THE FARM.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 35, 10 February 1904, Page 6

THE FARM.

HISTORY OF ALFALFAAlfalfa is probably the most ancient forage plant of which we have any record (says W. J. Spillmau, agrostolog'st to the United states Department of Agriculture). ).; tvus cultivated extensively on the irrigated fields of Babylon, and it is known to have been the principal hay in the stables of the ancient Persian monarchs. It was brought from Persia ■to Greece about 470 8.C., and it? cultivation began in Italy about 200 B.C. It is mentioned by a number of Latin writers, especially Virgil, Varro, and Columella. From Italy it was introduced into Spain in the sixteenth century, and thence spread to many parts of the world. Its introduction into the United States seems to have been through the Spanish missionaries, at an early day. going up the western coast of the continent from Mexico and oSuth America. The name alfalfa is of Arabic origin, and has persistently followed the planr throughout La>tin 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 number 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 favour its development. Alfalfa has always been the standard hay plant of arid America, where it is jrown almost exclusively under irrigation, lv those parts of the irrigated section, where the soil and climate are favourable, alfalfa is indeed a marvellous plant In Southern California, where irrigation water is plentiful and intelligently applied, five crops of hay are cut in a single season, while as far north as Central Washington three good crops are secured, and, in exceptional seasons, four. Unfortunately, alfalfa is somewhat particular as regards soil and climate. From its habit of growth, it is not suitable to heavy clay soils, or soils underlaid by clay hardpan. Its roots penetrate very deeply, and if the soil is of proper texture, it is no uncommon thing for the roots to penetrate the soil from iiiteen to twenty feet. In exceptional instances roots have been known to penetrate the soil more thau a hundred feet. This great depth of root growth enables alfalfa to draw up stores of plant food that gives it great longevity. Many alfalfa fields in the West are yielding good crops of hay after having been cut for twenty-five years. Lt is seldom wise to leave a held of alfalfa for so long a time as this, because plants will be killed out here and there by tramping, making the stand thinner and thinner. and allowing weeds 'to get a start; but as long as the stand is good, and weeds do not bother, there is no object iv ploughing 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, ill not too large quantities; long hot summers, and winters not too severe. Where these conditions 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 hi 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 nitrogen it contains. Most of the hay crops of this country contain too little nitrogen, and it is necessary for the stockman to make up this deficiency by buying expensive mill products, such as cottonseed meal or linseed oil take. Alfalfa is one of those plants which draw a large amount of nitrogen from the atmosphere. It enriches the ground upon which if. grows as far as nitrogen is concerned, and it has been found that, almost without exception, a grain crop following alfalfa makes pheiiornrnal yields. Some recent experiment, indicate 'that when alfalfa hay is run through a shredder and pulverised, it is übuost equal, pound for pound, to bran as a food for cattie. When stockmen learn this it will certainly have a decided effect upon the cost of keeping live slock, particularly dairy cows, in these sections where alfalfa is grown. Anotl.er point that should not be overlooked is the increased value of the farmyard manure when live stock are fed rich nitrogenous food like alfalfa hay. Although alfalfa is somewhat particular as to soil and climate, or rather, it should be said, responds readily to favourable conditions of soil and climate, it is at the same time widely distributed in this country. On 'the Pacific coast it has been cultivated 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 proved itself perfectly at home. It has also done well in Mississippi, and other southe-n States, and last year a farmer in New York reports five tons per acre, This shows that the range of the adaptability of this plant is greater than was previously supposed.

