EXTENSION DIVISION. 263 



along that line. Mr. H. C. Rather, assisted by members of the Farm Crops 

 Department, handled this work. 



Alfalfa and Legume Campaign. 



Owing to the success which alfalfa growers have met with during recent 

 years, and from the standpoint of permanent soil benefit, and the live- 

 stock situation in Michigan, it was deemed advisable to greatly increase 

 the acreage of alfalfa. In most localities alfalfa is a "key cix)p". Not 

 only is the growing of this crop directly profitable, but the indirect 

 benefits are very great. The successful production of alfalfa necessitates 

 liming, the use of phosphate, etc., and leaves the land in excellent con- 

 dition for growing general crops. It is also of great value in cheapening 

 and bettering livestock feeding rations. 



A state-wide alfalfa campaign Avas announced in August 1921. The 

 work w'as placed on a count)- basis being conducted either in co-oper'ation 

 with the Dairy Department as a '^milk and alfalfa" or as a straight 

 "legume" campaign. The "milk and alfalfa" campaign, beginning Octo- 

 ber 29 to November 5, held in Allegan countj', was led by two teams, 

 each composed of one man from the Farm Crops Dejiartment and one 

 from the Dairj' Department, each making four meetings per day with one 

 night meeting. The meetings were held in barns during the day-time and 

 in grange halls and other campaign meeting places at night. Over two 

 thousand four hundred farmers attended these meetings and it was esti- 

 mated that the alfalfa acreage in Allegan countj^ had increased to three 

 thousand acres — over 70% during the past spring. 



Alfalfa '•campaigns" were conducted in eighteen counties, though prac- 

 tically all county agents encouraged the extension of the alfalfa and 

 legume acreage as a main project. Apparently, the alfalfa acreage has 

 increased to the extent of two hundred and seventy-five thousand acres 

 during the past year. Most of the farmers estimate that successful grow- 

 ing of alfalfa on land will increase its value from twenty to forty per 

 cent. Allowing an increase of $10 per acre in land valuation, it is not 

 unreaisonable to believe that the increased plantings of alfalfa will benefit 

 tlie vState by at least |2,000,000 due to the added land valuation. The 

 great increase is in added "profits equal to at least one ton of extra hay 

 per acre worth from ijSlO to |15 per ton, or an additional two million 

 dollars or more. 



The chief benefits of alfalfa come through direct profit from the crop 

 and more economical feeding of livestock. It is reasonable to believe 

 that an increase of over two hundred thousand acres, placing the alfalfa 

 acreage of Michigan over five hundred thousand acres, will result within 

 a year in added returns of from four to eight million dollars, with in- 

 creasing future returns due to increased amounts of livestock carried 

 per farm, increased milk production and increased yields of the crops 

 following alfalfa. The establishment of a successful stand of alfalfa 

 pays not only immediate profits, but substantial dividends distributed 

 over many years. 



Proper methods of establishing successful stands of clover, red clover, 

 alsike, mammoth, and the value of other legumes, such as vetch and soy- 

 beans, were emphasized in regions where these crops are needed and 

 adapted. Legume campaigns will be conducted during the coming year 

 in the potato, bean, sugar beet, canning crop producing counties and 



