The Little River news., 1916-01-12
II,-AUFALFA.
By Earl Fitzpatrick, Extension Agrono-
 mist University of Arkansas.

lIilSl CulNSiSlly OL Al
 Alfalfa is one of the best hay and pasture crops grown in this country. Farmers who have it growing sue cessfully declare that it is the most profitable crop on the farm. Many failures have been made in alfalfa growing due to the lack of knowledge of soil conditions and poor methods of seeding. In many parts of Arkansas alfalfa is becoming an important crop.
 A deep, loamy soil should be se- lected, because alfalfa roots go down to great depth, and hard-pan or an impervious subsoil is objectionable. A 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. A few loads of barnyard manure or 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. If 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 the excessive rains during tho winter and spring months cause about 90 per cent of our soils to be deficient in lime. Alfalfa requires large amount of this element. The shortage in lime can be remedied by adding one or two tons of ground limestone to the acre. Alfalfa seeds are small and the young plants are tender. If seeding is done on a loose, cloddy seed bed, failure is apt to result. The first season the young plants have much competition with crab grass, foXtail and other weeds. If the field is cultivated and kept clean for some months before seeding, most of these weeds will be killed out. It is a mistake to SOW al- falfa. on poorly prepared soil.
 Inoculation is essential in growing alfalfa. Soil is said to be inoculated for alfalfa when it contains the bac- teria which have the ability to gather free nitrogen from the air and store it in the nodules on the roots of all falfa If these bacteria are not all ready in the soil they must be intro duced from an outside source. The most certain way to inoculate is to bring inoculated soil from field which has previously grown alfalfa or sweet clover. Apply such soil at the rate of about 300 pounds per acre and disk or harrow it in immediately It will not be safe to leave it 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 be secured free of charge from the United States De- partment of Agriculture. Where there are county agents the applica- tion should be 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 we'll established before winter be strong enough to get ahead of the weeds. Twenty pounds of seed to the acre is the usual rate in Arkansas. A wheelbarrOw or cyclone seeder will usually distribute the seed more even. ry over the land than broadcasting. If neither of these machines can be had, broadcasting is satisfactory, if done carefully This method calls for about five pounds more of seed than machine seeding.
 During the first season it 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. In 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, the next crop will be set back. It is not 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 it's growth, it is unwise to keep field in alfalfa over about six years, although if a farm CTS available acreage for this crop is limited it may be kept much longer if given a top dressing of manure about .exAtZ tHo R tArAe ZsArs.