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 APPLIED IN/M GF I 
 
 '653 East Main street 
 
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DOMINION OF CANADA 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 
 
 ALFALFA GROWING 
 
 IN THE 
 
 VANCOUVER ISLAND DISTRICTS 
 
 By L. STEVENSON, B.S A , M.S.. 
 Superintendent Experimental Station for Vancouver Island. 
 
 Circular No. 18. 
 
 12^90—1 
 
 OTI.WV.V 
 
 THOMAS illLVKY 
 
 rniNTKR TO -iHK KlSGti Mo.ST EXCKI.I.EXT MAJICSTT 
 
 1920. i 
 
 ^t»[ior*:ir 
 
ALFALFA GROWING IN THE ISLAND DISTRICTS 
 
 Alfalfa can be suocossfully ktowii in the island disii-lets <>( Rriiish Columbia. 
 Failures have followed neglect or faulty practice, succesis has always followed the 
 approved methods applicable to ihe island districts. Weed grasses and the very limited 
 rainfall during the summer period are the factors that have held tlie development 
 of alfalfa growing in check. Failure to obtain good stands of alfalfa from the 
 practice of scattering seed on the land in ihe early spring, spread an impressinn 
 abroad that alfalfa did not do well on the islands. K-Xiteriments at the exiM^rimental 
 station for Vancouver Island indicate that all who are capable of labour and good 
 management, may succeed to the extent of three to five tons of dry hay i)er acre each 
 year. 
 
 FEEDINl! VAI.IK. 
 
 Valued from the standpoint of mimal nutrition, alfalfa has but few rivals 
 among the forage plants. Compared with oat hay, one of the most <!omnion forages, 
 which contains approximately T).'?') pounds of digestible nutrients per ton, alfalfa 
 holds its own with 1,035 jxiunds. Compared with red clover, alfalfa eotitains 100 
 jwunds more digestible protein per ton. The only rival among the coarse fodders 
 that alfalfa has is the common or spring vetch. There is no (piestioii about the 
 jmlatability of alfalfa, all animals are fond of it, pigs, chickens, cattle and horses. 
 
 Koot dcvelop.mont in soils that UtLome vny hard Uurins July and August. 
 
 VAI.l'K AS A son, IMPROVKn. 
 
 The early-growing habit of the alfalfa plant and its ability to develop a w 
 fully strong root system, make it espe< ially valuablei as a soil improvement 
 The early upring growth enables extensive root activity in the season when the island 
 hard-pan subsoils are most easily penetrated. Alfalfa will, through its early-growing 
 
 •onder- 
 ■ment crop. 
 
h;il)it, graduullv (lfT;icii thr pliiiit food i;roiluuiiig soil layer, and also the moisture 
 iisiTve area. Tlie humus and nitropon content of tlie soil layer penetrated by the 
 roots is also Rreatly inereascil by tho visorous root development and assofiated 
 nitrogen gathcrinR haeteria. The amount of nitrogen brought to the soil from the 
 iitmosrphere toy. tlier with the piiospliorus and potash brought from the lower suIkoHs 
 to tho surface layer are sntlicient to muk' alfalfa growing worth while if considered 
 as a soil improvement crop only. 
 
 rUEI'AKlNi; TIIK SOIL FOI! ALKAI.lA. 
 
 The successful alfalfa grower believes in plu .ting on a deep, fertile, naturally 
 wt;i drained soil, that is abundantly sweet; he believes in limo applications, in 
 supplying inoculating bacteria, in row seeding and tillage. It is very cnay t.. esfablis! 
 alfalfa ou a deep .soil that gives root room, plant food, moisture and air. On soil; 
 that ajc not very hospitable to plant life, good stands have been established by per- 
 .-istent effort and cure. The range of soil on which alfalfa will flourish is very wide, 
 but favourable wnditious for ba^'terial life of the aerobic <dii-s are of the greatesit 
 importance. Any land that is too wet or otherwise unsuited to tlie growth of common 
 red clover should not be used for alfalfa. Select land on which you know red clover 
 would do well; if it is not in good condition, prepare it by growing sonu; cultivated crop 
 like potatoes or mangels for one or two sejisons. The land will be eleaind in this way 
 and the soil improved in tilth. Plough deeply in the autumn, apply lime to the rough 
 liloughed surface if needed, and harrow in. An application of 2,000 pounds of 
 lime per acre is generally sufficient for the first five years. In the spring, as sixju as 
 the land is dry enough to support a team, the land should be thoroughly cultivated 
 and then left for a few days until the surface is dry enough to harrow well. If soil 
 from another alfalfa field is available, it is advised to apply such to the extent of 300 
 pounds per acre and harrow well in. This soil inoculation is best done on a dull 
 day. After thorough hrrrowing, any rubbish, stones or roots should be removed and 
 the land rolled firm and smooth, thus completing preparations for joeding. Land 
 that has good natural drainage on'y should be used. The vigouroua root development 
 of alfalfa will in time block the drains, so it is not advised to plant alfalfa close to 
 lines of tile. 
 