During recent years agricultural explorers have endeavoured to find varieties of alfalfa that were more hardy with reference to cold, and that could be grown on arid lands without irrigation. Their efforts have been partially successful. It was mentioned in the first part cf this article that alfalfa was known to the ancient. Persians and Babylonians. It is still extensively cullivaied in western and southern Asia, and several varieties of it have been re-

cently secured from Turkestan and adjacent regions. MARKET POULTRY. lt lias always, puzzled the beginner in poultry raising to know what breed of fowls to select for his start in the business. If he seeks Lhe advice of poultry raisers he will get all sorts of information in regard to ''the best breed." The I beginner, at best, mast buy his knowi ledge, and the sooner he commences to j read up o» breeds and their special fitness for meat and egg production, the sooner he will he protected in his effort at raising poultry. There are breeds of fowls better suited for market poultry than others. It is a well known fact that some breeds of chickens arc excellent layers, so exclusively layers that they cannot be induced to set: these varieties are without question the best egg producing breed, and should not be mixed up with or attempted to take the place of breeds that are meat fowls, because of their meat producing properties and tendencies. The medium sized fowls are most generally the be.it market fowls, because they mature quickly, maintain a plump, fleshy form, and are good weighers. They are "active, hustle for a part of their living when given a chance, and, all things considered, are most satisfactory with the majority of poultry raisers who are aiming to raise market poultry. As to the best breed, there are several, and of all colours to t suit the fancy. It is a disputed question whether pure bred or cross-bred fowls make the best market fowls. In this relation we would recommend getting the pure bred fo\W.; then, if you want to experiment on some cross-bred stock, it is an easy matter to do so, and an easy matter to get back if the experiment docs not prove satisfactory. The field is large in poultry breeding. There are breeds for all fanciers. There is a big demand for all the market poultry that can be raised, good, bad and indifferent. But remember the market is discriminating more closely on quality, and it pays to breed, to suit the demands of the consumers. —"Nebraska Farmer. ' POULTRY SCBATCHINGS. The total value of the poultry and eggs produced iv the United States in the last census year was two hundred ajid eighty-one millions, one hundred and seventy-eight thousand, two hundred and forty-seven dollars. The industry was worth more than all the cattle and hogs slaughtered in the country. It was worth more than the wheat crop of twentv-.-ight stales and territories, and the value of eggs produced was alone higher than that of the combined gold and silver product of the United States in any year since 1850, excepting IS9O, when the previous metals exceeded the e<*gs by nine millions, four hundred and eighteen thousand, one hundred and eighty "five dollars. Effect of Former Matings.—There are not a few people who believe that former matings have an effect upon progeny produced from subsequent unions. For myself, says a correspondent in ''Fanner and " Stockbreeder," I have never been able to see the least trace of it. although I have often carefully watched for it, and indeed made some special experiments to test it. I know of other breeders who have experimented and come to the same conclusion as myself, viz.. that there is nothing in it; but every now and then we come across someone who asserts the contrary and gives some particulars to back hi 3 opinion. I am quite sure, how«r7er, that when a hen's chickens vary widely in characteristics she has either been crossed with a foreign cock unknown to her owner, or her own pedigree is not faultless. Coops for Fattening.—Fattening may be done out of doors in properly sheltered coops. These may be built in series of three or four, the backs, tops, and ends being perfectly weather proof, and the fronts and bottoms of spars. The front spars should be vertical, with spaces of two inches, and the bottom spars should run from end to end, that is from right to left when facing the coop. The roof should project six inches over the front, and the whole should be placed in a shat.ed position facing north. Each compartment should be about two feet wide , a similar measurement from front to back and in height, and will holu four birds. A curtain of canvas or bagging should be attached, to pull down over the front when required, and troughs must be provided for food, grit, and water, though during the last week the latter will scarcely be required. Good Place for Ducks.—Creeks and small streams that tend to be overrun with watercress and other aquatic plants may be kept free from such, and a considerable source of revenue obtained by keeping ducks and geese. Indeed, those who care for poultry, and there should be few in the country who do not. should consider themselves fortunate in having such a place. Ducks are in their native element in a creek, and find there a great variety of animal and vegetable feed; they will need very little marketable grain and will thrive much better than they will in quarters less to their liking and where the water supply is limited. There is some danger from mink and turtles, but there are a few things to contend vdth in all industries. Aside from being good for the ducks and helping pay the grocery bill the water in the streum will be in better condition and the country around will be more healthful both for man and beast, than if the water was allowed to stagnate.