East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1918-05-25
ALFALFA GROWING ON
gAMAS PRAIRIE LAND
Experiments Of Several
Years Prove Success,
Says Writer.
Albee. ore. May u. lsis.

read an article In your respected
parer. headed Wan Try Alfalfa in
cafnas Prairie wish to inform
the agricultural agent that alfalfa
has been tried in Camas and it is
settled fact that il will grow as it has
proved itself a most valuable crop.
Most Of the stockmen are very much
pleased ever the experiment ana
look forward TO Camas Prairie find
ing her place among the leading stock
oSunfries OF Oregon. located as it is
Joining the tmatilla ana Whitman
forest reserve. AS the farmer and
stockmen Of camas began to realize
the wonderful value OF alfalfa hay
where stock are fed so long on dry
feed and there is no hay that can
equal the alfalfa for the breeding
stock. OF course more alfalfa Will be
PLANTED. also notice an article
beaded Frost Hurts Spring Grain
Near ukfah / am OF the opinion
that 81 was the dry weather that is
ihspring the grain. but ii the frost
il hurting the grain then the alfalfa
has proven again that ii is the crop
Ter Camas as it IS from six to eight
inches high. and much of the spring
sowing is just putting through the
Etound and the frost hasn't hurt ii
whatever
some of the old settlers say thai
tue frost viii bite the alfaifa when
inches high. but that IS a mistake.
a. this spring has been frosty and the
alfalfa looks fine. some of the old
s{ttlers win see the alfalfa growing. 4
making a splendid crop. still they
wan stroke their heads and say. .'It
-
Hht Il IS being grown and it is prov
ing ITSELF over and over. Perhaps our
county agent can open their eyes.
The experiment began five years
aEo. Several new settlers came to
CaInas prairie and began the expert |
uient Inquiries were made why
there was no alfalfa hay growing
when so many people We're dairying
The usual reply was ''it won't grow
the frost bite and 1t won't do here
nut several were not satisfied and
BEGAN the experiment. Stil most ev-
epSryone here discouraged the idea of
gGhwing such crop.
The experimenters had up hill bus
ifleSs as they did~not knots then
about inoculating. Some became dis
couFaged the first year and pIowed /
turned yellow the first year and did
Rbt make much of growth. and |
they did not care to lose the use OF 1
the grounds
Others turned their cattle and \
horses 10 pasture on the land sown
10 alfalfa. The horse has craving
appetite for the young plants and
VII spend hours paving the dirt
away from the plants and then biting
il on Just below the branching part.
which naturally kills the plant And
When spring came only a plant here
ana there was left and they thought
II had winter killed.
Is Others planted on low land where
the surface wnter stands for weeks
ia the carly spring. II drowned out.
Sd they cried failure and plowed IT
mp.
But it will grow on low land il the
low land is dItcied so the surface
water will drain Off. but in spite OF
at these failures. a few allowed the
delicate plants to stand to see what
they would do and now the spendid
cfop Of alfalfa is a real dream. ATT
ef the second year sturdy stocks came
up to meet Jack frost at night. and
when the suns bright raps kiss the
dew drops away, Mr.. Alfalfa did not
know Jack had been by that way.
The growing crop of alfalfa may be
Seen on the farms OF AIillard Dick.
Albert Kottneier and Paul Clark and
Is few others There are about so
ceres growing now near the little
town OF AIbee at the foot of the YeI-
mountain.
Mr.. Kottmeier reports inoculntins
lasf year. getting the inocnlation from
HE agricultural college. He says he
has experimented every year for five
Yesirs. sewing from 100 to 200 pounds
saeh year He says the inoculation1
5ass q great deal TO do with the grow
nk the first year 0s ii takes It a
chR time to inoculate itself and that
nost any Of the deep soil In the prair-
= VIII grow good alfalfa.
Mr.. Koumefer and Mr.. DioIS each
ut better than two tons 70 the acre
ast year at one cutting and then
iai good fan pasture Out of the sec
nd growth.
The grain crops and most of the
.mOtiiy meadows were failure last
ear on account OF the dry summer.
hey say under ordinary conditions
10 good crops can be cut without Ir-
iFaffn- Yours truly.