The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1921-03-17
ARMADA ENTERPRISE
;. 3. FlaaagAa asi Ss.s
Dditors and Owners
rsispssn. Ar.d. st

THE DEsr METHOD OF
SLIDING ALFALFA
The above subject evokes the fol
lowing Response:
Thsts b no best method Of seed
ing that b applicable 70 all local
tties md conditions. There are CIR
tain principles, however. that an
applicable 70 al conditions and local
tiles and that must be taken into
ecasideration 10 secure the greatest
sseesss in starting . field Of alfalfa
1T ~ inquire what principles are
essential.
I. A depth Of planting in con.
formity 70 The size 81 the SEED.
:. A, firming Of the earth TO the
seed for the Fastening Of germina-
ton by preventing . too rapid dry.
ing Of the soil around the small seed
which must necessarily be planted
very shallow.
3. An even distribution Of the
sssd % that al the soil may be oc-
cupisd without overcrowding.
I. Taking into account the habil-
ity Of frost injury to the young
plants together with the possible &C.
tien Of the winter freezing.
s. Cutting Of the young plants
at stated and proper intervals to In.
dues stooling.
Adherence 70 methods that will
employ the above principles to the
fullest possible extent Il essential In
Sesding alfalfa In any locaoky. The
best msthed, then, to employ are the
ones that take into consideration
these principles, applying such local
methods ~ are demanded e meet
the climatic and moisture edlIAitsons
Of the locality whsri The crop b 70
BE- grown. -
In this article " Will concern our.
selves only WITH those methods that
work for success In ths irrigated
section Of aesthsrA Colorado.
AAilka sssA b. quite saall and
tA9sfses should never b planted to
sxeesd eas inch; from ons-half 70
tares-quastsss Of IN inch is the best
depth In this section. This viii not
rstard IL speedy appearance at the
surface Of the soil and at the same
time Il will b sufficient depth to re-
tain moisture long enough IN this
esid climate 70 insure gernination.
Ms because Of Improper depth Of
seeding that 4 becomes necessary
70 plant - much ~ twenty pounds
Of sssd pr acres; half Of that
amount b all that 10 required 10 In.
sure . splsndid stand. .
Moisture conditions play q great
part and must enter into whatever
decision d made ~ to the time Of
year for seeding. This condition IL
universally good In northern Colo
rado at only one time Of the year {:
ramsly. the spring months, April and
Nay. Hence most people consider
this the only time TO plant. BY 40
doing they feel compelled to use .
nurse crop In order TO avoid losing
the ~ Of the land for one year.
To get the best results . nurse
ssrop d not desired and does not pay
In dollars and cents in the long run
for the reason that II . nurse crop
10 sufficiently heavy to warrant .
remunerntive crop the alfalfa suffers
In the stand obtained and in the
vitality Of the plant, all Of which Is
reflected In the succeeding crops and
Il especially noticeable for the first
two or three years after the crop IL
started.
II the nurss crop ia = light one
&C Il must b II the development Of
the young alfalfa plant IL to be the
best. the money returns are very
light when oil the expense attached
thereto are taken into consideration.
II stands to reason that the nurse
crop should be one that will
occupy the land the lsast possible
time. which In northern Colorado Il
barley.
Alfalfa. when seeded BY itself.
starts out to grow without hindrance
from any source and with . plenti-
full supply Of light, for which Il In
very partial. II 10 true, weeds will