Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-14

While the name, Lespedeza, was
supposed 10 have been given this
plant by botanlsts, in 1860; it was
not until 1880 that it received the at
tention OF It's merits warranted, as a
commercial farm product, under the
development of Col. J. 4 McGehee,
or Laurel Hill, Louisiana, VINO recog-
nized It's value as a feed for farm
animals and as a soil builder, and
VINO sang its praises Tor years. Is
place III southern agriculture is due
largely to Col. McGehee, says Dr.
Lewis.
Lespedza is an annual, maturing
its seed III the fall, which shatuer
readily and reseed the ground for the
coming year. Normally, these seeds
which shatter off at maturing time
remain dormant until the warmth and
moisture terminate them. 1t is the
practice to plant from February ID
10 May l
the stems and branches of the
Lespedaza plant are slenuer and the
leaves small but very numerous. A
good crop will grow to the height Of
10 to Is inches, and on fertile soils 80
inches IS not unknown. 1t IS est1na-
ted that good stand of Lespedeza
VIII represent a ton of hay for each
6 inches of its growth.
This plant will grow on almost any
Of the types OF soil in the cotton belt.
but OF course like most other plants
does best on more fertile, well
drained soil. 1t is thought that 10
plant is more suitable to follow cot
ton, as Lespedeza. brings the soil
back TO its former state Of fertility
The custom of seeding Lespedeza
with oats has become more or less
flXer habit among the producers, as
the oats, by virtue of its shade keeps
down weeds and grasses and allows
the Lespedeza to make rapid growth,
However, just as good crops can be
produced when the seed is sown
alone; but seeding with oats has the
advantage of giving the planter two
crops from the same ground during
the year, with but one cost of cultl.
walton. Experience indicates that one
bushel Of seed (25 lbs.) per acre is
about the right amount to be plant
ed. 1t requires no incubation, as the
rough little jackets containing the
seens carry enough from the fields
from which they are taken to insure
perfect incubation.
No special soil preparation is me-
essary, although it has been demon
strated beyond doubt that soils well
supplied with phosphates will pro.
duce the greatest growth.
The method of harvesting the hay
will depend somewhat on the grade |
Of hay desired. In any event, the
chief effort should be directed to the
of the leaves upon the
stem as they constitute great part
of the feeding value. Cutting is nos
started until the plants are in full
bloom, and the hay should not be |
directed to the preservation of the
leaves upon the stem as they con-
stitute great part of the feeding |
value. Cutting is not started until |
the plants are in full bloom, and the
hay should not be cut while the dew
is on or while wet from rain.
Little ncei be said in favor of Les
pcdeza hay as feed for all kinds Of .
stock after looking at the following
analyses: Timothy con-
tains 2.S per cent protein, 1913 per
cent carbohydrates and ii per cent
fats. EcspcdcZa contains n 6 per I
cent protein, $40 per cent carbohy-
dratcs and Is per cent fats. AS
with other lcgume hays it
has the advantage of being free from
woody growth. permitting its entire
and is free from tn"
extreme laxative properties which
make some lcgume hays undesirable
for work stock.
When used as pasture with other
grasses it helps to make a balanced
ration and should be found in every
pasture in the South, thinks DR..