Alfalfa or Lucerne Sativa) 
Alfalfa is the most valuable crop that 
can be grown on any farm. The United 
States Department of Agriculture says: "In 
addition to the hay crop, Alfalfa at two 
years adds $100.00 to the value of every 
acre on which it grows.” 
"There is no State in the Union in which 
Alfalfa cannot be successfully grown." 
"Its long branching roots penetrate far 
down, push and crowd the earth this way 
and that, and then constitute a gigantic 
subsoil. These become an immense maga- 
zine of fertility as soon as cut. They be- 
gin to decay and liberate the vast reser- 
yoir of fertilizing matter below the plow, 
to be drawn upon by other crops for years 
to come.” 
Alfalfa is sown in this section in ihe 
Spring, but more generally in August and 
early September to avoid weeds. When sown 
at this time two cuttings may be made the 
following season. Alfalfa does best on a 
deep loose limestone soil. Where lime is 
lacking it should be supplied. The Ken-' 
lucky State Experiment Station recom- 
mends four tons of ground limestone to the 
acre. It will not do well on many clay 
soils nor where the water table is within 
six inches of the surface. 
The soil should be thoroughly prepared, 
tine on top, but well settled. Plow deeply 
and disk and harrow thoroughly, right after 
plowing. Then roll to make it firm. 
Ihe soil should be fertile. Barnyard ma- 
nure at the rate of S to 10 tons to the acre 
if applied the year before Alfalfa is sown 
and the weeds that grow from the manure 
are eradicated, makes a most satisfactory 
fertilizer: turning under green crop also 
helps. 
The plant when young is weak and must 
have plenty of available food the first vear 
to make its growth, then when established 
it is a strong grower. 
It will then develop a strong tap root, 
enabling it to stand the winter well, and 
start vigorously the following year. 
Field of Alfalfa. 
Sow at rate of 15 lbs. in drills or broadcast 2( 
lbs. to acre. It is advisable to sow the seed hah 
one way and the other half across to secure a uni 
lorrn stand. Alfalfa must be covered, not sowr 
on the surface, as other clovers and grass. Aftei 
sowing broadcast, lightly harrow and alwavs roll 
L)epth to sow depends on the soil from' three- 
fourths to one inch is generally sufficient. 
Inoculation is generally recommended, but ir 
all cases is not necessary. Where Sweet Clovei 
grows wild, artificial inoculation is not generallv 
necessary as the same germs grow oh Sweet 
Clover as on Alfalfa. These germs collect the 
nitrogen from the air and store it on the roots 
AT^ lan n £ or feed on and enrich the 
lation W 11 bG g ad t0 Send pamphlet on inocu- 
Alfalfa will yield three to five cuttings when 
weH established. It should not be grazed. Let 
it wilt a little before feeding green. If cut for 
hay, cut closely when in bloom, let lie for 24 
hours, then rake in windrows, when drv stack in 
£ e 0 Id w ith straw covering or put under cover. 
Handle as little as possible to prevent shattering 
Brent’s Premium American 
ALPALFA SEED 
This seed is selected from the best American 
seed we can secure, grown on non-irrigated land. 
It is plump, fine colored, of high germination and 
purity. 
Turkestan Alfalfa 
This is imported from Turkestan. Grown on 
the high tableland of central Asia, it is claimed 
to stand extreme changes of temperature and dry 
weather better than other varieties. 
Grimm Alfalfa 
This variety was originated in the northwest 
by a man named Grimm. In appearance of the 
seed and bloom it cannot be distinguished from 
other varieties. It is characterized by spreading 
roots instead of one main tap root, by wide crown 
and heavy stooling dualities. On account of its 
peculiar root formation it is claimed it will with- 
stand winter killing. 
Alfalfa 
We believe we are the first firm in this section 
to offer Alfalfa Plants. In the Northwest this 
method of securing a stand of Alfalfa has been 
in use for several years. Setting Alfalfa Plants 
has made possible the production of abundant 
and profitable crops of hay where this valuable 
plant could not previously be propagated. 
Plants 
The idea of transplanting Alfalfa plants, 
though comparitively new and only recently of- 
lered to the public, was practiced in an experi- 
mental way by Prof. N. E. Hansen connected with 
the South Dakota Experiment Station at Brook- 
mgs, and by Prof. L. R. Waldon, Superintendent 
of the Dickinson Sub-Experiment Station of North 
Dakota. 
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