Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-03-09

vorable a fair crop of alfalfa and
pigeon grass may be taken. off. But
unless the growth is so heavy that it.
would smother the alfalfa it should
be left IN the ground. The alfalfa
should not be cut SO late that it will
not make a good growth before win
ter. and August ! is the latest it
should be cut the first year.
Six to eight pounds of seed per
acre is sufficient. depending on the
rainfall and condition Of the soil at
time of seeding. Good stands have
been secured by seeding two pounds
c acre. Proper incubation is es-
sential and pure cultures or soil from
an old alfalfa or sweet clover field
should be used. If alfalfa or sweet
clover. have not been grown on the
land previously. Mixed alfalfa and
sweet clover, three to four pounds
ach per acre, is a successful method
Of starting alfalfa When there is
sufficient rainfall. and the lane is in
good condition, alfalfa and sweet clio
Yer may be successfully seeded with
small grain. Alfalfa and sweeS
clover may be started in the same
manner.
Sweet clover has proven a valuable
crop for pasture, and for blowing un-
der as green manure and will work
wonders in renewing old wheat land.
When the soil is in good condition it
may be seeded with the grain, and
the next year cut for hay. made into
silage, allowed to so to seed, pastured
or plowed under. 1t will prove of
great value and VIC urge seeding it
extensively.
Making Alfalfa. Hay.
Making alfalfa hay is no more
difficult than any other kind Of hay.
1t should be cut when the new growth
starts at the bottom, or when about
one-tenth in bloom. Rake into win
drows as soon as wilted, and put in
Ire. tall narrow cocks to cure, or leave, in
Sweet clover Is best for pasture. but
makes hay equal to alfalfa when cut
and cured properly.
Good alfalfa hay IS equal to bran
for dairy COWS and young stock. and
much less grain is required if. this
hay is available. Alfalfa hay, because
of its value, should be fed carefully,
and in combination with other feeds.
such as silage, corn fodder, straw or
prairie hay.
Cows, Sheep, Hogs, Hens.
Profitable farming in this region
from now on will depend on increas-
ing, or at least maintaining the pro.
ducing power Of the soil. and there is
no means Of doing this except by
rotating crops, feeding live stock and
putting back on the land
Later we may need to supply some
mineral elements Of plan food.
Milking cows, growing hogs, OF
sheep, keeping a flock of poultry, and
/ making a garden, is the most certain
means Of adding to or increasing the
income from the farm. The first pur'
; pose of the farm should be to afford
/, a good living for the farmer and hi
family. and this is most eco.lomicall,
done by producing On the farm, s.
far as possible, eyS.rything needed
i, When his is done there is NOR
= money to spend for permanent i'm
), provements. comforts and pleasures
: No Royal Road to. Success.
The foregoing outline of changes il
= our farming system which must in
: evitably be made-from depending Of
a single crop to a diversified system
n of farming-is not attractive to many
E It means, more work of a characte
; that has aused some men to liv
a live stock and dairy regions, for tn
reason hat grain farming SCENE
more attractive. Many have see
where the one crop road was leading
and have turned off, and the NOR
promptly the change is made. the bet
+ ter. Poverty-stricken people will nc
n change: they become sullen and in
different. Diversified farming, cut
4 ting down the acreage but increasin
- the yield of small grain, by CROWN
" corn, clover and rotating crops an
I feeding live stock, is the road out {
the wilderness. SO hit the trail. Let
rot . g - -.t'. .. -... H