Russell-Heckled Top Notch Field Seeds 
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 depend¬ 
ability is responsible for their popularity. 
R.-H. Co.’s 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 legumes. In the South, Alfalfa usually lasts 4 or 
5 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 
Planting Directions 
Alfalfa requires a sweet soil—if your soil is acid, apply some time 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 4 feet. Avoid soil with a “hard-pan” close 
to surface, for it prevents drainage. 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 w'hich has 
been in some cultivated crop. Plow previous fall if possible, or at least 
several 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. 
Plant in March and April, September and October. May 
be sown with a grain drill with seeder attachment, with a 
special Alfalfa drill, a wheelbarrow seeder or a hand seeder. 
We favor wheelbarrow seeder with 14 foot hopper, putting it 
down evenly with little chance of blowing by wind. Should 
be covered to bring it in contact with soil moisture. Sow 
20 to 25 lbs. of seed per acre. Many of the most successful 
growers sow 30 to 35 pounds. Wait until there is sufficient 
moisture before you plant, then cover about one inch. Some 
roll the seed in, using corrugated roller or cultipacker. This 
conserves the moisture and is a great help in getting good 
stands. 
R.-H. Co/s Top Notch Oklahoma Alfalfa 
The United States Department of Agriculture says that a good grade 
of Kansas Common type of Alfalfa is standard for the South. This type 
of seed is produced, in Kansas and Northern Oklahoma, where 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 Experiment Stations and 
actual field results show the accuracy of the department’s statement. 
We have sold hundreds of thousands of pounds all over the South where 
it has given splendid 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. 
Poor land is not suited to alfalfa, unless well manured, or 
you can first turn under a crop of sweet clover (that has been 
inoculated) or soy beans. 
Never pasture alfalfa the first season and only lightly the 
second season. Never graze too closely and never turn stock 
into it when ground is wet or frozen. 
Cutting' Hay. Cut your hay when blossoms first appear 
or when in full bloom. If blooming only sparingly or not at 
all, then cut when new shoots begin to grow on lower part 
of stems. Hay cut early is more palatable and has higher 
protein content. Set mower so as not to injure crown. 
Curing' Hay. The less handling of the hay after it begins 
to dry the more leaves remain, and much of the feeding value 
is in the leaves. Rake the hay before it becomes brittle and 
cure it in the cock unless weather is very uncertain. Do not 
put in barn until well cured. 
Cultivating'. So long as the stand is satisfactory and 
seems to be making good growth, leave it alone. If, how¬ 
ever, crab grass. Alfalfa’s greatest enemy in the South, begins 
to crowd in, a cultivator after each mowing will help to keep 
down the grass and should not injure the alfalfa in the 
least. Use a spike tooth or spring-tooth harrow. Do NOT 
use a disk harrow. 
INOCULATE THE SEED BY ALL MEANS. If not 
inoculated, young 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 require and assure a vigorous growth. 
Lack of inoculation has caused many Alfalfa failures. Use 
Nitragin, described and quoted on page 68 of this catalog. 
io RUSSELL-HECKLE 
R.-H. 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 repre¬ 
sents our choice of the stocks produced there, based on purity and growth. 
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 extremely 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. 
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. 
Price List of Inoculations 
NITRAGIN CULTURE 
For Alfalfa, Red, Alsike, and Other Clovers 
Vi bu. size, each .$0.30 
1 bu. size, each.50 
2% bu. size, each. 1.00 
For LESFEDEZA 
1 bu. size, each.$0.80 
2 bu. size, each.60 
6 bu. size, each. 1.00 
Quantity Prices Given on 
