Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-07-07
Getting Land In Shape for Alfalfa.

~. IL. A. SutDSTSOI, N. S.s
writes: I wish to seed about an
acre and half to alfalfa just
as soon as can get the land in
first-class shape for it. The
soil is 1oamy with red clay
subsoil. I intended to put it in
sweet clover this spring, but
failed to get it sown. have
z about decided to sow it in peas.
1 put about ten tons of manure
on the land in February. When
will be the best time to seed
the alfalfa and when to apply
lime? Send me some blue lit
mus paper so 1 can test my
land.
In preparing land for alfalfa we
would proceed as follows: Break 1t
as soon as possible to a good depth,
Incorporating all the manure you
can. spread on. If this is bulky ma
the ground so as to compact the
soil sufficiently to cause an i'm
mediate movement of water from
the lower soil areas, to the surface.
If the season is wet and the manure
applied to the land is not bulky,
rolling may not be necessary. In
any event we would harrow the land.
rock, and seed COW peas or any
other legume that will grow salts
sfactorily in your climate. Along
about tae middle Of August. or not
later than the first of September.
we would pillow these peas under to
a good depth. Roll the land to
compact it, harrow it, and apply two
tons more of crushed lime rock
The lime is necessary to the sue
cessful production of alfalfa.
We would seed alfalfa in your
section about the 18th of September
to the 1st of October. 1t should
be inoculated. Before the alfalfa
is planted we would apply. 500
pounds of a formula containing 2
to per cent nitrogen, at least 10
per cent phosphoric acid, and 3 to
four per cent potash. The alfalfa
ing the fall or winter.
1t takes sweet clover about two
years to establish itself. In other
words, we do not think you will Sc
first years crop. You would nave
to let it mature and go to seed and
wait another season probably to get
q good stand in your section OF
the state. We do not think 1t Is
desirable or essential that you seed
= lishment of alfalfa on the land. We
: have never . followed this practice
here at. Athens, and we have estab-
1ished a good acreage of alfalfa on
our college farm. 1t is a very prof
liable and desirable crop to grow
undertaking it's cultivation. Once
you secure a good stand Of it it
should produce satisfactorily for a
number of years.
iGhave not sent you the 1itmus
paper because 1 do not think it
land will need to be lined in order
to produce alfalfa satisfactorily.
Controlling Land Erosion With Grass
H. E. b, Chicago. Ill, writes:
What is the best kind of grass to
sow TO prevent the washing or
the land? I have some small
farms in Oklahoma that are hllly
and L lose a great deal of soil
by washing. What about Lespe-
deza? Do the farmers in Georgia
terrace their land and do they
do the work themselves?
In this section of the south there
lis no better grass to use for prevent
ing the erosion of land than Bermuda
grass This is a thick, dense growing
grass. 1t. falls down as It Grows
efficient sod. 1t is rather difficult
to establish from seed, but develops
readily from sets. 1t may take 1t a
year or more to form a thick sod.
depending on the closeness with
which the sets are put out. We use
this grass to prevent erosion through
this section of the country. 1t will
of course spread into the cultivated
fields unless you take steps to pre-
vent its invasion thereof. You can
eradicate it through the use of
smother crops. I would not hesitate
to plant. Bermuda grass under the
misrepresentation that could not con-
troll by using methods tc that end.
Lespedeza is summer clover. It
develops primarily during warm
weather. 1t can be sown to advan-
tage in Bermuda pastures. Bermuda
/ is aslonger seasoned crop and harder
4 than Lespedeza. 1t is good prac-
tice to seed them together for pasture
i purposes.
In this state q great deal of ter
racing is done. Our farmers do most
Z of 1t for themselves. They ofteli
have someone lay the terrace out for
them originally so as to secure tn.
right degree of fall. No doubt the
< state agricultural college of Okla
hona will be glad to aid YOU in ter
racing your land.
Treating Mango In Dogs
A E. W., Woodville, Ga,
writes: / have fine Collie dog
that has the mango. I will APP
preciate it If you will give me a
remedy for this disease.