 THE SEKD. ' 
 
 Of the numerous varieties and strains of alfalfa tt sted at the experimental station 
 for Vancouver Island, the Ontario -legated has been the most satisfactory. It 
 has proven to be vigourous, erect in hau t of growth, early to start in the spring and 
 a late autumn grower. The Grimm alfalfa has been very successful; it hn* all the 
 good qualities of the Ontario Variegated excepting that it is not as er, . grower 
 and therefore not as suited to row culture at distances greater than eigh inches. 
 
 The yellow flower types or Cossack alfalfa have proven vigorous under coast condi- 
 tions, but not desirable in type or yield, being recumbent in growth habit and light 
 yielders of leafy fodder. Seed grown in districts that have a climate similar to, or 
 at least not any milder than the island districts of British Columbia, is to bo preferred. 
 Seed that is usually designated northern grown has proven very desirable. High 
 grade, plump seed only should be used. The Weed Control Act protects the alfalfa 
 seed purchaser against weeds excepting the Russian thistle. Seed purchasers are 
 warned against this weed. Alfalfa seed that has been seratohed or scarified, e" her 
 during or after the process of threshing, will germinate more readily than sewl ./itli 
 an unscratched .seed coat. When the .seeding of a small or large area i.s contemplated 
 it is advisable to make sure that the hard seed coat is in condition for moisture to 
 jienetrate and start germination after planting. Small <|uantities of seed can be 
 scarified by using a wooden bucket that is lined with sandpaper, putting the seed in 
 such and stirring vigorously for ten minutes with a spoon or stick, the end of which 
 
is also covered with sand or emery pupor. This is ofton not necessary but it i-* mi 
 insurance of success. If the soil does nut cnntaiti iilfalfa haeteria, then it is necojjsary 
 to treat the seed with 'he prepared alfalfa culture that is obtainable fruin the IMvi^ion 
 of Botany, Central ExiK'riniontal Farm, or tn treat with -nil from nii oUi alfalfa field. 
 If the i)repared culture i^ used, it can be ai'plii'd to the .seed by first nii.xiii^ with a 
 fiinall quantity of skim milk, then stirrin;; tliroiijili tin- si'cil in .sulHi'lcul nuaiitity to 
 moisten it. Sow at onw or let dry in the dark. 
 
 If soil is used in inoculatinR the alfalfa seed a (luantiiy of silty soil should he 
 secured and dried sufficiently under cover of darkness until it can be easily sifted free 
 of coarse particles. Om- quart ot soil is sufficient for ten pounds of seinl. Mi.\ the 
 seed and dry soil thorouj,'! y, then stir in just sufficient glue water to cause the soil 
 to adhi're to the alfalfa seed. The seed may be sown at once or sprei\d out to dry 
 in a darkeeed rocin. Remember, bright sunli^'ht will destroy the bacteria. 
 
 SEEDiro. 
 
 The 80wi:ijf of alfalfa seed under the same methods as are used in securing a 
 stand of timothy or clover has not been successful on Vancouver Island ami is not 
 advised. The seeding in rows at distai.ces apart to permit tillage has been 'ry 
 successful and is recommended. At the E.xperimental Station for Vancouver Island 
 various distances have been tested with the following results. 
 
 Average yearly yield of hay per acre: 
 
 Kows 12 inches apart. — Yield 8,465 ixDunds. Quality excellent, stems fine, erect 
 and easy to cut. 
 
 Rows 18 inches apart. — Yield 8,694 pounds. Quality excellent, stems fine, erect 
 and easy to cut. 
 
 Row- 24 inches apart. — Yield 9,347 pounds. Quality excellent, stems a little 
 coarser tl an 12 and 18-inch planting, erect and easy to cut. 
 
 Rows 30 inches apart. — Yield 10,471 pounds. Quality excellent, recumbent in 
 growth, diflBcult to cut, hay not so fine as that of the close seeding, foliage abundant. 
 
