California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences, Volume 11, Number 5, 23 October 1873 — PLANTING ALFALFA [ARTICLE]

PLANTING ALFALFA

[Editorials.]

A] we bave bad many Letters addressed to Llin relation to tbe Alfalfa, its e/ualxtiet, the Soil required, lime of Planting, Curing <ye, we now give what we esteem the best directions, touching all these points, and as we have been familiar with its character, qualities and results in California sines 1652, when we first introduced it here, and urged Its cultivation, we think we can give reliable instructions.

Alfalfa, or Cbili Clover is specially adapted for a dry hot climate, no matter bow bot tbe weather may be, so long as the soil has been cultivated deap'enoogh for the roots to go down in search of moliture, Alfalfa will flourish.

Tbere is no better feed for Cattle and Sbeep tban Alfalfa, properly grown and properly cured, and for Pasturage or for Hay.

Tbe belt soil for Alfalfa is a deep alluvial soil, a deep rich sandy loam, or any good soil, eveu our Black toil, after it has been thoroughly tub' dued, bot no soil is fit for Alfalfa that is not deep and fine, as the roots will go down 20 feet in search of moisture.

Give to Alfalfa free scope for the roots to go down, and no matter if tbe beat is 120°, Alfalfa will do well and give from 8 to 16 or 20 Tuns to tbe acre, this depends on tbe soil and manner of sowing.

Tee time and manner of sowing we would recommend is as follows :

As we bave said, the land for Alfalfa rausl be deeply and finely plowed, IC, 20, or 24 inches, and fine thorough work, remembering that Alfalfa oars well established, it stands for many years

Tbe time of lowing we would recommend ii tbe .Autumn, end upon the belt lend ni deicribed, we would adviie tbet it be iown with Oatt or WhetU or Rarity, end 25 Ibi. Allelleto the acre, it ibould be sown thitk, io tbat it grow inccolent and tender— tbui grown It yields more to tbe acre, wilu quicker when cut, makei better and iweeterbay— wben town sparce tbeilalki are coarse and bard, will not care and Stock wi 1 not eat it.

When Alfala Is thus sown io tbe tall early with Grain the Grain comes up and sets as a protector to tbe young Alfalfa in case of frost, as the Grain blades bans, over the Alfalfa to shield it both from any frost, sun or drouth, and at tbe season warms up in January and February,and the Grain growS | the Allalla grows alio, and thii covers the soi; among the Grain roots, and in turn protects the eirth from tbe sun, and helps the Grain by keeping the surface shielded.

As soon as the Grain is Harvested, tbe Alfalfa will spring onward in its growth and rapidly push forward giving two or three cropt the Erst year. One olher grsat gain in planting with Grain is this, after the Grain is off Ihe decaying itubble is rich food for Ibe Allelfa, tbe rooti ot tbe G-aiu aatbey decay become deep cavities which are quickly Ellel witb the roots ot tbe Alfalfa as tbey go down for moieture, thus in planting tbe Alfalfa this fall early witb Grain, both species are uecefitttd and a larger crop is secured of eacb.

Wheu Alfalfa Pasture" are to be need for feed only, for Cows or Sheep—they should be fenced off into 5 or 10 acre lots, in order |3 give each lot full recuperative power —this can easily be done by the movable fence, for stock in rich Alfalfa pastures won't jump fences or break tbem. When Alfalfa is raised lor Hay it abould be cnt wben in lull blossom, btfort seeding, if sown as it should be, thick, tbe grass wilt be lender and will wilt quickly, and should be quickly winrowed— then stocked early—noi oVied up— Clover should be cured as we cure hirbs to retain tbeir fragrance and goodness, so witb Alfalfa, il need but little exposure—il will dry enough io tbe Stack—the Curing Alfalfa Hay is one ot tbe most important parts of the whole thing, all the process of seiee tion of soil, Plowing, Planting, Ac, will all be lost, if al last a good crop el 10 or 12 Tuns per acre is badly harvested and spoiled.

We bave thus Irom careful study and many yecrc Inquiry, given here what we believe and bopewill advantage our Farmers who desire to grow the Alfalfa and we shall at all times be glad to bear from tbem of tbeir experience with this most excellent Clover—shall be glad to bave ihem live us all the information they can for publication in our Journal, glad to heve their viewc, though they may differ ever so much from us io their plans, for by such expressions of opinions tbe most ol truth will be obtained.