The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1916-08-10
MEETS SUCCESS IN
GROWING ALFALFA

An experiment in alfalfa grow
ing that is proving SO successful
that it is attracting the attention
of considerable number of farmers
throughout the county is being con-
Quoted by Russell Cries on his
ranch on the Pc inder road south
| east of Lynden. Cries planted five
elgeths of an acre to alfalfa a year
ago. and this year he will harvest
more than five tons of hay.
So impressed are several farmers
with the success of the Cries meth
DDS that next Spring. there will be
number of similar experimental
patches planted on both riyer-bot-
tom and upland. The Importance 10
the district should the growing of
aira'fa permanently be established
cannot be overestimated, as it would
give the farmers hay crop for
dairy feed nearly doub e in value of
anything they now possess.
"As we came from a part of Cali
fornia where alfalfa was grown
quite extensively and grew on al
most any kind of soil and some
very poor soil. We thought that 1t
would grow here" said Mr.. Cries
today. 80 We planted four acres
three years ago this fall but it did
not do very well. We nut 400
pounds of ground limestone on a
small portion at one end of the
field and the alfalfa came out quite
well there.
"A year from the following
spring We owed the whole field
and put in barley and that fall we
plowed 1t again and put in rye and
vetch. There is still quite bunch
OF Alta ia growing where we put
the lime but on no other place.
from this it appears as though the
lime Is necessity for alta ia. We
also inocu1ated the seed.
"A year ago this spring we de-
;lded to try the a falfa again SO we
started to prepare a lite more
Than an acre near the barn. We
Ihanured it quite we'll and plowed
1t under and then some three weeks
oi so before time to plant we put
On ton of hydrated lime. This
cost us $1,000 for the ton.
This was disked we'll but not
piowed for the lime should be near
he surface. We tried some COM
non seed the first time SO this
Tine We sent east for some seed
lat had been tested and tried by
he Government apd to n,,Y,,r
some incubation. The seed, IL
pounds, cost 80 cts. a pound; the
incubation, SO cts, enough for
.hree acres, but we used 1t al on
he haif-acre. This seed was plant
"a about the first of May without
nurse crop.
Last year the weeds were real
Dad and We did not get any hay
'ut this year we hAve just cut our
econd crop and 1t is very thick.
We expect to make another cutting.
70 that the total crop will be over
i've tons.
Il think that spring planting is
much better than fall on account
u our hard winters. The soil
mould be well drained, at least 10
eet to water but 20 to 80 would be
much better.
We get our pure Grimm Alfalfa
eed from h. B. Lyman, Excelsior.
dinn., Alfalfadale Farm.
Our total costs, including the
hnoculation, lime, and seed. ran
bout $22. This winter. we will
un the manure spreader over the
laif-acre. and will harrow it light.
IN the spring to loosen. the
round. There is no question in
ny mind but what the alfalfa ia
mere to stay. as the results with
nat planted three years ago with
ne limestone. and the fact that the
resent crop endured through. last
'ihter which was exceptionally &C.
ere, shows that it will last"
Farmers who are Interested
hould plan to visit the Cries ranch
ext week whau tho ouo,, .,.,,