 Rows 36 inches apart. — Yield 8,155 pounds. Quality, first cut coarse, second cu; 
 exctllent, difficult to cut with mower. 
 
 Mass seeding, 48-inch strips. — Yield S 378 pound:^. Quality excellent, erect, 
 stems fine, foliage ahundant. 
 
 The results of the foregoing tests indicate that the most satisfactory returns 
 will be obtained from the 18 and 24-inch seedings. The yield was not as largo ,:s from 
 the 30-inch seeding, but the quality of the hay was suf'rior, and the harvesting was 
 much easier. The distance apart for the rows are ther'forr recommended to be not 
 less than eighteen inches or more than twenty-f r inches. Alfalfa -eed may be sown 
 in rows by hand, using a I'ne, or with an ord .iry root s. d seede 
 seed drills are available and i.re advised for ' ije areas. An ord-. 
 be adjusted to handle alf'.lfa seed in row seeding successfully. I 
 that the seed be well covered and pressed in firmly. If proi«riv ji 
 should be ■veil advanced and a large percentage of tlu' plants ah' > t? 
 A deep see' bed is not desirable. A firm and pulverircd surf.ici 
 deep, on a firm bottom, will germinate alfalfa seed lUore s^.ti^ 
 optQ seed bed. If the seed is not pres.sed in firmly, terminal 
 tmeven. On southern Vancouver Island the first week in iLi 
 desirable seeding period for alfalfa. Five pounds of seed i~ m 
 
 .Special alfalfa 
 
 V grail drill can 
 
 - very important 
 
 fed, germ i nation 
 
 ind in teti d.ivs. 
 
 tlir'^i 'nr-ln s 
 
 ti a loose 
 
 slow and 
 
 tlie most 
 
 .■ one acre. 
 
 KI'LD SIAXAGEMEXT. 
 
 Tillage during the first season to destroy the weeds that coini«u i the vuung 
 
 alfalfa plants is imperative. The young alfalfa plant is a weakling, , when once 
 established on roots that are noted for toughness and size it will sta' 1 .1 -it cW'- 
 
 tions better tiian any iifher 1 dder plant. After the alfalfa field is i- ••1. c«i. 
 
 thorough cultivation each season, preferably immediately after the first cr . en 
 
cut an.l mnorrd. h gowraUy aurficio.it. This « best dono with an ordinary gprino 
 tooth harrow tlruwii ncross the rows to tour out any grass or wmls. After cultivatiniT 
 any stones or rubbish should b<- gathered and tl... area roUed. Injury to the alfalt^i' 
 phint 18 not hkely to oe.-ur through tilh.pe. The green .■rop shoul.l be eut for bav 
 or j:.ven forage either .nnnediately before or as soon as the new shoots nnrt growth 
 Ihis IS generally wh..n the Hrst blossoms «,,p,,,r. If I..ft until ibo new shoots have 
 grown more than two mebes. injury n.ay result an.l the following .Top be redueed 
 The average dates -f alfalfa euttmg at the -xperimental station have lK>en ilav "l' 
 July 9 a.Kl August iM Cutting after Sept .mber 15 is not advised. Any green t;,'. 
 ihMt may have d..velo,K.d as a fourth erop should remain uneut for winter proteetion 
 I he l.mc requirement of alfalfa is h.rge, and must be kept up by applications of 
 
 Alfalfa swrt sown in May. photo taken in September 
 or tJie same year. Kxiierimcnfal Station. 
 
 -^ [< t; .. V *;«i? ; t'"-'i r't ^V "••■" "^ -■•-^l-ked li.„e eve.-y third 
 
 • tai i> Mn,,.,|]^ .suti.eient tor island .soils. Toi.-dns.sinp of alfalfa areas with Hio 
 
 -.ous stable manures is a good pructiee. This is best Jono aft.r b. tlird ti^ 
 
 on ..Haifa at any tini,., unless ,t ,s .Irsircl to destroy the stand Cutle and .win. 
 
 .Mumal. to the produeing eapae.ty of the tract. Cnre should be taken to prevent 
 
 ■; f ^r'u'is?; '■^"•"n f''^""^"^ "f "- »ewly-formed buds will ..uieii; L 
 ..Itnlta. ft IS not advisable to permit an alfalfa area to produce a seed crop n.ore 
 fre„ue„tly than alternate years. Favourable weather ,.,nditions ..t the time of alfdfa 
 haying are the most important factor in making good ln,y. 1„ the hum d coa t air 
 It .s generally advisable to leave the bay in swath for two davs. then rX into 
 
windrows nnil Irave for a day hcfoic -rttlnn "; mull cnck-. After scitiin,' up in 
 
 oocks it is ndvi*iil>lo to rnvpr with liay caiH n. . ; cure undiT th.sc. Tl iirintf 
 
 under hay ciip, is slow, l.ut it i> n KUiirinit.c- ,,i tt 1 hay at a niiiiimiiin expcndilnri' 
 
 of hiiiour. Alfiilia hay sliould ii.it he raked intu wiiidr .w, encked or slaeked while 
 moist from eitlni- dew nr riiin. 
 
