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2 ALFALFA - THE GREAT CROP TOR FORAGE AT PRESENT. Able Paper From the Pen of W. J. Spill man of the United States Depart ment of Agriculture. A large proportion of our readers are directly interested in growing al falfa, and even those who are not will find the following well written and readable article from W. J. Splllman, agrostologist of the United States de partment of Agriculture well worth reading. Alfalfa is probably the most ancient forage plant of which we have any record. It was cultivated extensively on the irrigated fields of Babylon, and it is known to have been the principal hay in the stables of the ancient Per sian monarchs. It was brought from Persia to Greece about 470 B. C, and its cultivation . began in Italy about 200 13. C. It is mentioned by a num ber of Latin writers, especially Virgil, Varro and Columella. From Italy it was introduced into Spain in the six teenth century, and thence spread to many parts of the world. Its introduc tion into the United States seems to have been through the Spanish mis sionaries, at an early day, going up the western coast of the continent from Mexico and South America. Origin of the Name.. The name alfalfa is of Arabic origin and has persistently followed the plant throughout Latin America and into those parts of America in which the Spaniards introduced it. The plant is not unknown in the eastern United States, having been introduced a num ber of times from western Europe, particularly from France, where it is known as "lucerne," but it has never gained a foothold in the east, at least, until the last few years. It is now being introduced under its proper name "alfalfa." At present there is a genuine craze among the farmers of the eastern half of the United States concerning this plant and some of its more important varieties. It will undoubtedly become the leading hay crop of the east in those sections where soil and climate favor its de velopment. Alfalfa has always been the stan dard hay plant of arid America, where it is grown almost exclusively under irrigation. In those parts of the irri gated section where the soil and cli mate are favorable alfalfa is indeed a marvelous plant. In Southern Califor nia, where irrigation water- is plenti ful, and intelligently applied five crops of hay are cut. in a single sea son, while as far north as central Washington three good crops are se cured, and, in exceptional seasons four. Proper Conditions Necessary. Unfortunately alfalfa is somewhat particular as regards soil and climate. From its habit of growth it is not suit ed to heavy clay soils, or soils under-; layed by clay hardpan. Its roots pene trate very deeply and if the soil is of proper texture it is no uncommon thing for the roots to penetrate the soil from fifteen to twenty feet. In exceptional instances roots have been known to penetrate the soil more than a hundred feet. This great depth of root growth enables alfalfa to draw up stores of plant food that aro unavail able to ordinary crops and gives it great longevity. Many alfalfa fields in the west aro yielding good crops of hay after having been cut for twenty- five years. It is seldom wise to leave a field of alfalfa for so long a time as this, because plants will be killed out here and there by tramp ing, making the stand thinner and thinner and allowing weeds to get n start; but as long as the stand is good and weeds do not bother there is no object in plowing up an alfalfa field. For its best development this crop requires a deep sandy loam free from standing water within several feet of the surface; abundant water to be preferably applied at stated intervals by irrigation, in not too large quan tities; long hot summers and winters not too severe. Where these condi tions exist alfalfa has no competitor as a hay producer, but it will thrive on a good many types of soil; in fact, almost anywhere except in .stiff clays, light dry sands and wet soils. The great value of alfalfa lies in its great yielding power, its palatability to stock and the large amount of nitro gen it contains. Most of the hay crops of this country contain too lit tlo nitrogen and it is necessary for the stockman to make up this de ficiency by buying expensive mill products, such as cottonseed meal, linseed oil cake, etc. Alfalfa is one of those plants which draw a large amount of nitrogen from the atmos phere. It enriches the ground upon which it grows as far as nitrogen is concerned, and it has been found that, almost without exception, a grain crop following alfalfa makes phenom enal yields. Equal to Bran When Treated Properly. Some recent experiments indicate that when alfalfa hay is run through a shredder and pulverized it is almost equal, pound for pound, to bran as a food for cattle. When stockmen learn this it will certainly have a decided