South Bend news-times., 1919-07-05
URGES FARMERS
To RAISE HAY
Crop ExDert Says There
Should be Alfalfa on
Every Farm.

Every farm In Indiana should
have a field OF alfalfa" said Prof. A
T. Wlsncko. chief OF soils and crops
department of Purdue university.
There is no longer any doubt con-
cerning fhe adaptation Of alfalfa 10
Indiana conditions It's high feeding
value and its ability 10 produce large
yields are established facts. Many
farmers in various parts OF the state
are successfully producing lafge
areas and their experience and the
experiments of the Purdue station.
which have extended into practical
IL every county, have shown that its
successful production is simply d
matter of understanding its require
nents."
Alfalfa may be successfully raised
on any type OF soil. provided il is
well drained. sweet. free OF weeds.
and well supplied with organic mat
ter and mineral plant food.
Plans For Growth.
AS pointed out by Mr. Wiancko
and ". l.. Fisher. also OF Purdue.
the essential things 10 be considered
in the growing OF alfalfa are as fol-
lows
Good drainage must be provided.
The ground must be reasonably
free Of weed seeds.
Soils lacking in fertility should
be well manured or fertilized as
alfalfa requires large amounts Os
plant food. Phosphates are most
needed on Indiana soils
orally be necessary and must not
be neglected. Soil from a good al
faifa field or from a place where
sweet clover is growing should be
used for incubation
The best land on the farm should
be used for the first trial of alfalfa.
II successful. II viii pay better than
any other crop.
Adaptable Soils.
Many people make the fatal mis-
take Of expecting alfalfa 20 do we'll
on soils that are not ft 10 grow any
kind of a crop properly, say men at
the university. Deep, lOamy soils
~ith open subsoils are undoubtedly
best for alfalfa, but there is plenty
Of evidence to prove that Il may be
successfully grown on any type o.
soil from light, sandy loans 20 heavy
Clays provided that it is well drain
ed and properly supplied with or
suniC matter and plant food.
Every alfalfa field should be start
ed with a liberal dressing of stable
manure. If possible, and this should
be reinforced with a hiGh-grade
phosphate. Experiments by the
station have proved that manure IS
especially valuable in starting al p
ialfa since it not only supplies the
necessary plant food elements. but
also improves the physica. condition
OF the soil and facilitates the inocu-
Iation process. A straight phosphate
viii pay best on all ordinary soils.
according 10 Prof. Wiancko. From
goo to 500 pounds per acre Of high
grade acid phosphate, basic slaS or
steamed bone meal may be used
with the assurance Of large returns.
The fertilizer should be applied and
worked into the soil sometime in
advance Of seeding and may be ap-
piled 10 the preceding crop. After
the alfalfa is well started. zoo to 500
pounds OF acid phosphate or its
equivalent should be applied each
season night after the first cutting
is removed.
soil Requires Lime.
Fully 50 per cent of Indiana soils
must he lined before they will sue
cessfuI1y grow alfalfa. This factor
must not be neglected and if there
Is any doubt or the poin., the soil
should be tested for acidity In the
care or soils that arc sour because
OF lack Of drainage. Inning alone
will not be sufficient Drainage
must receive first attention and the
soil must be put III the best physical
condition by the application Of or
ganic matter and proper drainage
methods.
Like all other legumes. alfalfa re-
ouires for its proper Development
certain species OF bacteria which
work upon its roots and gather III
troxeu for II from the air.
IN the majority Of cases where al
falfa is grown for the first time. IL
viii need 70 De inoculated by some
artihciaI means. The suTest and
most successful way 10 do this Is 10
secure some soil from an old well in
oculated held or from place where
sweet clover IS growing and use this
for the process. Care should be used
TO avoid transfer of weeds seeds or