Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-01-18
Reseed Alfalfa on Ola FYelds

esq Al10ala on Ola F1eA0S
8 It has often been observed that
where alfalfa was sown and allowed
to grow for q year or two and then
because it was not doing we'll it was
plowed up and reseeded. the second
seeding came on with a great deal
more vigor than the first. This is
doubtless due to the fact that there
a few Of the nitrogen bacteria in
the soil, and that they multiplied on
the plants first seeded. Then when
the ground was re7plowed they were
further distributed SO that the second
seeding was quite well inoculated.
fails for any reason, and 1t is desired
to seed again, the same land should be
put back into alfalfa. 1t Is no known
definitely just how long these bacteria
may remain in the soil; however, there
is little question but that they will re-
main for a number of years. and be
there ready to begin work on the al
falfa plants as soon as seeded again.
Sweet. Glover Prepares for Alfalfa
1t has also been noticed. that where
sweet clover was sown and plowed un-
der and the land then seeded to alfal-
ia, the alfalfa succeeded exceptionally
we'll. This In. doubtless due to the fact
that sweet clover is somewhat more
SA6oIouS 6IO"liAb tlinit aAAdtAd, anu lue
roOtlets being more tender the bac-
terra are able to grow on them with
greater ease than on alfalfa. We have
observed on the I. H. C. EARN that
where alfalfa and sweet clover were
sown together without fnoculation. and
later the plants dug up. the sweet clo-
yer would shaw an abundance Of the
tubercules while the alfalfa showed
practically none
II 10 nroho hlo tho% xuhoro olfo1fo ~.
never been grown it might be worth
while to SOW sweet clover with small
grain, letting 1t grow over the second
year and blowing It up as a preparation
for alfalfa, OF IL the land were clean
the alfalfa might very successfully be
seeded in the sweet clover Sstubble, 4es-
pecially II there were any likelihood of
the land blowing. Alfalfa and sweet
clover may be seeded together. The
frequent cutting prevents the sweet
clover from seeding. SO that there
would heSvery little Of it appearing at
ter the second year.
Methods Of Seeding Alfalfa
There are many ways of seeding al
falfa, though it is probable that there
is nc one method that will be applica-
The essential factor In seeding alfalfa
is to get the seed into moist sol! where
it will terminate promptly
The Depth Of Seeding
The dtpth5 OF seeding depends some
what on the character of the soil. That
is. the lighter the soil the deeper the
of, its being hindered too greatly in
reaching the surface. It is. however,
best to plant as shallow as possible,
and ordinarily 1t is apparently unsafe
to seed deeper than one and a half
inches. About an inch and a half is al
long as the alfalfa sprout seems to be
capable of growing from the seed.
There. lie also great danger in seeding
even that deep. for a heavy. ain may
come and pack the soil to such an ex-
tent that the alfalfa will be unable to
Any method that will distribute the
seed evenly over the field will be found
satisfactory. providing the seed can at
terwards be covered so that It will
The early spring Seeding is { usually
than later seedlings. because Of the fact
that the soil will usually contain q
good supply OF moisture little sprins,
Very often A$Rttsfactory stand NAV
be secured ~ sowing the reed. broad.
cast and narrowing II In. It is gem
orally considered, however, that this
method is not SO satisfactory. as dfill.
Ing the seed, or sowing It broadcast in
front OF the disks on q single-disc drill,
that will positively cover the seed.
Whers the coll In udttc dry on the
surfaces at the time Of seeding, but has
. good supply Of moisture beneath.
the seed had best be sown in the drills
the Same . srnallt grain, and press
Mhesla used 70 pack the soil down on
the $50: e tnat y VII be able TO take
The msthods used on the /. ii. q.
.Ehfrn With bestssresultSf has been 10
use q Grass S9e44er I'd sow the seed
lbfo&dcAsts1M front Of sthe disks. W.
Aasnot haf1Ql me land after the sssd-
iino - doDAse9 this tends to- level & on.
;s4.thatsesSaa9I xeu!d crase the Eropad