effect upon the cost of keeping live stock, particularly dairy cows, in those sections where alfalfa is grown. Another point that should not be over looked is the increased value of the farm yard manure when live stock are fed rich nitrogenous food like alfalfa hay. Although alfalfa is somewhat par ticular as to soil and climate, or rather, it should be said, responds readily to favorable conditions of soil and climate, it is at the same time widely distributed in this country. On the Pacific Coast it has been culti rated from Southern California to the British line and even beyond. It Is not grown west of the coast range of mountains, but in the interior valleys of the coast States it has proven itself perfectly at home. It has also done well in Louisiana, Mississippi and the Buy Your Boots and Gloves by Mail |ni Just one pair — from us. We carry the largest assorted stock on the /d% coast. There's quality and economy for you here on these goods. Tt * - /I A^3dl Send us size of your hands and feet, stating for what purpose you W£ ft * ' Ijflra' wish them, and about the price you would care to pay. Try us on one trial order. wliw 5 -& °-'V -V«r /cSM Boots up from per pair $Q Kfi ; Cloves up from per pair .25 ijP*?; 1 -' -^■Vrjf Don't uf the fact that we guarantee satisfaction on £$£', " > '- •/'•," -V\ Ifek' .-,/ Lose Tents, Awnings, Canvas Clothing, Shaw Duck JBBr A'^-Jl Ysl: , 'r^a Sight Clothing. We make your goods to order at Wf**-' ' ; '4^MW * Factory Prices' W*-- \S« Complete Canvas Suits consisting of Coat, 4ffc M ffcfl |j '^S Vest, Pants and Hat, to order up from . . ag^i'^X&L Send for self-measurement slip. Headquarters for Hunting ]^'-v iv "\^^ Goods, Sporting Goods, Bicycles. ilfc^ibw WM. H. HOEGEE CO. Los Angeles, Cal. 130-1 40- 142 So. Main Street : Union Hardware and Metal Co. z\V HOLESALE ONLY^=^- OUR GUARANTEE <q|SERY 'W^uEP' OF EXCELLENCE BUILDERS' HARDWARE AND SUPPLIES, IRRIGATING, MINING AND GRADING TOOLS, FENCING MATERIAL AND BLACKSMITHS' SUPPLIES, WE HAVE A COMPLETE STOCK. LOS ANGELES. p"one. private exchange 92 CALIFORNIA IMPERIAL PRESS other (Southern States, and last year a lamier in i>ew lork reports live tons per acre, 'mis snows mat tne range ox tne adaptauility of tms plant is greater than was previously suppose", uumig recent years agricmtuiai ex plorers nave endeavored to tinu vune lies of aiialia tnat were more haruy with reference to cold and tnat couiu be grown on and lands wltnout Irri gation. Their efforts nave been par uany successnu. it was mentioned in me liist part of tnis article tnat ai laifa was Known to the ancient Per sians and iiabylonians. It is still ex tensively cultivated in western and southern Asia, and several varieties of it have been recently secured trom Tumestan and adjacent regions. Some of these give promise of being able to withstand the winter of our •states, and it is possible tnat we may yet find varieties that will compete with sage brush on arid lands. Remarkable Interest Shown. The interest whicn tne general pub lic has taken in Turkenstan alfalfa is remarkable. The United States de partment of agriculture and the State department experiment station are be sieged daily with requests for infor mation concerning this plant and for packages of seed. Unfortunately tne seed crop Jast year seems to have been a failure nearly everywhere, and it has been impossible to extend the cultivation of Turkestan alfalfa dur ing the season. Every effort will be made to secure seed for distribution another year in order that the limits of its cultivation may be ascertained. It is probable that we may find varie ties superior to those already tried. Owing to the great interest involved, extensive investigation in this direc tion would certainly be justified.—Pa cific Tree and Vine. The man who declares that the world owes him a living always finds out when it is to late that the world is an awfully slow liquidator of its debts. It is a foolish man that throws himself in the way of temptation for the purpose of ascertaining if he is able to resist it. It would seem like old times to again see a girl with her head wrapped up in a "nuby." There are a lot of people who never give with either hand for fear the other will find it out. The joy of giving is increased by the necessity of working for what is given. "All the world's a stage," and too many supes endeavor to play leads. Only one thing is easier than mak ing a good resolution — breaking it. Some men never know they have a heart until something hurts it. Baking powder would not make some men rise in the world. It takes something more than fur niture to fit up a home. The praying Christian is never in doubt. BRYDOM BROS. HARNESS AND SADDLERY CO. (INCORPORATED) • Wholesale and Retail Manufacturers of Harness and Saddlery Goods, Blankets, Robes Whips and Turf Goods. 239 So. Main St. LOS ANGELES, CAL.