ALFALFA IN TEXAS. 



The overshadowing importance of Texas in its new 

 agricultural development renders information con- 

 cerning alfalfa growing in that vast commonwealth 

 of unusual interest. A summary of the situation is 

 thus presented through the kindness of Prof. H. H. 

 Harrington, Director of the Texas Experiment Sta- 

 tion at College Station : 



The oldest alfalfa fields in Texas are in the Rio Grande valley 

 below El Paso, around Ysleta. Some fields the.re have been con- 

 tinuously in alfalfa for 25 years, and with reseeding the ground 

 has been in alfalfa for 40 years. 



The best area in Texas adapted to alfalfa growing would be 

 very difficult to specify in explicit fashion. There are so many 

 areas being developed to this plant, and the industry is compara- 

 tively so new, that I could not say definitely as to the superiority 

 of any particular section. I am inclined to think, however, that 

 without irrigation the Red River valley in the Panhandle is the 

 most desirable locality. Much of the Panhandle proper, espe- 

 cially along the draws and in the valleys, is admirably adapted to 

 growing alfalfa. The black lands of North Texas, from Dallas 

 north particularly, seem well suited to the growth of alfalfa on 

 land that is not affected by the cotton root rot. 



The largest development of alfalfa growing at the present time 

 is in the Pecos Valley, in Ward County, at Barstow, and at Grand 

 Falls, in Pecos County, and in the Toyah valley, in Reeves County. 



The question as to what part of the state would be foremost in 

 seed production is susceptible of considerable conjecture. How- 

 ever, it will probably be the Panhandle from Chillicothe north. 



As to the growth of alfalfa in Mexico across from Del Rio, I 

 cannot say. The Lower i,io Grande soils, however, are growing 

 alfalfa successfully at the present time, but the industry has not 

 been established long enough to determine whether or not it can 

 be carried on for a number of years successfully. They are likely 

 to meet with some soils that will kill out the alfalfa from cotton 

 root rot, just as the soil of Don Trevino failed. 



I have no data as to the definite relation between the lime con- 



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