SHENANDOAH VALLEY’S 
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MODERN SEED HOUSE 
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Wetsel’s Adapted Alfalfa Seed 
How to Plant 
Sow 15 to 20 lbs. to the acre in March or April 
Well-drained loam or clay soil, with no hardpan underneath, will 
grow Alfalfa when properly prepared. Lime should be applied to 
soil that is too acid. Two to five tons of ground limestone per acre 
is recommended; half of this quantity of burnt lime after plowing. 
A firm seedbed is essential for a good stand of Alfalfa, and the soil 
should, therefore, be prepared well ahead of planting time. Harrow 
the land frequently to destroy all weeds. 
Alfalfa needs fertilizer rich in phosphoric acid and potash. When 
seeding, apply 600 to 800 lbs. or more of 0-14-6 fertilizer per acre, 
increasing the amount of potash on sandy soil. Top-dress established 
plantings each spring with 300 to 400 lbs. of 0-12-12 fertilizer per 
acre. Best results come from having the soil tested and adding the 
elements needed. 
All Alfalfa seed has again declined in price, for the second 
straight year. As compared with two and three years ago, the 
price of seed is down 50 to 60 per cent. Some of the newer va- 
rieties are only about one-third of their former price. This will 
discourage production and doubtless stimulate demand, and 
the two factors may result in some price advance in due time. 
BUFFALO ALFALFA 
Certified Blue Tag 
Buffalo Alfalfa is an improved strain of Kansas-grown seed de- 
veloped from selected stocks from Kansas fields. Although in reality 
the same type of Alfalfa, it is an improved strain, being more re- 
sistant to wilt, blight and other diseases as a result of selecting the 
more healthy and vigorous stocks over a period of years. 
It has demonstrated its superiority over the older or unimproved 
strains of so-called common Alfalfa, for in resisting wilt and producing 
more healthy stocks, it produces a greater yield and better quality of 
ay. 
ATLANTIG ALFALFA 
This comparatively new strain of Alfalfa is rapidly gaining favor 
among farmers. Consequently, a still larger demand is predicted 
for the coming year. While the supply of seed is said to be fairly 
large, the accelerated demand may result in some scarcity of seed, 
at least for late summer planting, before the 1954 crop is available. 
Where the Grimm strain is desired, it is highly recommended for 
Virginia and the Southeast. 
KANSAS ALFALFA 
U. S. VERIFIED 
Whether Kansas-grown Alfalfa is worthy of the reputation and 
popularity that it has held during the past is questioned by some 
users, nevertheless, it is still widely used. 
Inoculate with Nitragin 
The best investment you can make in connection with the 
planting of alfalfa (as well as all legumes) is to inoculate the seed 
before planting. Leaves contain over three times as much protein 
as the stems. Inoculation increases both leaf area and protein 
content of the leaves. 
ALFALFA—AIl F.O.B. Harrisonburg Lb. Rast 
Seoonsso cl BEY 6Y74 740 
Oklahoma, Approved, Common... 
Kansasnverifledsy, ace edeec se csc sss ce, 40 22 80 
Utah, Common SSueez2e10 
Utah, Grimm 5 40 22 80 
A 60 35 00 
Buffalo, Affidavit satel soon a ert) 
Buffalo, Certified Sates pee 418 235,90 
Atlantic, Certified ateecete 42 24 60 
Ranger, Certified, 300. - 2600 cee ees ce fe oe eng 43 25 20 
Williamsburg, Certified 46 26 90 
CERTIFIED BUFFALO ALFALFA 
RANGER ALFALFA 
Ranger is a very good strain of Alfalfa, being very popular in 
areas where unusual hardiness is required. Because of the com- 
paratively mild climate in this area, hardiness is not required here; 
consequently the demand has been limited. For the time being we 
will try to maintain a moderate stock of seed. 
WILLIAMSBURG 
The demand for Williamsburg seed was rather persistent during the 
past year. Due to a limited supply, seed was exhausted early in the 
fall planting season. There have been no important developments 
regarding its merits, as compared with other strains. Thus far, its 
name has been the chief attraction. We look upon it as a good, well- 
adapted variety. Supply of seed will be much larger this year and 
the price incomparably lower. 
CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA AND 
ARGENTINE 
These origins are still available but due to a virtual collapse in 
the price of the higher kinds, they have lost their attractiveness. 
However, they are still suitable for short rotation of legume crops. 
OKLAHOMA ALFALFA 
APPROVED 
Oklahoma-grown Alfalfa seed—that is the approved strain— 
gained much in popularity in the last couple of years. 
We have sold and recommended it for more than thirty years and 
it has always given good results. Recently it has been recommended 
by the authorities at Blacksburg. 
GRIMM ALFALFA 
The chief difference between Grimm Alfalfa and the so-called 
Common strain is reflected in the root system and habit of growth. 
The Common variety is characterized by a long, straight (and 
sometimes very large) root—often called a ‘“‘tap’’ root. It has very 
few small, or feeder roots. In sharp contrast, Grimm roots are far 
more numerous, spread over a wider area, and are shorter. 
Two Brand-New Strains 
Two brand-new kinds of Alfalfa have made their appearance 
during the past year. They are Du Puits and Vernal. A small 
quantity of Du P itsis available and has been allotted to widely 
scattered areas of the country. We have a limited amount of 
seed in stock. Vernal is not yet available. It has been in the de- 
veloping stage for 22 years. Almost fantastic claims are being 
made for both of these varieties, in regard to yield, hardiness 
and disease resistance. Try some Du Puits now. We will have 
Vernal as soon as it is available. 
