. Western agriculture. Figure 69.—Alfalfa in rows on a dry-farm. The alfalfa plant belongs to the family of legumes, which,through the growth of nodule-forming bacteria on theirroots, are able to fix nitrogen from the air and thereby helpmaintain the fertility of the soil. It grows from year toyear without reseeding and produces from two to six cropsof forage each season, according to the length of the growingperiod. Its roots grow very deep and are thus able to drawwater and food from a large area. In the United Statesmost of the alfalfa is raised in the western states, although 192 FORAGE CR
. Western agriculture. Figure 69.—Alfalfa in rows on a dry-farm. The alfalfa plant belongs to the family of legumes, which,through the growth of nodule-forming bacteria on theirroots, are able to fix nitrogen from the air and thereby helpmaintain the fertility of the soil. It grows from year toyear without reseeding and produces from two to six cropsof forage each season, according to the length of the growingperiod. Its roots grow very deep and are thus able to drawwater and food from a large area. In the United Statesmost of the alfalfa is raised in the western states, although 192 FORAGE CROPS 193 it is being introduced into the East very rapidly. It israised all over the world, especially in South America. Alfalfa is naturally adapted to a warm climate, althoughsome strains are successfully grown where it is rather requires a well-drained soil; a high lime content also favorsgrowth. Like other legumes, it thrives only in soil contain-ing the kind of bacteria suited to grow on its roots to help. Figure 70.—A good field of alfalfa. in supplying it with nitrogen. Some soils have to be arti-ficially inoculated with the germ before they are suitable forthe growth of alfalfa. This inoculation is sometimes doneby adding pure cultures of the bacteria to the seed or soil,but it is usually better to get soil from an old alfalfa fieldwhich is known to be inoculated and spread this over thenew field at the rate of at least 100 pounds to the acre. The seed may be planted any time from April to October,but it is usually thought that April is the best time withAugust or September as the next best. The quantity ofseed to be used will depend on the soil and climate. Deep,fertile soils in moderate climates with good rainfall candevelop more seed than poor soils in dry and cold or hot 194 WESTERN AGRICULTURE regions. The quantity used varies from five to thirty poundsto the acre. The greatest care should be taken to preparethe land properly, in order to get a good, eve
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectagriculture, bookyear
