| Show ALFALFA TO IMPROVE SOILS in actual practice crop can only be ba considered on land which la Is high in fertility tho the unqualified recommendation as a soil Im improper that Is continually being glien eten alfalfa Is responsible for the nery iery common belief that this crop is one which should b tip grown gron eten on poor or unproductive soils sais rural farmer no greater mistake could li made than to sow sor at al falfa in tha F adern Fl tem states on land which I 1 is not in a high condi tion lion of fertility it is bue that being a legume it benefits tho the soil through the addition ot of niti nitrogen ogen fixed b bi organisms mb form orm ing nodules on its roots and through its roots it not only supplies consad crable quantities of 0 humus but greatly improves the mechanical condition of tile the soil in producing profitable 1 3 ields of hay bay alfalfa utilizes large quan quantities quantity titi of oc phosphorus and pot potassium which must be obtained either directly direct li from the soil or from added fertilizer NN hether alfalfa is a soil improper empron er is a question which cannot be ans answered without some explanation in the sens in which the term is commonly used alfalfa is not a soil improving crop since it cannot be utilized in the same sama manner er as cow peas soy boins beans crimson clover or hnry hairy vetch tor for the build ing up ot of m horn orn oyt out or depleted binds on the other hand it enriches the good soils through the nitrogen and humus added to the soil by its roots and crowns when nhen the old field ot of alfalla is broken up and also ill b the mechanical action ot of its roots upon the soil fur thedmore ther more the preparation of the land prior to seeding the alfalfa and the treatment in the way may ot of top dressing and fertilizing u which buch follow during the few bears ears ot of its ita existence doubtless have a ier era beneficial effect on the crops succeeding it in actual practice ahrn alfalfa improves good land but cannot be considered in connection with mith poor land |
