The Sauk Centre herald., 1925-06-18
Blue Valley Farm Service
By M. A. Nye
Mains Alfalfa Hay

1t is claimed ny Ildily e1AAeI.A~
ers that alfalfa hay cut in the aItef-
noon will cure much quicker than nay
cut in the morning. Ihe sap mas
gone down in the plant ana In the
afternoon it is cut when 1t contains
the least amount of moisture. -,
Alfalfa hay is best raked win
side delivery rake and cured IN tle
swath. The side-delivery rake leaves
1t in one long continuous swain Wltih
the stems sticking out. Inc leaVes
of the plants are inside the swan
nrotected from the sun. II IL Is ae-
sired To turn it while IN the sWaIh'
this can easily be done by drlVing
along one side of the swain WIN tne
side-delivery rake and rolling 1t over.
When to Cut Alfalfa
There are a variety OF OPINIONS
about the right time to cut AlIalIa
and how many cuttings to make from
ii each year. A lot depends upon now %
permanent man wants his al1al1a
field to be.
If it is to plowed up, in 2 to a
wears, as great precautions 40 not
have to be taken as where 1t is IN
tended to be kept for a permanent
field year after year,
When alfalfa is left standing un-
til at least one third of the blossoms
are out, it has chance to send some
plant food back to its roots. 1t IS at
ter it starts blooming that this takes
place. Where it is constantly cut
each time just as it is beginning to
blossom or before, it does not have
a cl ance to rejuvinate its root sys-
tenn with this energy which it can
only make by means OF its green
leaves and sunshine, and at approach
ing maturity.
Many alfalfa experts recommend
cutting it not before one-thlrd OF
the blossoms are out. Some wait till
even full bloom. Advantages put
forth by men who cut their alfalfa
only twice are that two cuttings give
as much tonnage as three cuttings.
The first cutting comes after busy
corn blowing time. 1t must be cut
more nearly full bloom. The hay is
coarser where only two cuttings are
made, but it is easier cured. The
second cutting comes off early enough
in the late summer so that the al
falfa grows a fine high covering for
winter protection.
Alfalfa growth, of course, depends
lot on the season. To keep field
permanently, there are more alfalfa
growers every year adopting the two
cutting year plan. Cultivating al
falfa, for the second year on, after
the first cuttingsis getting to be con-
sidered a necessity for the best care
and growth Of the field.
Ten High School Boys and Girls,
Granted Ag. College Scholarships
Ten Caleb Dorr freshman class schol-
arships of 500 each have just been
awarded by committee of the Col
lege of Agriculture, Forestry, and
Home Economics of the University OF
Minnesota to as many graduates of
Minnesota high schools fer use in en-
tering the college the year of 1926
26 If the plan works out as expect.
ed ten such awards will be made each
year. The lucky ten the first year
are:
Charles Flugum, Albert Lea, Free
born county.
Juanita Silcox, Sherburn, Martin
county.
Mildred Pettes, Rapidan, Blue
Earth county.
Gertrude Carstens, Glencoe, Nc
Ieod county.
Kenneth F. Karow, Edison high
school, Minneapolis.
Harvey Thompson, Sacred Heart,
Ranville county. {,
Hannah Ristow, Danube, Renvllie
Esther Mangskau, Breckenridge,