The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-25

greatest forage crop in the world.
Where it will grow, and that is almost
everywhere, particularly in Montana,
it outyields most other forage crops
produced is far in excess of any other
forage with the exception of some of
the clover which ranks almost as valu-
:ble as alfalfa. Because of it's high
protein content, alfalfa makes and ex-
ceflent feed for any class of livestock.
Particularly dairy cattle. However, it
is just about as useful for beef ami
rials, sheep, hogs, horses and even
poultry. Then. too. alfalfa, by reason
OF the nitrogen ga thering bacteria on
IFS roots. improves rather than impov-
erishes the soil.
These are Il few of the reasons why
alfalfa will be sown on hundreds Of
acres of Montana land this coming
spring, much of it by farmers who
have had little or no previous experi-
encc with the crop. For such men the
following suggestions will be of bene-
lit:
Plant Crop Early.
Alfalfa should be planted as soon as
the seed bed can be gotten into con-
dition in the spring. This will vary in
different parts of the state and in
different seasons. but usually will be
IN the last part OF April or the early
part Of May. Wherever possible April
seeding should be practiced. The
amount to SOW varies somewhat. There
are men who thoroughly believe that
20 pounds of alfalfa seed per acre on
irrigated land to be the proper amount
However, we believe this amount is
Will be so thick as to hamper the
piapts. The amount of seed needed de-
Ponds somewhat on the nature of the
seed bed, if it be well prepared and con-
tain ample moisture so that the seed
will all terminate less seed is needed
than on a poorly prepared bed. The
purity and vitality of the seed should
always be tested before planting. In
the experience of hundreds of farmers
all over the state 10 pounds of seed per
acre on a We'll prepared seed bed has
been found Sufficient.
Seed Needs Food.
In planting alfalfa it must he re-
membered that the seed is small and
once termination starts it must come
In immediate contact with plant food
to make successful growth. With wheat
and corn there is more food stored up
IN the seed itself and immediate con-
tact of the root hairs with plant food
is not so necessary. The alfalfa seed
must be placed in contact with the
moisture of the soil and this to a large
extent determines the depth of plant
ing. The seeding had best be done
through the grass seeder attachment of
the grain drill. This places the Seed
IN the soil at the desired depth, which
Is from one and one-half to three
inches as rule. Seeding broadcast
and covering by disking or narrowing
is followed by some farmers, but when
this is done one-fourth more seed is
needed owing to poor covering and
faulty termination. Alfalfa should
never be seeded broadcast if a drill is
available. In case any considerable
acreage is to be planted the saving,
in seed will go Il long way towards
paying for the drill.
With Nurse Crop.
There is Some diffara,o, ,e o,,;.,;o,,
the wisdom of planting af-
alta by itself or with a nurse crop on
irrigated land. Satisfactory results
have followed both practices in Mon
lana, but as rule alfalfa is planted by
Itself. When this is the case a. fair
eutting of hay can often be obtained
1t the end of the first season. The
practice is to cut over the ground when
he plants have, obtained a growth of
rom six to eight inches and allowing
he cutting to lie on the ground. Clip-
llnS the field this way kills the weeds
nat have started and a subsequent ir-
'igatHn will start vigorous new
growth of alfalfa which may often be
ut for hay at the end of the season.
Where nurse crop is used there is
more dii1lcuity encountered in tirrigat-
ng, az the bitches are not so easily
made. In seeding with a nurse cron
nc advantage lies in obtaining a yield
# grain while the alfalfa is getting
started. oats and spring wheat are the
1urse crops most commonly used, as
.hey do not lodge as readily as barley.
light seeding is necessary. During dry
seasons some care must be exercised
o see that the young alfalfa is not
injured by strong sun rays when the
.rop is removed.
irrigation Varies.
The time of application and the
mount of irrigation water needed will
iary much with the season. In general
practice it is necessary to irrjgate i'm