Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-02-26
SEMlPALATINSK.)
UBY PAUL GERLACH.)

(BY PAUL GERLACH.)
The question of fodder Cor our stock
is becoming highly important, and in
looking over the field Of plants suit
able to produce il. alfalfa stands out
prominently above others. 1t must he
understood, however. there are many
different strains and varieties of that
plant and some wholly unfit for our
country-they will freeze out. Some
years ago Professor Hanson of the
South Dakota State university. made
several trips through Siberia, travelling
over "A thousand miles on horseback.
The object was to secure II possible,
hardy drouth-resistant plants that
might be of value to the farmers OF
the northwest. His first trip proved
so successful that he made another,
and while travelling through district
called Semipalatinsk he discovered
yellow flowered variety of alfalfa
growing wild. The temperature here
ranged from 100 degrees above to so
below Fahrenheit and with only six
inches of rainfall. which means win
ters often without snow, so the plants
had no shelter whatever. lie found
some specimens over five feet long
and vigorous growers.
quantity of seed vas gathered
and on his return to the states the
seed was sown on well prepared plot
and as soon as the plants were
strong enough were sent to all parts
of the northwest as far as Saskatoon
and Battleford to try out. The plants
survived and thrived so well that Pro-
fessor Hanson was asked to make
another trip to Siberia, and this time
he brought back 500 pounds. ON
his return the regents of the uni
vcrsity took charge of the seed and
planted il on clean land and permitted
it to multiply. | leaEned of this work
at that time and succeeded in securing
two pounds for $11.5O. which sowed
on summer titled soil in the spring of
1914. The seed was iaoculated with
Farmo-geIm nitro-culture. and drilled
in rows three fet apart at the rate of
one pound per acre. The plants made
a fair growth in spite of the dry
season and passed through the winter
without the loss Of plant. No
shelter has been given them.
Last spring narrowed the field
several times as soon as time permit
ted it. Afterward I cultivated it twice
and shortly thereafter the plants met
between the rows and it was a surprise
to see how soon the whole field bore
a solid mass of blossoming vegetation.
Some of the plants were nearly six
feet in length and presented a novel,
interesting sight. indeed. The fra
GRANGE of the multitude of yellow
flowers was readily noticed a quarter
mile away on favorable days. l did
not cut the crop for fodder purposes,
as / wished to secure as much seed as
possible. After threshing and other
work was finished we cut and
threshed the alfalfa and secured
As pounds of good seed. This,
the unfavorable season
for seed. was very satisfactory.
expect to sow about twenty acres
next spring and will give my plans of
procedure. The land had been sum-
mer titled last season and is free from
grasses, or very nearly so. intend to
ton before entrust seed to the
ground. Taking advantage Of my
previous experience, ] shall harrow
the field several times while doing the
grain seeding, to destroy all weeds
possible, and get the land In a
smooth, level. high state Of cultiva-
ton. AS soon as the rainy season
commences ! shall SOW the seed in
drills three feet apart at the rate of
one pound per acre. ! will mix an
equal part of millet seed the germin-
alton OF which must be destroyed by
heating in an oven) with the alfalfa.
This causes slower and more uni
form distribution of seed II the pure
seed were used the drill is very apt to
sow too thick and not as uniform as ii
would II the bulk were increased one
to two hundred per cent I consider
a pound Of fertile seed of this variety
sown in drills three feci apart, in
well prepared soil, abundant. use a
garden drill, and place the seed about
inch deep. Soil condi-
tions miist he considered Do NOT sow
too deep nor too early.
As soon as the plants have attained
sufficient strength to permit harrow
ing, provided the physical condition
of the soil permit 1t. shall harrow
across the drill MARKS with a lever
harrow with teeth tilted SO per cent,
and, II necessary. cultivate and also
hoe and weed. will not let weeds
smother the plants. BY retarding the
seeding until the middle of June and
harrow often before the weed question
will be pretty well cared for.
The first season some seed may be
gathered. but allow no weeds to ma
ture seed. The plants are now ready
for winter. The following spring disk
the field with dull disk and follow
with a harrow and later on cultivate.
A field Of hardy alfalfa need not be re-
seeded for a great many years. 1t is
needless to dwell on the value Of al
falfa hay for stock or pasture for
hogs. I shall SOW about one and a
half acres for hog pasture next spring.
7 estimate five-acre field of Semi
palatnsk alfalfa two years old will
pasture one hundred hogs and do II
easily.
There is no crop failure on alfalfa
field II properly cared for. Should
frost or hail damage II the next day