672 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



might be able to tell you a different story today. It is good for cows, 

 hogs, sheep, horses, in fact, almost all of our live stock. When it is 

 made into hay it is not so good for the hogs, but is good for other live 

 stock. 



I think this is all I have to say on the subject. Gentlemen, I thank 

 you. 



President Johnson: We ■uill now hear from T. E. Ellison, of Fort 

 Mr. Ellison, ,Tr.: Mr. Ellison is not able to be present today, so he 



has asked me to read his paper. 



Wayne. 



T. E. ELLISON, FORT WAYNE. 



We have been asked to tell something about alfalfa, and we can 

 do it best by telling our own experiences. 



We have 31 acres that have been cut for five years, two acres that 

 have been cut for four years, six acres for three years, and 21 acres that 

 we have cut for two years. It is on a black clay and sand loam that is 

 from eight to ten feet deep, with a slight incline toward the north. We 

 think that alfalfa will grow anywhere in this country if the land is 

 deeply drained, for being a root growing plant it must have plenty of 

 ground to grow in. 



In preparation the laud must be warm, say from April 10th to 15th, 

 a little later than we usually sow oats, plow the land deep, nine or ten 

 inches, harrow until it has a fine tilth and when in the most excellent 

 condition, roll. 



In sowing, drill from three pecks to one bushel of oats, then sow 

 broadcast on the loose ground from 20 to 25 pounds of bright, good seed 

 and roll again. 



Cut when the oats are coming into blossom about June 10th to 15th. 

 Let the oats lie till toward evening and before the dew falls cock them 

 up into heaps, having about 200 pounds to the cock. The next day open 

 them up, throwing four piles towards each other. At night put the four 

 together. In 24 or 48 hours throw four of these towards each other, then 

 put these four into one and let lie till well cured, being careful not to 

 let the cocks lie in one place long enough to injure the young alfalfa. 



We cut again in about six weeks, as the alfalfa begins to show blos- 

 soms, and again in September. 



Governor Hoard advises against frequent cutting the first year, be- 

 cause it creates a tendency of the plant to grow too much top and too 

 little root. He may be right, but with our deep alluvial soil we have 

 found our way very successful. 



.\fter the first year we cut very early, wIhmi not to exceed one-tenth 

 of the blossoms have appeared. Do not be afraid to cut it down, for while 

 sonic of it in.iy b(> injured by wet weather, the year's aftergrowth will 

 be better and licr.vicr from an earlv first cutting than from later cuttine. 