 I'llolll (TliiN t>| SKKI). 
 
 Seed of cxeelleut <iualily has heeii pn.diieeil, •..,(! .A.'eihnt yields ohtained, at 
 the Experimental Station f,,r Van.M.nver Ishi 'i'lie i-iiid atmosphere and 
 
 relatively low ten.iKTatures duriiiR Septenil.er aii<l O. •; ; d. not favour seed 
 production from the se<'oiid jrrowth of tlie sea-nn, mid ..nly li)r'.; yields of inferior 
 seed can be expected from such in the island di-tric-ts. The li'-t (,'rowtli will, if left, 
 produce abundantly an excellent quality of s.i-d. l:,,w seeding at distances of 
 eiffhteen and twenty-four inches Rives a more uniform ripeiMiijj than the wider 
 distances of thirty and thirty-six inches. The se»'d crop has l.eeii as heavy under the 
 wider rows, but there is tendency toward an all too abundant second tii'uvtli, ami 
 iinrvestinjf ditficuitiea develop lu^h the presence of new irrovfh and taii^'led 
 
 recumbent plants. With the .1 • rows the plants stand ui> U'lter and the harvest 
 is made much easier. Rij)e a • ,■ fn seed pods, and freiiuently hlooin, may Im- ..m tl,,- 
 same seed plant. The alfalfa ^.ip d.HS not riiKMi uniformly, and therefore iniisf be 
 harvested when indications are for the saving of the largest (juandty of seed. When 
 two-thirds of the seed pods have turned iin.wii, it is advised to harvest liie crop. 
 This stage of ripeness is generally reached about August 15 on Vi.ncouver l>land. 
 The harvesting is best done with a mower that is fitted with a l)un<'hing attiiclmient. 
 A binder or reaper can be a<ed if the crop is standing erect. After cutting, tlie seed 
 crop is pjt up in small cocks and ci>vered with hay caps. Tlireshiiig is best <loiie with 
 a clover huller during dry weather. If no clnver liuUer is ,it hand, the threshing can 
 he done with an ordinary grain thresher. ])rovidiiig some .idjustiiients are made and 
 the material put through the machine several times. 
 
 ENKMIKS. 
 
 All weeds that compete witli the alfalfa plant for moisture and plant food are 
 undesirable. By using well prepared, (dean, weed-free s<iil for alfalfa growing and 
 practisir rat'onal illagc, the weed enemy will not be serious unless dodder is 
 introdut ' it the time of seeding. l)od<ler is a i>arasitic jilant, capable of fpiiekly 
 dcstroyii dfalfa or red clover. If small patches apiiear of this twining, leafless, 
 ■ hrcTdlike parasite, cut and burn at onc<'. 
 
 i^af six)t is a fungus which attacks the leaves, c:iu>iiig them to turn yellow and 
 '"■11. If present, cut the crop and remove at nnee to other hind fi^- curing. 'I'lic hav 
 -. ill be useful fur feed, but it is de>ii-able that the iiilVeticti be removed from the 
 area so that the ne.xt crop will not be iitfecteil. 
 
 roNf!.i sm.v. 
 
 The demand for alfalfa hay and meal and the high pri<-es paid for such are an 
 indication of the value of this crop to island fanners and poultry keepers. The 
 .•ibility to grow alfidfa su. eessfully has been fully aemoi.stratrd by the Experimental 
 Station, railures of the past have been caused by improper methods of seeding and 
 neglect of the factors which make alfalfa a success, viz.. a naturally well-drained soil 
 lime, inoculation, row smiing and tillage. An alfalfa field will last, if pror>erly 
 established and managed, for a period as h.iig as a man is actively useful on a farm. 
 Why plough and pick up stones every year r (Jet i to something permanent, a crop 
 that will withstand the dry summers and give a f id return. Try a few rows and 
 ^ain a first-hand acquaintance with one of the i.est fodder plants that is not as 
 extensively grown as its usefulness warrants on Vancouver and adjacent inlands of the 
 Pacific.