HAMPSHIRE COUNTY FARMERS' MONTHLY 



Alfalfa Will Grow Here 



Continued from page 1. column 2 

 system to fail. Alfalfa needs ample or- 

 ganic matter. This can best be applied 

 in the form of manure which should be 

 plowed in to avoid danger of weeds. 

 Then the land must be limed heavily. In 

 fact, the poorer the soil the greater the 

 need of lime. Minimum applications 

 should be two tons of ground limestone 

 or a ton of Agricultural lime per acre. 

 This should be thoroughly worked in by j j 

 discing. A liberal supply of phosphorus ! 

 also is essential. This can be supplied * 

 cheapest in the form of acid phosphate 

 and a minimum of .500 pounds per acre- 

 should be used. 



The seed absolutely must be inoculated 

 with the proper bacteria if it is to grow. 

 The cheapest and easiest way to do this 

 is to send twenty-five cents to the De- 

 partment of Microbiology, M. A. C, Am- 

 herst, for a bottle of inoculant, stating 

 that it is for alfalfa. Moisten the seed, 

 stir up the bacteria by adding water to 

 the bottle and mix it thoroughly with the 

 seed. Then if you wish to sow at once 

 sift enough soil (obtained around a few 

 of those scattered alfalfa plants) over 

 the inoculated seed to take up the mois- 

 ture. While seed may be inoculated in 

 other ways we believe this to be the easi- 

 est method. 



Firm Seed Bed Needed 



One of the commonest mistakes is to 

 prepare a seed bed the same as for corn. 

 Alfalfa needs a firm, well-packed seed 

 bed. Conditions such as are found in a 

 properly cared for corn field the middle 

 of -July are ideal for alfalfa in that only 

 the upper two inches or so of soil are 

 loose. In preparing the seed bed these 

 conditions may be duplicated by plowing, 

 discing thoroughly and then using only 

 the weeder or leveling harrow lightly 

 once a week for two or three weeks be- 

 fore seeding. This gives the soil a chance 

 to pack and the light surface cultivation 

 kills weeds, conserves moisture and makes 

 the proper seed bed for alfalfa. 



Mixing Better than Straight Stand 



Another source of trouble comes in the 

 seeding mixture employed. Do you know 

 of any farmers in your neighborhood who 

 sow clover alone? Why? Simply be- 

 cause local . experience has proven that 

 under unfavorable winter conditions much 

 of the clover will winter kill. Then, too, 

 a combination of grasses and clover makes i 

 an easier hay to cuie and also gives a \ 

 larger tonage per acre than either would ' 

 alone. Experiments have proven the 

 same to be true with alfalfa. 



Results of Local Demonstrations 



This point has been demonstrated lo- 

 cally by Earl H. A. Bagg of South 

 Hadley. In July, 1921, Mr. Bagg started 

 two demonstration plots of an acre each 



Continued on page 9, column 2 



POR SAUE 



Farm 7.5 acres, 2U tillage. 15 pasture, bal- 

 ance wood, small leDfJ:th brook in woods and 

 pasture : al pout 100 good bearing apple trees, 

 trimmed and sprayed: 1}4 story 8-room 

 bouse, has fine modern bath, hot and cold 

 water. Delco light and power, 1-pipe fur- 

 nace. 2 fireplaces. On R. F. D. and tele- 

 phone, 1,4 mile State road, 04 mile trolley, 

 church, library and high school. Price, 

 S.5,.500. Owner leaving town 

 Mus, A. M. Bei^dek, 83 Harrison Ave. 



Northampton. Telephone. 25 W. 



11 



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(SaECttp ^^rinling (En. 



3Iob ^rtntera 

 NnrthamptDit, iHaaa. 



Let 



Concrete 



Make Money 



For You 



Everywhere farmers are saving and 

 making money through Concrete con- 

 struction. 



Concrete foundations make your 

 house and other farm buildings secure. 



Concrete milkhouses are sanitary 

 and prevent losses. 



Concrete manure pits prevent loss of 

 valuable fertilizing elements in manure. 



Concrete corncribs keep out rats 

 and mice. 



Concrete feeding floors and hog 

 houses make healthy, profitable hogs. 



In any building Concrete protects 

 against fire. 



Concrete construction is simple and 

 economical. 



It is our business to help farmers by 

 making it easy for them to use Concrete. 



Tell us what you are planning to build. We 

 wiU send you all the information you need- 

 simple, easily followed instructions on how 

 to figure materials, how to mix and use the 

 Concrete. All this information is sent you 

 gladly without charge. Address — 



PORTLAND CEMENT ASSOCIATION 



10 High Street 



BOSTON, MASS. 



q4 National Organization to Improve and 



Extend the Uses of Concrete 



Offices in 24 Other Cities 



