Imperial Valley press., 1921-01-25
ALFALFA WILL
TAKE PLACE
OF COTTON
ACREAGE (
Imperial Growers to Return
to the Old Reliable Crop.
Means Impetus to Dairy,
Hog and Beef Industries.
Cotton Problematical.

Farmers of the Imperial Valley are
preparing to plant 10000 acres Of al
falta in addition to the $4,000 acres
or more now in that crop. The in
creased alfalfa production will give
strong impetus to the dairy and hog
industries, and increase the number
of beef cattle. County Horticultural
Commissioner Waite predicts that
within two years Imperial county will
again lead the state in dairy products.
A considerable acreage will be put
in cotton again this year, but the
tendency is greatly to curtail cotton
production and plant alfalfa instead.
Having produced the most expensive
cotton clop ever grown, in the face of
falling prices, many land owners and
tenants have decided to fall back up
on alfalfa and kindred industries to
recoup their cotton losses.
Thousands of acres of alfalfa were
years by cotton growers. In some
cases it had become necessary to plow
alfalfa fields, no matter what crop
was to be raised, as Bermuda grass
had begun to establish itself. Many
fields that were formerly in alfalfa
were put into cantaloupes and lettuce,
but cotton was given the largest
share.
Reduction of alfalfa acreage and
high rentals paid by growers Of cot
ton, cantaloupes and lettuce cut down
the dairy industry somewhat, reduced
the number of hogs and almost put
stop to the beef cattle industry. All
these industries will feel the stimulat-
ing effect of large alfalfa paintings
and notable increase in production
is looked for in the next two on three
years.
Soine land owners who have been
hard hit ny the low prices of cotton
will take advantage CT the fact that
cotton volunteers freely in the valley
and endeavor to produce a cotton
crop next season with minimum eX-
pense. Mr.. Waite is advising grow
erS who have good stands OF cotton to
cut down the plants this winter and
let them remain until the growing
season and then turn in the water.
He also recommends strongly the
planting of a clover crop, such as sour
clover. Experiments have shown, he
says, the great value of clover crops,
especially when they are inoculated,
and he is stressing the Importance of
incubation in all his reports this
winter.
Farmers who take advantage of
volunteer crops Of cotton will have
the benefit of an early crop and those
who are planting alfalfa have sound
reason for believing it will be profit
able, for Imperial Valley has proved
that it has no superior as an alfalfa
district. Imperal's rise to leading po-
sition among the counties of the state
in the output of dairy products is one
of the most spectacular farming
achievements in the history of Cali
fornia.
How much land will be put in cot
ton can only be estimated at this time.
1t seems certain that the acreage will
be geraly reduced, but large number
Of growers insist that cotton growing
in Imperial Valley is highly success
full and in general profitable. Losses
last season were the result of adverse
conditions, which cut down the yield
below normal, excessive cost of pro-
duction and sensational slump in
price. The previous season, when
prices were high, the profits were
enormous. Under normal growing
conditions, with economical production
and a fair price, leading growers of
the valley are just as certain as they
ever wero that cotton can be profit
oh IN,