anaheim-gazette 1918-03-21

A vote for the Citiz GUARAN Consideration of Regard for the pe No alignment wit In short, a citizen' WALTE ANIMAL PRODUCTION DEPENDS ON ALFALFA Is the Coming California Forage Crop Says an Expert "The one best bet in California today is alfalfa." This is the statement made last week by a man closely in touch with crop and marketing conditions, in discussing the campaign for increased production of feeds for the year 1918. "In this matter of food production," he added, "it is time we got down to basic principles. Unless we are to become a nation of vegetarians we must keep up our supply of live stock. Even most vegetarians depend upon such animal products as milk, butter and cheese and eggs. With feed for all kinds of stock higher than ever before, one of two things is bound to happen. Either we are going to produce more forage, more hay, more fodder, more grain, more stock feed of one kind or another, or our supply of cattle and hogs and sheep and poultry is going to fall far below the normal. Our food problem is rapidly getting thinner by farming without good prospect of reward. Here is where alfalfa, in the minds of many who are competent to judge, is the best means to many ends. For taking one year with another, considering the investment and labor involved, no crop will produce surer returns always provided, of course that the conditions necessary for its success are not wanting. Alfalfa is fed to stock in five forms; as pasture, cut and fed green, cured as hay, as silage and in the form of a highly nutritious meal. Its feeding value is high, and it has a large percentage of protein, which is the essential muscle forming, body building nutrient. Alfalfa hay analyzes 81.6 per cent dry matter, of which 11 per cent is protein an d39.67 per cent carbohydrates, the balance being mostly cellulose, with a small percentage of mineral ash. The feeding value of an acre of alfalfa is best realized when it is compared to some such staple grain crops corn or milo maize. An acre of either of these grains will ordinarily not yield more than two tons of grain, even with two crops harvested in a farm. Alfalfa has a deep penetration which penetrates the depth of from ten to within three weeks after der favorable condition plentifully supplied with etation or humus facilitating. Good drainage is vent the root from the investigation has der ordinary condition without subirrigation, of an alfalfa field are per four or five feet, extend much farther lence has proven thanquent light irrigation to heavier irrigations intervals, especially The lighter irrigation keep up our supply of live stock. Even most vegetarians depend upon such animal products as milk, butter and cheese and eggs. With feed for all kinds of stock higher than ever before, one of two things is bound to happen. Either we are going to produce more forage, more hay, more fodder, more grain, more stock feed of one kind or another, or our supply of cattle and hogs and sheep and poultry is going to fall far below the normal. Our food problem is rapidly getting to be a feeding problem. "All things considered, alfalfa will produce more stock feed per acre in California than any other crop, when given the conditions it requires. Therefore, every acre of land in California which is suitable for this, the king of forage crops, should be planted to alfalfa within the next month or two." "We are predicting $40 a ton as the price of alfalfa hay next winter," said a representative of a big seed house, "because the production of alfalfa has not been kept up at the same rate as the increase of the animals which are largely dependent upon this feed for their existence. The shortage of hay in the state of California today is one of the most serious problems we have to contend with, principally because of the long period of drought we have gone through. Every farmer who has suitable acreage should begin at once to prepare it for the seeding of alfalfa." This seems to be the condition in a nutshell. Southern California needs more forage crops and needs them badly. But no amount of preaching is going to induce more than a very few to plant any feed crop unless they are pretty sure they are going to make money thereby. People are disposed to show their patriotism in other ways The feeding value of an acre of alfalfa is best realized when it is compared to some such staple grain crops corn or milo malze. An acre of either of these grains will ordinarily not yield more than two tons of grain, even with two crops harvested in a single season. An acre of alfalfa yields ordinarily six tons of hay in a season. The two tons of corn or milo malze contain around 320 pounds of protein and about 2680 pounds of carbohydrates. The