ALFALFA 
(Results Obtained at the Golorado Experiment Station) 
BY 
• , . ’ • • i » « ' , * i 
W. XL IIXLFVOOILN 
r - * . . . • . • *..»; * ♦ 
* ...» » . 
It has frequently been suggested to the writer that he should pre¬ 
pare a short bulletin on alfalfa, containing many of the facts presented 
in Bulletin No. 35 , and such others as may have been acquired since 
its publication. 
History.—This plant is known under the name of Medic, Lucern 
and Alfalfa. The latter is the name under which the Arabs intro¬ 
duced it into Spain, whence it was brought to the Americas. The 
plant with its Arabic name was introduced into California in the early 
fifties by the Chilians, and thence into Colorado.' ■ ' 
The plant has been known since 490 B. C. at least, for in that year 
it was introduced into Greece under the name of Medic, signifying 
that it came from Media. A’ .. 
Culture.—The methods of culture are quite uniform in all sections 
where the plant is grown, and all the data collected on this, subject 
show -that the methods now followed have been practiced in all es¬ 
sential features for centuries. The principal points are a well pre¬ 
pared seed bed, good, plump seed planted deep enough to assure ger¬ 
mination, which varies with the climate and soil from very shallow to 
three inches deep. The common practice is to drill in the seed with a 
protective crop, oats or spring wheat.' ' _ 
I have not yet seen or learned of alfalfa having been grown in 
drills and cultivated, except on a small scale, though there are records 
of such a practice and the results were excellent. The plants were set 
six inches apart, with two feet between the rows, and when cultivated 
and manured did not deteriorate at any age. The latter claim may 
well be doubted, but observations made on plants growing singly 
either without any, or with a pseudo-cultivation, and on plants grown 
in single drills with cultivation, strongly corroborate the claims made 
for the practice. 
