The Question Box. 305 



get 11.40 for 40 quarts, minus 15 cents per can, freight, delivered 

 in Cleveland. We have ten cows. 



Is alfalfa as good a crop as the common red clover varieties? 



Mr. Terry. — I heard Prof. Voorhees say that they cut 20 tons 

 of green alfalfa from one measured acre, containing 1,560 pounds 

 of digestible protein, which is fully four times as much as can 

 be obtained from an acre of the red clover varieties. 



A Farmer. — Here about, alfalfa grows well enough on low 

 ground, but it does not succeed on high land. In California, 

 where irrigation is practical, it grows well; if we could do that 

 here, no doubt it would grow. It roots very deeply — sometimes 

 40 to 50 feet. 



Mr. Cook. — We have grown alfalfa a number of years, but it 

 required much time to learn how to do it. An old Frenchman 

 who worked for us, brought a package of seed from France, and 

 showed us how to sow it; we now succeed, but we first put the 

 ground in the best possible tilth — just like a garden — then we 

 sow nearly a bushel to the acre, early in May. Once well estab- 

 lished it withstands a drouth the best of any plant I know. 

 Last year, about all the green thing in sight on our farms, in 

 August, was the alfalfa. But I incline to the belief that upland 

 is better than low land; and I should advise every farmer present 

 to try a small piece of alfalfa by way of experiment; but do not 

 pasture it, and do not sow the seed except in early spring. 



What is the matter with the soil when clover has wintered, then does 

 not grow when spring comes? 



Mr. Van Alstyne. — I don't k»pw as I can answer that question 

 positively but my opinion is that the soil is acid. Clover must 

 have nodules on its roots, to hold nitrogen, and these nodules 

 will not live in an acid soil. The remedy for such a soil is an 

 application of lime to correct the acidity by sweetening it. Apply 

 20 bushels per acre. I have just such a field. It grows any crop 

 but clover, so I shall treat it with lime next season. 



Mr. Cook. — My observation has been that, on lime-rock soil,, 

 clover grows well. In our county the soil is a lime rock and 

 clover grows on it abundantly. 



