Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1916-03-10
TO GROW ALFALFA.
Some First Principles Outlined by Mr.
Math Nichols.

They are calling alfalfa the queen
OF all the clovcrs in many sections Of
the great central west says the Iowa
Homestead 1t Yields mammoth crops
under favorable conditions, and the
hay Is most nutritious. Furthermore,
1t Is a soil cnrAher so that crops that
succeed alfalfa always yield bounte.
ously. Those who have attained sue.
cess in growing this crop as we'll as
those who are without experience will
be interested IN the following para.
graphs taken from an address recently
delivered by the president Of the Wis.
consin Dairymcn's association, Math
Mlchcls. Much good alfalfa doctrine
is packed into the following lines.
Use home or western grown seed
with n termination test Of % per cent
or better
Select any soil that will grow corn.
Fan blowing is preferable
Thorough but shallow cultivation In
The spring
Sow fifteen pounds of alfalfa seed
and one buShel Of barley per acre.
If n drill with seeding attachment is
used drop seed ahead Of disks or shoes.
No narrowing necessary after seeding
II the barley is sown first and the al
falfa seed put on by hand secder fol
low with light narrowing
tn. larln,, gbnnIJ hnppo,, 10 LODI ,rf
cut for hay; if it stands up allow it to
rlpcn. In either case get it off the
field as soon as possible after cutting.
DO not cut again nor pasture the first
year. The heavier the growth in the
fall the better. This applies to old as
well as new fields. No danger Of
smothering itself even if knee high.
Cut as soon as new sprouts grow out
from the crown. This is usually at the
time the first blossoms appear.
Alfalfa should be cut high. Tilt cut
ting bar notch or two higher than
you would for other grasses, so as not
to injure the new sprouts, thereby get
ting quicker start and more hay at
the next cutting.
Alfalfa must he cut three times and
only three times to keep it in the best
Of health.
If alfalfa fields should appear a little
thin cultivate as soon as dry in the
Spring with spring tooth harrow OF
hoe seeder, the same as you would u
strawberry bed
If possible give your alfalfa light
dressing Of stable manure during the
fall or winter. 1t will show results.
DO not ovcrdo the curing in the field
Alfalfa can be put up easier and
quicker than clover and still cure out
well in the NOW. Do not pile up high
in NOV in order to keep each cutting
separate, but spread out as much as
possible
Remember as weed destroyer the
growing of alfalfa has no equal.
If you have alfalfa hay for sale get
in touch with feeders and sell direct,
In selling alfalfa remember that the
standard is set so high on the grade
called "choice" that it is impossible for
us to bale Il car to meet the require
ments Of this grade.
In certain parts Of the central west
it might be necessary To qualify q"
alter one or two of the sentiments pX-
pressed above. While alfalfa. in The
main, gives good uc,oUuj OF iScl'
when seeded in the Sprin@ along win
barley. vet. on the other hand, W'ny
growers are having splendid @ucreS>
by seeding it early in the fan This
method is particularly anplirahl" to
land that is foul with weeds. Tie an
nualS that germhate In tie fail Give
no more bother, because whom rhcE
freeze down it is the last of them.
However, on clean soil, that are sweet
and ready for the crop the plan If SOW
ing in the spring answers the purpose
well, and mo- combination answers this
purpose better then that Vt barley and
alfalfa. If barley is seeded lightly Il
good yield will lie obtained. ana yet
there will be plenty Of room for the al
falfa to make Il showing even while
the nurse crop is making Roadway.