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J. STECKLER SEED CO., LTD., ALMANAC AND 
adapted for use with Bermuda Grass, and 
the combination of the two makes a splen- 
did all-the-year-round pasturage. It is 
also well adapted for use in regular pas- 
turages, and will give a considerable in- 
crease in the quantity of pasturage just at 
a time when it is most appreciated. The 
plant matures itS seed early in the 
spring, and produces seed abundantly after 
the first year, and no reseeding is neces- 
Sary, unless the clover has been pastured 
so closely as to prevent it from maturing 
seed. When sown on Bermuda Grass sod, 
the sod must be searified to give the clover 
a. ehance to get its roots in the soil below 
the layer of Bermuda-roots. This scarify- 
ing is also beneficial to the Bermuda 
Grass. Sow at the rate of 20 pounds per 
acre. 5; 
Alf alf a or Lucerne. 
ALFALFA OR LUCERNE.—(Medicago 
Sativa.)—Alfalfa is a deep rooting peren- 
nial plant, sending up enormous’ small 
clover like shoots. The flowers are violet 
purple, and instead of being in dense heads, 
as in red clover, are in erect racemes. The 
seeds are in spirally coiled pods and abun- 
dantly produced. The roots will penetrate 
to a great depth and are known to have 
gone 10 and 12 feet deep in 3 years growth. 
It has been recorded as sending its roots 
to a depth of over 50 feet. Its great root- 
ing accounts for its long life and rapid 
growth, as it consumes food, moisture and 
the leach of fertilizers from depths entire- 
ly beyond the action of the drouth or heat; 
which have been for years beyond the reach 
of ordinary plants. Where, 50 years ago, 
sage-brush was the only sign of vegetation, 
now fields of green Alfalfa are raising the 
crops of hay to feed sheep, hogs, horses 
and cattle that are, every winter, fattened 
to supply the market. It will grow any- 
where, from sea level to 7,500 feet eleva- 
tion, provided the water does not’ stand 
close to the surface of the ground. It 
grows best in a rich sandy loam, underlaid 
by a loose and permeable subsoil. It is a 
heavy feeder on lime, potash and _ phos- 
phoric acid, but most essentially on lime, 
which is so common in this country, and 
which produces its rapid growth. Alfalfa 
will thrive well in any kind of soil except 
where it is wet; it is a forage plant for dry 
lands and it is known to have yielded one 
and two crops a year, in places, where 
other crops have failed entirely. Though 
it will do best in a rich sandy loam, it 
stands drought better than any other cul- 
tivated grass. Alfalfa is grown more or 
less in every State or Territory in the 
Union, from the Atlantic to the Pacific 
coast; in Canada in the Nortrh and in 
Mexico in the South. 
Its use as a forage plant is getting more 
and more every year. It is hardy and 
stands-our winter better than any other 
kind of clover. The seed should be sown 
about one inch deep. The seed does best 
planted here in Louisiana in late fall, dur- 
ing September, October or November, 
while it is planted almost the year round. 
The way to plant it to be successful is as 
follows: The ground should be thoroughly 
plowed, leaving no weeds. Plow first one 
way and then crossways, making thorough 
drainage, allow no water to remain on the 
seed beds or meadow, nor around them. To 
be successful it should be planted three 
consecutive years. The first year, work as 
above with 30 pounds of seed broadcast. 
The second year, about the same time, 20 
pounds of the seed, without disturbing the 
ground. The third year, about the same 
time, 15 pounds of seed, without disturbing 
the ground; but simply broadcasting the 
seed by hand in the gaps, for no matter 
how carefully you are in sowing the seed 
you will have gaps. Then you will have a 
meadow forever. 
All farm animals are very fond of AIl- 
falfa, green or dry, and it is calculated that 
one acre will, during the growing season 
from May till October add 150 pounds of 
meat to each of the 12 or 15 growing pigs 
which can be kept on it. Even the chickens 
and other fowls will, in winter, devour 
with relish a mash made up of _ scalded 
Alfalfa leaves mixed with bran and corn 
chop, and will amply repay the _ careful 
keeper by filling the egg basket with eggs, 
when they are worth 35 and 40 cents a 
dozen. Bees do very well on a field of Al- 
falfa in bloom, and bee keepers are sure 
of a good crop of honey, the finest, richest, 
thickest, whitest and best flavored in the 
world. No honey can equal it and it runs 
from 12 to 13 pounds to the gallon, while 
the other honey runs from 11 to 12 pounds. 
The nectar is so abundantly secreted, dur 
ing the time it is in bloom, that for 2 
given acreage no plant will support as 
many colonies. 
BOKHARA MELITOTUS OR SWEET 
CLOVER.—A hardy perennial Clover, grow- 
ing wild in many sections, particularly the 
prairie States. Will thrive and prosper 
wherever Blue Grass, Red Clover and Al- 
falfa grow. May be sown in most any 
month; late Fall and early Spring is con- 
sidered best. A frequent practice is to 
sow it with Winter grain. Flowers fur- 
nish abundant forage for bees. 
ARCTIC OR RESCUE GRASS (Bromus 
Uniloides.)—-Makes fine Winter grazing or 
a good early hay crop. It can be sown any 
time from August to the middle of Oc- 
Price List of Grasses and Clovers in Back of Book. 
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