Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 March 1896 — Alfalfa Without Irrigation. [ARTICLE]

Alfalfa Without Irrigation.

The recent abnormally dry seasons have caused a partial or almost a complete failure of clover and other hay crops in many sections. As a result there is an unusual inquiry about pasture and forage plants that promise a more certain “catch” than clover, and are better able to endure drought than the common clovers and grasses. Very naturally attention has been turned to alfalfa and kaffir corn, plants adapted to dry irrigated regions. Alfalfa is preferred by many as it produces a hay equal to clover and has a similar good » effect on the soil’ Although alfalfa can, when well started, endure drought better than clover, it cannot produce three or more crops the same season without irrigation. Alfalfa has been grown at the Indiana experiment station for several years. As a result of trial, we find: — —l. —That alfalfa is more feeble than clover at the start, and is very liable to be choked by weeds the first season. 2. That it increases in vigor until the third vear at least, and thus maintains itself better and longer in the soil than a common red, mammoth or aisike clover. 8. That in very dry seasons—like 1895—it may yifeld more hay than clover 4. That in normal seasons •it some-times yields less than clover’ 5. That but two cuttings of alfalfa may be expected the same season without irrigation. Tn any fertile soil, having a sufficiently porous sub-soil, to permit it to strike deep root into the lower, permanently moist earth, the alfalfa

will probable do well. It is said to do best in light, calcarious loams, underlaid with a porous subsoil. The land should be thoroughly and deeply drained, and if the snbsoil is at all compact, it may be plowed to advantage. Subsoil in the fall, but sow the seed in the spring. Select ground as free as possible from weed'seeds, and throughly prepare the seed bed as early in the spring as the ground will bear working well. If the land is worn : should be enriched before, or at the time of seeding. Commerical fertilizers supplying lime, phosporic acid and potash are best at first, but farm manures may be used as a top dressing after the first year. Sow seed in shallow drills (15 to 20 pounds) or broadcast (20 to 25 pounds) to the acre. If broadcast, harrow the seed in well. Heavily roll the ground to insure prompt and even germination. If necessary, mow the weeds with machine so as to admit light and air to the tender alfalfa plants, and rake off the clippings if heavy. Do not harvest's crop the first season, unless the growth is very heavy, and even then do nos cut late. Mow when in bloom and cure the same as clover. Close pasturing by any class of stock is injurious to alfalfa, and sheep should not be allowed upon it, but if not grazed too close, it will endure pasturing fairly well. It is, however, best for hay. Purdue University Agricultual Experiment Station, Newspaper Bullitin No. 21. Feb. 28, 1896. v W. C. Latta, , • Agriculturist.