The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-11
By I. T. QUINN. Supervisor Division Fertilizers

by l. T. QQlNN,
 Supervisor Division Fertilizers
 Alfalfa has wonderful adaptAbility tc
 a wide range of climate and conditions With respect to climate, it can be growr l in every state in the union. In Colorado
 alfalfa grows abundantly at an altitude of from 5000 to 5000 feet above sea leve while in the southern portion of Cali. fornia it is produced below the sea level.
 While alfalfa has not until recently taken very prominent place among th' crops grown in Alabama, it was demon strated as far back as 1870 that certain
 sections of the state were adapted te this plant.
 With the coming of the boil weevil Ad it's With the coming of the boil weeyi and it's subsequent devastation of the cotton fields of the state, the farmers began to look around for something that would take the place of cotton. It was necessary for a complete readjustment of of the old system of farming so long prac- ticed. The rone-crop system" soon gave way to diversified farming. Many or the largest cotton planters turned their at tention to live stock-dairying, beef cattle and hog production. Cotton fields were converted into pastures and silos were constructed and forage and hay crops were planted.
 It was not until about 1912 that very much attention was given to the growing of alfalfa. Since that time the acreage in this crop has grown very rapidly throughout central Alabama, the initial production being on the western side of the state around Demopolis where the boil weevil first made its appearance. Acreage in this section as shown by fig ures gathered by the county agent at Dem6polis- and shown in his annual re- port is as follows;
 Acreage in alfalfa prior to 1915, 1S4c acres.
 Planted in spring of 1915, 1878 acres. Planted in spring of 1916. TIA acres. Planted in fall of 1916, 2000. acres.
 Planted in spring of 1917, 22S1 acres. Planted in spring of 191S 2i36 acres
 Planted in spring of 1919, one car seed.
 Total. not allowing for replants, Il, ,4S9 acres.
 The above figures indicate the popu-
 arity of alfalfa in that section of the state. A similar interest is being mani- Tested by farmers in other counties in the lime sections of Alabama.
 Alfalfa Soils--A wel1-limed, deep, fertile soil well drained is absolutely necessary to a successful and profitable produc- tion of alfalfa. Alfalfa requires more lime than perhaps any other legume. To produce a maximum yield, the soil must be well drained, Alfalfa cannot stand "wet feet The amount of alfalfa pro- duced on a given area is in direct propor- tion to the fertility of the soil. Alfalfa being a deep feeding plant it is always best where possible to have deep, per meable seed bed, otherwise the plant IS unable to utilize the plant food depos- tied below the surface soil. Furthermore, the lack of a deep soil forces the plant to fight for it's existence against shallow rco; ed, surface feeding piants'-
 Alfalfa Requirements-Th5ie are at least three clements that enter into the sue cessful production of alfalfa, viz, lime, drainage and fertility. In the lime coun- ties for central Alabama, which include all or a part of Marengo, Sumter, Pick- ems. Hale. Perry, Dallas, Wilcox, Mont ro1nery. LoNndes. Macon and Bullock, tiere is sufficient amount of lime ta mes. t.,s demands cf alfalfa fo- that elciI:lt. s esi or practically all the upi;ih .,nle m so;s arc naturally well drainel so that q xt.,y,, io rare instances is il nocessai f., -ssort to artificial drain A.e. " ie, also. some of the low lands are dralneo sufficiently well to produce alfalfa dur ;ne the seasons of light rainfall to insure uerrnanent success it is found both prac- tical and profitable to install system of drainage. In that respect, however, it may be said that some low iands VIII be found to require more eAtehsise ui "ii'' age than others.
 Some farmers have used the open ditch, while others are using tiling. the latter in most instances, proving the more prac- tical and economical. oe
 Inoculafion-Th soils in the lime belt or Alabama. like the alfalfa soils Of the west. do not require artlflcial lnocuia- ton, The soil in every instance so Tar as the writer's experience and observa- o1r 1xr oh a me proper bacteria This, no doubt, is due to the fact that throughout the lime belt IS found growing on every type of lime soii A ll1xuriant growth of melilotus which inoeulates for alfalfa.
 Preparation of Seed Bed-The land IS usually broken broadcast with two horse turn ,plow, narrowed and rehar- rowed with disc and section harrow until the soil is we'll pulverized. It is then all lowed to settle This is usually done dur ing the months of December. January and February, provided alfalfa IS to De seeded in the early spring
 Yields-In answer to a questionnaire sent out by the writer to number of al- falfa growers throughout the state. the question as to average yield per acre on ec oh growers farm was asked. These questionnaires went to men who are growing alfalfa on every type of lime soil. The lowest yield reported was two tens per acre. while the highest yield was fraction over six tons per acre. Sixty seven per cent reported yields above four tens, while 22 per cent reported yields be- tween three and four tons per acre, and Il per cent reported yields ranging be- tween two and three tons of alfalfa per acre.
 Types of Soil-In growing alfalfa the type of soil Should be thoroughly con- sidered The writer. both from experi-