SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VIII. 799 



ALFALFA. 



J. G. HANEY OP IOWA AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE IN WALLACE'S FARMER. 



Alfalfa at the present time seems to be claiming the attention of many- 

 farmers of Iowa and other states of the more humid regions. It has been 

 supposed that alfalfa is adapted to only the arid regions. Professor 

 Bailey, of Cornell University, in speaking of alfalfa as a forage crop gives 

 the impression that it is only a crop for the "semi arid" plains and must 

 be supplied with moisture by irragation. The reason for its being grown 

 so largely in the region mentioned is because it withstands the dry sea- 

 sons better than other crops. It does not follow, however, that this char- 

 acteristic disqualifies it for such a climate as Iowa has. 



To successfully grow alfalfa requires experience that can be had only 

 by growing it, or attempting to grow it. Experience in handling other 

 crops is valuable only in a general way. The most essential step in obtain- 

 ing 'a knowledge of the subject is to become convinced of the merits of 

 the crop and know that it is needed on the farm. 



Alfalfa may be compared to clover hay, though it is much better for 

 feeding purposes. The leaves of alfalfa hay, which if properly handled, 

 constitute a relatively large per cent of the crop are more valuable, pound 

 for pound, than bran. The plant is a perennial — lives from year to year 

 — and if properly handled produces three or four cuttings a year for as 

 many years as desired. The seed is no harder to obtain than clover, and 

 if properly understood, should be no harder to seed and secure a catch. 

 When the hay is secured and has been properly cured it will constitute an 

 important part of the winter ration of every animal and fowl on the farm. 

 Stock — hogs, cattle, colts, and horses not at heavy work sheep etc. — if fed 

 onehalf to onethird of the ordinary ration of alfalfa and the other part 

 of good hay or fodder, will do better than if they get only common hay or 

 fodder (excepting clover) and corn. Bright alfalfa hay chopped fine, 

 mixed with one fourth its weight of meal, placed in a tub or barrel, moist- 

 ened with hot water, covered and allowed to steam will come nearer mak- 

 ing the hens lay thirty-cent eggs in January and February than any other 

 common feed. It is also unexcelled as a soiling crop for all kinds of 

 stock, and as a pasture for hogs. But it is not safe to pasture cattle or 

 sheep on it as, is often produces bloat. 



Alfalfa dees not work into the rotation as well as clover because when 

 a setting is secured it should be left five to eight years. It does «ot reach 

 its best until the second or third year. The root system of alfalfa is 

 wonderfwl. The roots go down much deeper than those of ordinary 

 crops. The writer has dug up alfalfa plants six months old with roots 

 six and a half feet long, that had gone down into the ground six feet. 

 On old plants these roots become one to two inches in diameter so when 

 the field is plowed up these roots are. very beneficial. Not only because 

 of the material that is in the roots, but as they decay the ground is left 

 porous so that air and water can enter the soil more readily. Alfalfa, 

 like clover, enriches he soil because it furnishes a home for the bacteria 

 that are able to make air nitrogen available for plants. 



