Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1914 — “TOO MUCH HAY!” [ARTICLE]

“TOO MUCH HAY!”

M. L. Mosher, Agent, Clinton Co, lowa, Tells of Success of a Clinton Co. Fanner with Alfalfa. (National Crop Improvement Service.) The alfalfa which was sown on ground, which was put into proper condition has erase on nicely, considering the very dry season which we have had. The alfalfa which was sown on the field which had been neglected throughout the summer is only up a little ways and stands very little show of living through the winter. Mr. Frank McDermott living 3 miles northwest of Clinton seeded 5 acres of alfalfa in August, 1912. The ground was summer fallowed throughout the season, the weeds being kept down and a good mulch retained. Four or five tons of finely ground limestone per acre were distributed and worked into the surface. At seeding time early in August the ground was thoroughly Inoculated with dirt from a sweet clover patch. After the ground was frozen in the winter, the field was covered with a rather thick dressing of straw manure. In the spring the straw was raked up and hauled off so that it would not be raked up with the first crop of hay. This five acre field produced 22 tons of hay from the first two cuttings daring the season of 1913. The third crop which would have made at least one ton per acre was left on the ground. When asked why he did not cut it, Mr. McDermott, said “That he had so much hay now that he didn't care to bother with it, and thought that he would leave the entire crop on the ground for winter protection."