2 Alfalfa 
RUSSELL-HECKLE 
Memphis, Tenn. 
Rus§ell-IIcckIe’s Top Notch Alfalfa 
The most vital need of those who depend for their living- on the products of the soil is pure seed, not mixed with noxious 
weed seed, and of high germinating quality. Our Top Notch brand was originated to designate seed stocks filling just that 
need, and their dependability is responsible for their popularity. 
A Field of R.-H. Co.’s Dakota 12 Alfalfa 
ALFALFA 
Alfalfa deserves to rank first among the legumes. It 
furnishes more green forage, more pasture and more dry 
hay per acre than any known variety of hay or grass. Pound 
for pound of dry feeding matter, it is worth more than any 
other forage —and is relished by stock, cows, sheep and 
hogs. 
As a soil builder, there is nothing better—extremely deep 
rooted, it withstands drought better than most other le¬ 
gumes. In the South, Alfalfa usually lasts four or five 
years without reseeding, sometimes longer, depending on 
presence of weeds, weather conditions, etc. Do not pasture 
so closely as to injure the crown or new shoots. 
Getting a Start 
Alfalfa requires a sweet soil — if your soil is acid, apply 
sometime ahead of seeding, the fall previous to seeding if 
possible, at least 3 tons ground limestone per acre broadcast 
and harrow this in. It will not grow on acid soil. Sow on 
good loam or clay or medium sandy soils, provided they are 
well drained to a depth of at least four feet. Avoid soil 
with a “hard-Pan” close to surface, for it prevents drain¬ 
age. Avoid low spots where water stagnates or freezes— 
Alfalfa cannot stand “wet Feet.’’ Sow on a bed free of 
weeds—if possible, sow on land which has been in some cul¬ 
tivated crop. Plow previous fall if possible, or at least sev¬ 
eral weeks in advance of seeding. Then disc and harrow 
frequently to set the seed bed — a firm seed bed is desirable 
as it conserves moisture. 
Sow 20 to 25 pounds per acre (some use 30 or 35 lbs.) 
cover about 1 inch. Some roll the seed in, using corrugated 
roller or cultipacker. Plant in March and April, September 
or October. 
INOCULATE THE SEED BY ALL MEANS. If not inocu¬ 
lated, youtig plants have to depend on whatever nitrogen is 
available in the soil, usually not a fifth of the large quantity 
they require. When inoculated, the bacteria soon supply 
all the nitrogen the plants reouire and assure a vigorous 
growth. Lack of inoculation has caused many Alfalfa fail¬ 
ures. Use either Nitragin, or Dickinson’s Humus, described 
and quoted on page 19 of this catalog. 
Prfee List of Inoculations 
NITItAGIN CULTURE 
FOr Alfalfa, Red, Alsike, and 
Other Clovers 
y z bu. size, each.$0.35 
1 bu. size, each.55 
2 hu. size, each. 1.20 
For LESFEDEZA 
1 bu. size, each.$0.35 
2 bu. size, each.55 
5 bu. size, each. 1.20 
For current and quantity prices on Alfalfa Seeds, see 
Green Ink List enclosed. 
It.-II. Co’s Top Notch Western Alfalfa 
The United States Department of Agriculture says that a 
good grade of Kansas Common type of Alfalfa is standard 
for the South. Where this type of seed is produced, in Kansas 
and Northern Oklahoma, they have severely cold weather in 
winters and extremely hot weather in summer, with dry 
periods and wet spells. Much more unfavorable conditions 
than our territory has to bear. Repeated tests at our Experi¬ 
ment Stations and actual field results show the accuracy of 
the department’s statement. We have sold hundreds of thou¬ 
sands of pounds all over the South where it has given splen¬ 
did results. 
Our seed this spring are the cream of the crop in Kansas 
and Northern Oklahoma, bought by our own representatives 
who spent almost two months in the growing fields last fall 
when crops were harvested. 
It.-II. Co‘s Top Notch Hardy Northwestern Alfalfa 
The Northwestern states, like Idaho, Nebraska, produce a 
very hardy type of Alfalfa, due, naturally, to the severely cold 
winters that Alfalfa must weather there each year. Our Top 
Notch Northwestern Seed represents our choice of the stocks 
produced there, based on purity and growth. Such seed costs 
more than seed produced farther south, but the man who 
buys Top Notch Northwestern Alfalfa will get full value for 
every dollar spent. 
DAKOTA—12 ALFALFA 
Originated in the Dakotas to meet the terribly severe 
weather conditions prevalent there, where the temperature 
goes down to 15 or 20 degrees below zero in Winter, with ex¬ 
tremely hot Summers in the mountain valleys. This seed has 
built up a strong resistance to Winter killing, an ability to 
produce a strong vigorous, very productive crop of Alfalfa 
under the most unfavorable conditions. This explains the 
popularity everywhere for Russell-Heckle’s Dakota 12 Al¬ 
falfa, sold under our Top Notch brand. 
WHY INOCULATE 
Inoculation of your seed before planting will give you 
a much stronger and quicker growth, producing a greater 
tonnage of hay. The cost of inoculation per acre is so 
small that the increased yield will repay it many times. 
The big benefit comes in the value added to your land. 
The roots of the Alfalfa are the home of the inoculated 
bacteria, that draw the fertility-building nitrogen from 
the air and store it in swellings on the roots called no¬ 
dules. These nodules not only feed nitrogen to the 
plant, but rot away in the ground to supply valuable 
nitrogen to all future crops of all kinds. 
