will turn failure into success Good drainage is necessary for successful alfalfa growing, be cause alfalfa roots cannot stand an excessive amount of water Ii the water level comes up closer than three feet of The surface, alfalfa can seldom be grown with profit.
 The washing and teaching due to Ehe excessive rains during the winter and spring months cause about go per cent Of our soils 10 be deficient ii ime Alfalfa requires large amount 5f this clement The shortage in lime
 3 " .ons of ground limestone to the acre. Alfalfa seeds are small and the young plants are tender If seeding is done on loose. cloddy seed bed. failure IS apt 10 result. The first season the young plants have much competition eith crab grass. fextail and other Weeds. II the field is cultivated and kept clean for some months before seeding. most of these weeds will be zilled out It is mistake to SOW al falfa on poorly prepared soil.
 Inoculation is essential ii growing alfalfa Soil is said to be inoeulated for alfalfa when it contains the bac- eria which have the ability to gather tree nitrogen from the air and store t in the nodules on the roots Of al falfa. If these bacteria are not al ready in the soil they must be intro duced from an outside source. The most certain way to inocuiate is to bring inoculated soil from field which has previously grown alfalfa ar sweet clover. Apply such soil al he rate of about 900 pounds per acre and disk CT harrow it in immediately. IL will not be safe 10 leave Il on the surface for any length of time, be cause direct sunlight will kill germs very quickly If soil from an inocu- lated field is not available. or if that method is too expensive, artificial in oculation material in the form of pure culture can he secured free of charge from the United States De partment of Agriculture. Where here are county agents the applica- ion should De made through them; otherwise write directly to the United States Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. c.
 Seeding in September is generally preferred If the seeding is done that season the plants have chance to get well established before winter sets in, and in the spring they will be strong enough to get ahead of the weeds Twenty pounds of seed to the acre is the usual rate in Arkansas. A 1 wheelbarrow or cyclone seeder will usually distribute the seed more even f neither of these machines can be had, broadcasting is satisfactory, fl done carefully. This method calls for about five pounds more of seed than machine seeding.
 During the first season 1t may be necessary to clip the weeds couple of times to keep them from seeding. If the weeds are not bad. considerable alfalfa may be secured the first sea son. Tn no case should any weeds be allowed to go to seed The cutting of alfalfa should always be done when the new shoots are just starting from the crown. This is usually when the plants are about one-tenth in bloom. If the cutting is done later, many of the shoots will be cut off, and they will be slow to recover. If the plants are cut before the shoots start at all, .hc next crop wi.l be set back. II is not a good idea to cut alfalfa so late in the fall that small growth can not be made before frost
 Since alfalfa takes much mineral water from the soil in its growth, it is
 ..,,;aa to Laan a fold ip olfalfa oyor