IN THE DIFFBRBNT STATES I07 



COIyORADO 



Following is the statement of Jacob Downing, of 

 Denver: 



"I introduced alfalfa into Colorado in 1862, and 

 have between 500 and 700 acres. It is on upland, 

 clay, sandy, and loam soil, with some ' adobe ' sub- 

 soil, but mostly sandy loam; it is generally dry to 

 sand rock, and then it is necessary to drill fifty to 

 one hundred feet to get water. After deep plowing 

 and thorough pulverizing, the land should be scraped 

 thoroughly smooth, as this cannot be done after sow- 

 ing, and is needed to make the mower work smoothly. 

 I sow about twenty-five pounds to the acre, drilling 

 about two inches deep, twelve and one-half pounds each 

 way. Prefer to sow in the spring, early. After the 

 plant is eight inches high it may be cut and used for 

 feed, but is not very good. I have seen near the City 

 of Mexico fields of alfalfa 300 years old that had 

 been constantly cropped and never reseeded. It will 

 last 1,000 years, and possibly forever. I irrigate from 

 streams, whenever desirable; when there is a great 

 deal of heat and wind, probably three times in a season. 

 The water must not be on too long, or the plant will be 

 killed, and the land should be kept as dry as possible 

 during the winter, particularly in cold climates, as on 

 wet soil alfalfa winter-kills. Well-water is better than 

 the stream, provided it is pumped into a reservoir and 

 allowed to get warm. "Water is brought from the 

 streams by ditches. lycss water will serve the first 

 year than after the plant is matured. I am five miles 

 west of Denver, and 500 feet above the city, in warm 

 valleys. With plenty of water I can obtain three 



