ALFALFA or LUCERN. 
(Medicago sativa.) 
HIS clover-like, leguminous plant is perhaps the most valuable permanent cropper for 
forage and hay that is grown, yielding, when established, regardless of drought, 
enormous crops annually for many years. Three to six cuttings are usually harvest- 
ed per season, aggregating three to eight tons of cured hay per acre, and a yield of eight to 
twelve tons under favorable conditious is not unusual. The feeding value of Alfalfa is very 
high, being rich in protein—the blood, muscle and bone-forming elements required for grow- 
ing animals; itis also a rich milk and butter producer when fed to cows. It is greatly 
relished by all stock either in pasture or cut and fed green or as cured hay, and they all 
thrive on it; though there is danger that cattle and sheep may bloatif turned into a lux- 
uriant pasture of Alfalfa while the dew is on. i 
Alfalfa is a ‘great improver of the soil, gathering nitrogen from the air and adding it 
with humus to the soil when the deep-rooted stubble is plowed under, thus putting the 
land in‘ fine condition for following crops. Alfalfa may be successfully grown in almost 
every State in the Union when the essential conditions can be supplied. Its best develop- 
ment is attained-under the particularly congenial conditions in.-the Western and Pacific 
Coast’ Sta tes} yet its cultivation is rapidly increasing in the Middle and Eastern States. as 
its requirements and culture are better understood. The Alfalfa plant grows three to five 
feet high and sends a single tap root down into the soil cight to twelve feet, and in deep, 
sandy soils twenty to thirty feet; in consequence, it thrives best where soil and subsoil will 
permit of deep penetration of the roots about which water must not stand. A congenial 
soil is sandy loam with permeable subsoil, though it will thrive in any sweet, well-drained 
soil excepting heavy clay and low, wet land. Calcareous soil suits it especially well. 
Another essential is to get the plants well established. ‘The young seedlings being rather 
delicate, the best results have been attained in the East where the seed has been drilled in 
during the spring-in rows twelve to eighteen inches apart and then cultivated the first 
summer; by this method, the young plants keep ahead of the weeds and get a good, strong 
start, after which they are able to care for themselves. A small crop may then be taken off 
late in the season,.provided it is cut earlyenough to allow five or six leaves to develop 
before winter sets in, or is cut about six inches above the ground. Fullcropping must not 
be expected until the second year, but after a field.of Alfalfa is established, it lasts for a 
lifetime, continuing to yield annually, regardless of droughts, phenomenal, crops,,amply: : 
repaying the expenditure of time and trouble. Alfalfa;should be cut a8 soon as it, begins 
to flower. : Ree oe 2 or j 
The time to sow in the Middle and Eastern States isin the spring, 20 to 25 lbs. per acre 
if broadcasted or 15:to 20 lbs. if drilled in, the latter method being advised; in the,South 
sow in‘February or September. (See cut.) is Vee ie i 
Price, Henderson’s Superior Alfalfa Seed, 25 cts. per Ib., $13.75 per bushel of 
60 lbs., $22,00 per 100 lbs. tee 4 
“ The Government analysis of the sample of Alfalfa sent to me some time ago, 1am 
glad tosay, stood ahead of twelve other samples sent to the Government at the same time: 
Kindly quote me price delivered to Wilcox Wharf, Va., on enough to sow sixty acres.’’ ‘ 
E. A. SAUNDERS, JR., Richmond,’Va. © 
CRIMSON : 
CLOVER. ‘ 
CRIMSON or SCARLET C] ( | 
(Trifolium ee C L OV E R e 
Avance from which crops have been harvested during the summer and fall 
should be sown with Scarlet Clover for plowing under the following spring. 
... The plowing under a good crop of Scarlet Clover is equivalent to 20 tons of 
stable manure per acre. ‘ 
lf intended for feeding, it should always be cut while inthe young stage and never 
fed to stock after the crop has ceased flowering, as Serious results are,apt to follow 
the feeding of over-ripe Crimson Clover. It is the cheapest source of nitrogen and 
should be extensively used throughout the entire Eastern States. Its value as a 
-winter soil mulch and for green manuring for orchards cannot be overestimated. 
In the latitude of New York, time for sowing may 
extend from July 15th to September 15th, and 
furtherSouth up to-October. The seed needs 
to be only lightly covered, and a good plan 
isto sow on fresh plowing and cover with 
alight harrow. Sow15 Ibs. per acre. 
Choice new crop seed 
of highest growing qual- 
ity, thoroughiy recleaned 
and free from weed seeds. 
(See cut.) 14cts.1lb., $7.25 
bushel, $11.00 per 100 
lbs. 
ALFALFA OR LUCERN. 
Sarena ear 
We shall be pleased to make Special Prices {,“",| to buyers of large quantities of Grain or Grass Seed. | "i" 
