Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 139, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1915 — AUGUST SEEDING IS BEST FOR ALFALFA [ARTICLE]

AUGUST SEEDING IS BEST FOR ALFALFA

Result of Experiments Made by Virginia Experiment Station—Seed It Alone. A report has been received by the department of agriculture of the results of experiments made by the Virginia station, in co-operation with the department, with alfalfa. The report shows that August seeding is preferable to spring seeding. Liming is usually necessary, even on limetone soils. Acid phosphate and basic slag have given the most marked results on alfalfa of any commercial fertiliser, especially when used in connection with a liberal application of stable manure. At Williamsburg, in tide water, a. plat seeded in September and fertilized with 10 tons of manure and 400 pounds acid phosphate per acre yielded at the rate of six tons per acre in the following year, as against two tons 356 pounds without fertilisers. At Staunton, In the Shenandoah valley, alfalfa fertilised with 15 tons of stable manure, alone yielded six tons per acre in 1913 and 2% tons the first cutting in 1914. The use of inoculat* Ing soil is strongly recommended over any other method. Pure cultures are a less desirable, but practicable substitute. The experiments on rates of seeding, using from 10 to 30 pounds per acre, gave very little difference between light and heavy seedings. On a good seedbed 15 pounds should be sufficient A comparison of alfalfa seeded alone with alfalfa seeded with other grasses or clovers indicates that it is the best to seed it alone.