Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-06-28
Alfalfa Production In Georgia

ana expensive crop to eStablSh, put
when once 1t has taken hold on the
soil, 1t seems capable of sustaining
itself through long period of years
1t thus becomes to the farmer in a
sense permanent asset. We know
OF areas of land in this state that
have produced five tons per acre OF
alfalfa annually for periods of from
eight to ten years in succession. Any
crop that will do this is a real re-
which we can afford to expand con-
siderable time and energy. More
over, this crop produces a hay of
very great value from the standpoint
of the economical production of beet
and dairy cattle. 1t also affords
effectively through its ability under
normal conditions to assimilate the
elements needed for it's growth and
development from the air. I con-
slider this crop of such great i'm
portance that / especially wish to
direct the careful attention of our
management which is presented in
the succeeding paragraphs.
Alfalfa seed from 100 to $50 diff
ferent sources have been tested at
the Georgia State College of Agricuf-
ture. A considerable study Of the
type that will persist under Geor-
gia conditions has been made from
could be found growing in the state.
Alfalfa that will last for any
length of time must be disease re-
sistant. So far, a narrow leaf type
seems to have this quality more pro-
nounced than any other kind that
, plants from seed obtained from Kan
sas and Nebraska and that general
section of the United States seem
to be the most practical. Strains
from foreign countries have been
tested that do as well or better but
1t seems to be impractical to get
seed of these sorts.
A trip was recently made by the
author into the west with view OF
locating seed that is especially adapt
ed to Georgia conditions. 1t would
be well. therefore, for any one con-
templating seeding alfalfa to get in
touch with the county agents as In.
formation relative to the source of
seed will be supplied the county
agents from time to time.
A great many questions have been
asked about the Grimm alfalfa. The
Grimm seed are very much higher
In price than other seed and as this
exceedingly low temperatures, such
as twenty-five to thirty degrees be-
low zero, there seems to be no par
ticular reason for paying the extra
price. As matter of fact, the tests
that have been made up to this time
would indicate that the Grimm is
not nearly so we'll adapted to the
state as the Kansas and Nebraska
seed already mentioned. Peruvian al
falfa is one of the best sorts for
summer growth, but does not stand
the winter in the latitude of Athens.
1t may prove valuable for the south
ern part of the state.
The state of Georgia can be d.
mountain region, the limestone val
leys and uplands of the northwest
vided roughly into four areas; the
ern part of the state, the Piedmont
region, a belt through the central
part of the state; and the. coastal
plain area that consists of all of
the section south of a line through
Columbus, Macon and Augusta. OF
these regions the Piedmont or cen
trail part of the state is best adapted
for alfalfa production. Within this
region the heavier, SITTER clay soils
seem to be best adapted, although al
falfa can be grown successfully on
some of the heavier types of the
The lighter, gray soils should be
the last to be used for alfalfa in
the Piedmont. The reason why al
falfa is best adapted to this section
seems to be because most of these
soils are either neutral or show
very little acidity, which is unfav-
orable for the production of this
crop. In fact, the work at the
Georgia State College of Agricul
ture does not show any very marked
effect from lime on these soils.
However, as a general policy of al
falfa production, it is probably bet
ter to use some lime. Another rea-
son for alfalfa being adapted to
this section is the mineral content
of these soils. Alfalfa is a crop
that requires a considerable quantity
of mineral elements.
Next to the Piedmont region
comes the limestone areas of the
northwest corner of the state. Many
Of the soils of this section will
frow alfalfa, but the brown and
red soils derived from the limestone
are the best. A good many Of the
gravelly soils of the ridges, if put
in excellent condition, could be made
to grow alfalfa, and this is prob
ably one of the best uses that could
be made of these soils. In most
cases, however, it will take consid-
years preparation to accomplish
this result.
One of the best means Of bring
ing these soils up to proper con-
dition for alfalfa production will be
to turn under green crops. Soy
beans may be grown and hogged off,
leaving a considerable amount Of
the sha1es of this section are poor
ly adapted to alfalfa production as
a rule. Many of these show con-
siderable acidty in the subsoil and
will require more lime to correct
it than seems to be practical to
use.
The mountain section will grow
alfalfa, but on account of the fire.
quent showers that occur in that
section it would be rather difficult
to cure the hay, and it will prob
ably not be grown to any extent.
Alfalfa. has not been grown with
success in the coastal plain area.
This is probably due more to the
low mineral content of the soils of
this section than to any other one
cause. 1t is probable also that the
type or strain of alfalfa best adapt
ed to this section has not been Sc
cured. Then, too, a good many of
rather high acidity in the subsoil
which Is detrimental to the produc-
ton of alfalfa.
The main thing in preparing land
for alfalfa is to eliminate in so far
as possible all crab grass and other
weeds. This can best be done by
summer fallow. "A sufficient amount
Of moisture for prompt termination
is also essential. This will have to
be accomplished by the time of
blowing. A summer fallow meets
these Requirements to good advan-
tage. For best results the land
should have a fair amount of or
ganic matter. A green crop turned
under is one of the best means of
supplying this as manure usually
stimulates the growth of crab
grass.
A great deal has been said about
deep blowing and the subsoiling for
alfalfa. Unless there is a Very de-
cided hardpan it is generally found
that the alfalfa roots will penetrate
even the stiffest subsoil to a con-
siderable extent. 1t is difficult to
say, therefore, to what extent deep
preparation of the seedhed is de-
ie- "a