PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES ^51 



IDAHO 



H. W. Kiefer, Bingham county. — I have grown alfalfa 

 in Idaho, under irrigation, for 12 years. Have 40 acres 

 on second bottom, heavy clay soil for 12 feet. This sub- 

 soil pulverizes by the action of the air, and will produce a 

 good crop of small grain. Water is reached at 100 feet. 

 The 12 feet of clay is dry; the gravel and sand below are 

 more or less moist till water is reached. Land having 

 produced two successive crops of small grain is preferred 

 for alfalfa. Sow 20 pounds, in the spring, and cover 

 lightly with harrow, brush, or drag, or roll. The plants 

 should be vigorous enough to choke out weeds. Amount 

 of hay obtained the first year is governed by conditions 

 and treatment. When sudden freezing and thawing 

 occur, it is liable to winterkill. The frequency of our 

 irrigation is governed by the rainfall, but is usually done 

 when the ground is dry, without regard to stage of 

 growth, allowing the water to run until the soil is wet the 

 depth of a spade; usually average two irrigations to each 

 cutting. Our supply of water comes from Snake river 

 and tributaries, which furnish sufficient for the Snake 

 river valley. Have noticed no difference in amount of 

 water required during first or later years, except as 

 affected by the amount of rainfall. We get three cut- 

 tings, averaging about five tons for the season, cutting 

 for hay when in bloom, and for seed when seed is 

 matured, which generally requires the entire season to 

 mature in this locality. The seed crop should be handled 

 as little as possible, to avoid loss of seed. Alfalfa should 

 cure at least two days, and, if dry, will not mold in stack. 

 The cost of alfalfa hay, if irrigated, is about $2 per ton. 



