CURRIE BROTHERS CO. FARM AND GARDEN ANNUAL. 



39 



Turkestan Alfalfa or LucGrne. 



MEDICAGO SATIVA VAR. TURKESTANICA. 



Perfectly Hardy. Withstands Drought, Heat and Cold. TIelda 



the Heaviest and Richest Crops of Fodder. The Best 



Clover for Permanent Uay and Pasture. 



The importance of forage crops has occupied our attention 

 many years, and "we are constantly on the alert for new vari- 

 eties. Turkestan Alfalfa we believe to be the most impor- 

 tant introduction in late years. Its value can hardly be esti- 

 mated, but without doubt it will add millions of dollars to 

 the annual hay crop of the United States. 



Value as a Fodder Plant on Dry, Arid Soils. — The climate 

 of Turkestan is not unlike that of our interior States, being 

 far removed from the ocean and surrounded by w^ide expanses 

 of dry land. The summers are very hot and long, and in 

 many places the evaporation exceeds the quantity of moist- 

 ure that has fallen during the year. The inhabitants are 

 mainly employed raising cattle, and here it is this Alfalfa 

 grows and flourishes. "We have every reason to believe it 

 will prove equally as valuable in this country. 



^Vithstands Extreme Cold Without Injury. — At the Ebcperi- 

 ment Station, Brookings, S. D., with a minimum temperature of 40 degrees below zero, with the 

 ground bare, common Alfalfa was killed, 'while Turkestan came through unharmed. At the Wy- 

 oming Experiment Station the Turkestan Alfalfa Tvas exposed to a minimum temperature of 45 

 degrees below zero without harm. 



The Director of the Russian Department of Agriculture, writing about Turkestan Alfalfa, says: 

 "Medicago sativa var. Turkestanica is the chief forage in use throughout Central Asia, and is of 

 the highest importance, since during the summer it forms the chief, and in winter prepared in the 

 shape of hay, the only fodder for cattle. There are no meadows in certain parts, as soft herbs 

 and grasses that grow up in early spring are quickly dried by the hot rays of the sun. The native 

 Alfalfa would seem to be a cattle fodder that cannot be replaced in countries as dry and hot as 

 Turkestan. Parallel experiments have been made in the Merv Oases in growing Turkestan and 

 common Alfalfa under widely different conditions, and the results have shown that the Turke- 

 stan is greatly superior to the common in the crop it yields, and is able to grow satisfactorily 

 ■with a minimum supply of water, a supply so small that the common Alfalfa w^ould perish with 

 drought. Turkestan Alfalfa has a very large root system, and its leaves are covered with thick 

 down. This, in conjunction with the deeply channeled leaf, enables the plant on the one hand to 

 Imbibe the moisture from the deeper layers of the soil, and on the other hand to exhale it in 

 very small quantities." 

 Good Crops on Alkali Soils. — The introduction of Turkestan Alfalfa permits of a great extension of the area heretofore devoted 

 to the cultivation of Alfalfa, and this, too. in sections where climatic conditions have almost prohibited the growing of leguminous 

 forage crops. Not only does it endure extreme drought and cold, but excellent crops of it have been raised on strongly alkaline 

 soils. 



Superior to Common Alfalfa. — In our experience Turkestan Alfalfa has proved infinitely better than the common variety, the 

 seed germinates quicker and the plants start into growth earlier and grow more rapidly under similar conditions. Sown along- 

 side the common Alfalfa in our own neighborhood the Turkestan made a top growth averaging 18 inches in height, with a cor- 

 respondingly large root growth, while the common only grew about 3 inches high. The plants grow strong, more leafy, with 

 slender and less woody stems than the common sort, thereby making a finer and more nutritious hay. For its cultivation 

 follow the general directions given for common Alfalfa. The seed we offer is imported direct from Turkestan. Pkt. 10c; 1 lb. 

 r40c (by mail 1 lb. 50c); 10 lbs. $3.00; 25 lbs. $6.75; 100 lbs. $25.00. 



