586 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



LIMING THE LAND FOR ALFALFA. 



Attempts to secure a successful stand of alfalfa without applying 

 ground lime, stone, marl, beet factory lirao, or some form of agricultural 

 lime in sufficient am<mnts on soils needing lime, are almost sure to resuU 

 in costly failures. Only on these soils where limestone gravel is notice- 

 able, or where an ample amount of calcium carbonate is assured should 

 alfalfa be attempted without lime. 



Applications of lime should be made the yenT previous to planting 

 alfalfa if possible, or if not, at the time of preparing the seed bed. Two 

 tons of ground limestone, or several cubic yards of marl, or beet factory 

 lime, or one and one-half tons of liydrated lime is recommended. Finely 

 ground limestone can be secured in,qunntity at all points reached by 

 rail in Michigan. Marl can be found in large deposits in most Michigjiii 

 lake regions, and where it can be conveniently dug out and hauled it 

 furnishes an excellent supply of effective calcium carbonate for use in 

 applying previous to seeding alfalfa. Neighborhood cooperation in buy- 

 ing ground limestone by the carload, or in getting marl in quantity will 

 greatly lessen the cost of liming. 



The practice of digging out sufficient marl in the fall when the water 

 level is low, throwing it up on firm land, or bringing under cover, is an 

 economical and practical way of obtaining a supply in condition for 

 easy application. The marl drains and mellows under winter action, 

 and can be applied with lime-si^reader or manure-spreader or shovelled 

 from wagon during late winter or early spring, Michigan Experiment 

 Station Bulletin No. 01, by Professor M. M. McCool, gives complete in- 

 formation on liming the land, and can be secured on request from Director 

 R. S, Shaw, Experiment Station, East Lansing, Michigan. 



PHOSPHATES GIVE GOOD RETURNS. 



Phosphates give excellent returns when applied to alfalfa, either at 

 time of planting or as a top dressing. The effect of phosphorus is much 

 greater on properh^ limed land. From 200 to 250 pounds of acid phos- 

 phate, acidulated bone meal, or ammoniated phosphate or 800 to 1,000 

 pounds of finely ground raw rock phosphate or floats will give valuable 

 returns in increased yields. The majority of Michigan soils are deficient 

 in phosphorus and applications of fertilizers carrying this element not 

 only benefit the alfalfa but markedly improve the following crops. A 

 discussion of the use of phosphorus on Michigan soils is given in Popular 

 Bulletin No. 284, Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. 



