CURRIE BROTHERS' HORTICULTURAL GUIDE. 



39 



srior to 



mmon 



falfa. 



tioaa hay. 

 Pkt., 10 



Turkestan Alfalfa or Lucerne. 



iWEDICAQO SATIVA VAR. TURKESTANICA. 



Perfectly Hardy. Withstands Drought, Heat and Cold. Yields the Heaviest and 

 Richest Crops of Fodder. The best Clover for Permanent Hay and Pasture. 



The importance of forage crops has occupied our attention for many years, and we are 

 constantly on the alert for new varieties. Turkestan Alfalfa we believe to be the most im- 

 portant Introduction In late years. Its value can hardly be estimated, but without doubt 

 it will add millions of dollars to the annual hay crop of the United States. 



The seed was first secured from Russian Turkestan by Prof. N. E. Hanson while en- 

 gaged as aKricultural explorer for the Department of Agriculture, Washington. In 1898 

 and 1899 1,101 packages of the seed were distributed by the Secretary of Agriculture 

 throughout the United States, and upon careful investigation It has proved vastly supe- 

 rior to the common Alfalfa, inasmuch as It withstands extreme drought and cold much 



The climate of Turkestan Is not unlike that of our interior States. 

 Value as a being far removed from the ocean and surrounded by wide expanses of 

 Fodder Plant dry land. The summers are very hot and long, and in many places the 

 ni*v evaporation exceeds the quantity of moisture that has fallen during the 



on ury year. The Inhabitants are mainly employed raising cattle, and here It is 



Arid Soils, this Alfalfa grows and flourishes. We have every reason to believe it 

 will prove equally ag valuable in this country. 



At the Experiment Station, Brookings, S. Dak., with a minimum 

 Withstands temperature last winter of 40 degrees below zero with the ground bare 

 Extreme Cold common alfalfa was killed while Turkestan came through unharmed. At 

 Uf'th ♦ til® Wyoming Experiment station the Turkestan alfalfa was exposed to a 

 WitnouT minimum temperature of 45 degrees below zero without harm. 

 Injury. 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 slnceduring 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 early in spring are 

 quickly dried up 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 ex- 

 periments have been made in the Merv Oases in growing Turkestan and common altaifa 

 under widely different conditions, and the results have shown that the Turkestan 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 would perish with 

 drought. Turkestan Alfalla 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." 



The introduction of Turkestan Alfalfa permits of a great extension 

 Good Crops qj tjig area heretofore devoted to the cultivation of alfa'fa, and this, too, 

 on jjj gections where climatic conditions have almost prohibited the growing 



Alkali Soils, of leguminous forage crops. Not only does it endure extreme drought 

 TURKESTAN ALFALFA. and cold, but excellent crops of it have been raised on strongly alkaline soils. 



In our experience Turkestan Alfalfa has proved Inanitely better than the common variety, the seed germinates quicker and the plants start 

 into growth earlier and grow more rapidly under similar conditions. Sown alongside the common alfalfa last summer in our own neighborhood 

 the Turkestan made a top growth averaging 18 inches in height, with a correspondingly large root growth, while the common only grew about 8 

 inches high. The plants grow strong, more leafy with slender and less woody stems than the common sort, thereby making a finer and more 

 For its cultivation follow the general directions given for common alfalfa. The seed we offer was imported by us direct from Russian Turkestan. 

 cts.; 1 lb., 40 cts.; (by mail, 1 lb., 50 cts.;) 10 lbs., |3.00; 25 lbs., $6.75; 100 lbs., $25.00. 



he chief merit of Alfalfa lies in the fact that It may be cut 3 or 4 times a season, each cutting 



^ng enormous yields of sweet and nutritions forage whicli Is much relished by all kinds of stock. 



should be taken when cattle are first turned in not to allow them to overfeed, as it is liable to 



• bloating. It is an excellent soiling crop and makes the best of hay when properly treated. In 



1 making It should be put in cocks Instead of windrows, which will tend to prevent the shattering of 



eaves. The seed should be sown broadcast at the rate of 15 to 20 lbs. per acre about the middle of 



, 1 orearlier, should the ground be in good condition, without a nurse or cover crop. The soil must 



1 eep, rich, well prepared and well drained, it should never be sown on heavy sticky clay land where 



jr stands a short distance below the surface. A large crop need not be expected the first season as 



plant is a slow grower to begin with, but when once established, the results are wonderful; three 



ings a year being the regular thing, averaging 10 tons green fodder to the acre. — Not only this, 



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



long roots 10 to 15 feet under ground brins; up lots of buried mineral fertilizer, while like all the 



er family. It Is a great nitrogen gatherer. No farmer should be without an acre or two of this. 



Per lb.. 15 cts.; per bush , $7.00; per 100 lbs., $11.50. 

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

 nslu-grown seed, free from all weeds and other impurities. (60 lbs. per bushel.) Per lb., 15c. 



Choice recleaned seed, per bushel $7 20 



Prime seed, per bushel 6 60 



Ike Clover (Trifolium hybridum) — This is the hardiest of all the clovers and never winter 



II Us, even in our severe winters. It adapts itself to all kinds of soils, and is capable of resisting 



ctremes of wet and drought alike. It makes a finer and better hay than red clover, and is 



uch relished by stock. (60 lbs. per bushel.) Per lb., 20c.: per bush., $10.00; per 100 lbs 13 50 



mson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum)— A rapid and quick-growing clover, valuable for cut- 

 I ng green or for plowing under as a fertilizer. Sow 10 lbs. per acre. (60 lbs. per bushel.) Per 



15c.; per bush., $6.00; per 100 lbs 10 00 



nmoth Clover (Trifolium pratense perenne)— Valuable for hog pastures and for plowing un- 



er as a fertilizer. (60 lbs. per bushel.) Per lb., 16c.; per bush., $7.20; per 100 lbs 12 00 



lite Clover (Trifolium repens)— A valuable clover for sowing in lands intended for pasture, 

 nil do in almost all kinds of soli, except wet or moist ground. (60 lbs. per bushel.) Per lb., 

 )c.; per bush., .$9.75; per 100 lbs 16 00 



lite Clover— Extra choice seed for lawns. .Per lb., 30c.; 5 lbs. for 1 25 



lite Bokhara (Melilotus alba) — Excellent bee food. (60 lbs. per bnshel.) Per lb., 25c.; per 



ush., $12.00; per 100 lbs 20 00 



-radella (Oraithopus sativus) — Especially valuable during the hot, dry months of summer. 



'erlb.,15c.; per 100 lbs 10 50 



nfoin, or Bsparsette (Onobrychis.sativa) — Is desirable for feeding, either green or dry, to 

 lilch cows. Increases quantity and Improves quality of milk. (20 lbs. per bushel.) Per lb., 

 Oc; per bush., $1.75; per 100 lbs 7 50 



icesSubject to Market Fluctuations Without Notice. Write for Market Prices on Clover and Timothy. When wanted by Mail add 8c. per |b. for Postage. 