CDF^ L^LJcz;E:F?rviE:- 



The chief merit of Alfalfa lies in the fact that it may be cut 3 or 4 times a season, each cutting bringing enormous yields of 

 sweet and nutritious forage which is much relished by all kinds of stock. Care should be taken when cattle are first turned in 

 not to allow them to overfeed, as it is liable to cause bloating. It is an excellent soiling crop and makes the best hay when 

 properly treated. In hay making it should be put in cocks instead of windrows, which will tend to prevent the shattering of 

 the leaves. The seed should be sown broadcast at the rate of 20 to 30 lbs. per acre about the middle tif April or earlier, should 

 the ground be in good condition, w^ithout a nurse or cover-crop. The soil must be deep, rich, well prepared and well drained. It 

 should never be sown on heavy, sticky clay land where water stands a short distance below the surface. A large crop once 

 established the results are wonderful — three cuttings a year being the regular thing, 

 averaging 10 tons green fodder to the acre. Not only this, but it will continue to 

 give 10 tons to the acre for 10 to 15 years. As a land enricher it is unsurpassed. The 

 long roots 10 to 15 feet under ground bring up lots of buried mineral fertilizer, 

 while, like all the clover family, it is a great nitrogen gatherer. No farmer should 

 be without an acre or two of it. Choice recleaned seed per lb. 20o (by mall 1 lb. 30c); 

 per bushel $9.65; per 100 lbs. $16.00. (Subject to market fluctuations.) 



CLOVERS. 



(Subject to market fluctuations.) 

 Red or June Clover, Medium (Trifolium pratense) — The grade we offer is choice re- 

 cleaned Wisconsin-grown seed, free from all weeds and other impurities. (60 lbs. 

 per bushel.) Choice recleaned seed. Per lb. 15c (by mail 1 lb. 25c); per bushel 



$7.60; per 100 lbs $12.50 



Prime seed, per bushel $7.00; per 100 lbs $11.50 



Mammoth Clover (Trifolium pratense perenne) — Valuable for hog pastures and for 

 plowing under as a fertilizer. (60 lbs. per bushel.) Per lb. 15c (by mail 1 lb. 25c); 

 per bushel $7.60; per 100 lbs. $12.50 



Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum) — This is the hardest of all the clovers and never 

 winter kills, even in our severe -winters. It adapts itself to all kinds of soils, and 

 is capable of resisting extremes of wet and drought alike. It makes a finer and 

 better hay than red clover, and is much relished by stock. (60 lbs. per bushel.) 

 Per lb. 15c (by mail 1 lb. 25c); per bushel $7.60; per 100 lbs $12.50 



i Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum) — A rapid and quick-growing clover valuable 

 for cutting green or for plowing under as a fertilizer. Sow 10 lbs. per acre. (60 

 lbs. per bushel.) Per lb. 10c (by mail 1 lb. 20c); per bushel $3.75; per 100 lbs. .$6.00 



White Clover (Trifolium repens) — A valuable clover for sowing in lands intended for 



pasture. Will do in almost all kinds of soil, except wet or moist ground. (60 lbs. 



per bushel.) Choice seed, per lb. 25c; per bushel $12.00; per 100 lbs $20.00 



White Clover — Extra choice seed for lawns. Per lb. 30c (by mail 40c); 5 lbs. for. $1.40 

 White Bokhara (Melilotus alba) — Excellent bee food. (60 lbs. per bushel.) Per lb. 



25c (by mail 1 lb. 35c); per bushel $10.50; per 100 lbs $17.50 



SERRADELLiA (Ornithopus sativus) — An annual forage, especially valuable during 



the hot, dry months of summer. Yields heavy crops on poor soil. Sow 50 lbs. to 



the acre. Per lb. 15c (by mail 1 lb. 25c) ; per 100 lbs $10.00 



SAINFOIIV, or ESPARSETTE (Hedysarum onobrychis) — A deep rooting perennial, 



desirable for feeding, either green or dry. to milch cows. Increases quantity and 



improves quality of milk. Sow 2 bushels to the acre. (20 lbs. per bushel.) Per 



lb. 10c (by mail 1 lb. 20c) ; per bushel $1.75 ; per 100 lbs ." $7.50 



