296 



ALFALFA IN CALlFORNLi . 



The alfalfa, or Chili clover, (the lucerne of Europe, Mcdicago saliva,) 

 is a i)laut of great importance to California. It appears to luxuriate in 

 the climate and soil of the southern portion of the Pacific coast, push- 

 ing its tap-root to an extraordinary depth, and defying the effects of 

 the severest drought. In response to a request from this ofiice, Mr. N. 

 Wyckoff, of Woodland, Yolo County, California, gives the results of bis 

 experience and observation as follows : 



In tlie ^YiI!tel■ of 1854 I sowed four acres with some seed brought from Chili, and, so 

 far as I know, it was part of the first parcel of seed introduced into this State. Mine, 

 with that of many others who sowed that season, proved to be so very foul with mustard 

 and kale, that after two years' effort to eradicate the pest I became disgusted and 

 plowed it up. However, it gave evidence of being a desirable grass by its remaining 

 green and growing through the whole dry season, and even in the warmer part of our 

 winter, and by the fondness that the cattle evinced for it — they keeping it grazed 

 close to the ground. Some clusters of that sowing which escaped the plow (for it has 

 a very tough and wiry root, extending many feet into the ground,) are still alive, and 

 compare favorably with the sowing of ten years late^;, and justify its German name 

 of " everlasting clover." 



In the winter of 1864 and 1865 I renewed my efforts, obtaining good, clean seed, and 

 sowed twenty-five acres. The plowing had been done well, and early in the winter — 

 two months before the time of sowing, which was about the middle of March — using 

 ten pounds of seed to the acre. This proved to be light sowing ; but it was fortunate 

 for me, as it yields more and better seed when thin, thereby leading me to make the 

 raising of seed a specialty. From this parcel of land I have gathered seed and sold to 

 parties in nearly all the coast and valley counties of this State. From all I have re- 

 ceived good reports. 



From eight acres of this sowing, in 1869, I cut two crops for hay and one for seed, 

 the first and third for hay. It yielded over five tons of seed, nearly 1,300 pounds per 

 acre, and was sold for 25 cents per pound. 



Its yield in some seasons is truly beyond credence. In 1870 I estimated the yield to 

 bo ten tons to the acre, and grazed the fields from the 5th of November to the 1st of 

 April. In this county (Yolo) some have cut five crops during one summer. This was 

 npon the Sacramento River, where the soil is a warm, light alluvial. 



From Santa Barbara County I have advices that six and seven crops have been cut 

 during one season ; but there it is warm, and grows through the whole year. 



Some cut when the growth has attained a height of two feet, without reference to its 

 .age or maturity. I am of the opinion that it ought to have a greater age to be of the 

 highest excellence. My rule is to let it continue the blooming for ten days or more ; it 

 is then less washy and far better for horses than if cut earlier. For milch cows it is 

 good at any age. Its quality as a hay for all pui-poses ranks below that of the wild or 

 native oats of this country. The oats-hay we deem as good as the timothy of the 

 Atlantic States; but alfalfa, grown upon the plains here, is better than any other 

 clover I have ever had any experience with. For cattle, sheep, hogs, (when grazing 

 ©r fed upon the hay,) and all stock not doing hard work it is superior. 



Soil that is good for wheat and barley I find is good for alfalfa, but it especially 

 delights in a warm, sandy loam. All alluvials are good. The class of lands upon 

 which it is doing well around me, range from the first-named above to the adobe. 



There is great advantage in fallowing for this crop. The time to plow is late in 

 the winter or early in the spring, before the rains have entirely ceased. By thus ex- 

 posing the soil to the sun during our long summer, all vegetation is destroyed ; it 

 should then be put in fine tilth by the plow, harrow, and roller, (if needed.) During 

 September or October the seed may be sown and lightly brushed or rolled, but not 

 harrowed after sowing, as the seed germinates well only on or near the surface. From 

 15 to 20 pounds are sown to the acre. Sowing at that time, if the rains come early and 

 sufficient, it obtains a growth before the cold weather to withstand any frosts that we 

 usually hav^ here. But the best time to sow, for most seasons here, is the month 

 of February or early in March. Thus, the ground having been deeply plowed early in 

 the winter, then replowed or cultivated in February, or put in fine tilth— sow as 

 above, 15 or 20 pounds to the acre, roll or brush, as the condition of the ground would 

 indicate, and success usually follows. When the rains are well over for the season, say 

 the 1st of June, or as soon as the growth is sufficient and the ground firm enough to 

 prevent injury by trampling, let it be grazed closely, as it seems to improve it for a 

 greater yield the second summer. 



V/e do not usually cut anything Ironi it the first season, pasturing it only; but on 