six tons of alfalfa hay contain 1320 pounds of protein and 4800 pounds of carbohydrates. Both yield considerable valuable roughage. The margin in favor of alfalfa is striking. The conditions essential to successful alfalfa production are comparatively few, but they are highly important. Suitable soil, available water for irrigation, thorough and proper preparation of the seed bed; care in the selection of seed; and needed attention given at the right time—the product of these five factors is in Southern California from six to ten tons of the best all round forage plant as yet known to science. There are some facts in regard to alfalfa that every grower may profitably bear in mind. It is a legume and therefore has the unique ability to draw nitrogen from the soil, but in order to do this it is essential that the plants be supplied with nitrogen-gathering bacteria. Unless the grower is certain that the soil is supplied with these it is necessary to supply them in inoculation. The easiest method is by the use of pure cultures Investigation has shown ordinary conditions without subirrigation, of an alfalfa field are per four or five feet, the extent much farther hence has proven thatquent light irrigationsto heavier irrigationsintervals, especiallyThe lighter irrigationof lent water to penetrate four or five feet of roots are found, whithions penetrate below ing water. Undoubted could be kept molt the roots would follow this is not the case. While fall planting ored by mank growers has been attained when plated as late though March and April. Alfalfa is quite regard to soil. Whilately heavy loam, wi from twelve to twenty no hard pan between grown on the lightest on heavy adobe. The sub irrigated soil is a rooting and less deprigation. Deep plowing before rule. Too much caren en to leveling for irri of the later success pends upon this. Or the border method be used. In the first plats are surrounded and flooded. When usual slope of the land ed into long strips v ANAHEIM GAZETTE The Citizen Ticket is like a vote for This Ticket GRANTES ABSOLUTELY on of your opinion. the people's will. ent with special interest or factio citizen's rule for the Citizens of WALTER AMSTUTZ Proposed PED A BACKS Jr WALTER AMSTUTZ Proposed RED A. BACKS, Jr. Indorsed GEORGE E. DUTTON Proposed of bacteria obtainable from seedsmen. Inoculation can also be accomplished by distributing soil from an established alfalfa field over the new field at the rate of about 200 pounds of soil to the acre and harrowing it in before seeding. A more troublesome method is to dip the alfalfa seed in water in which soil and roots from an alfalfa field have been soaked. The seed is then dried and planted. Alfalfa has a deep feeding tap root, which penetrates the ground to a depth of from ten to fifteen inches within three weeks after planting, under favorable conditions. A deep soil plentifully supplied with decaying vegetation or humus facilitates deep rooting. Good drainage is essential to prevent the root from decaying. Investigation has shown that, under ordinary conditions of irrigation, without subirrigation, most of the roots of an alfalfa field are found in the upper four or five feet, though some may extend much farther down. Experience has proven that somewhat frequent light irrigations are preferable to heavier irrigations given at longer intervals, especially on porous soils. The lighter irrigations supply sufficient water to be used vary greatly. One rule, however, is quite generally accepted. That is, to irrigate about ten days before each cutting. contour of the land must decide. After the land is leveled it is generally necessary to give it a second plowing, followed by a harrowing to break up all clods. As a compact seed bed is highly desirable, the roller is often used to advantage. A disk cultivator with the bar set straight is also recommended for producing a firm seed bed. The selection of alfalfa seed is of prime importance. The variety must be left to individual choice. But it should be free from weed seed and should be tested for fertility. Drilling the seed at the rate of from 12 to 15 pounds to the acre is recommended, though broadcasting as much as 20 pounds to the acre is also practiced. The seed is covered to a depth of from one half inch in heavy soils to one and a half inches in the lighter ones. While irrigation may be necessary before planting, or even, under some conditions, after seeding, the young plants should not be irrigated until after the third or fourth true leaf appears. The number of irrigations and the amount of water to be used vary greatly. One rule, however, is quite generally accepted. That is, to irrigate about ten days before each cutting. five million feet and over, indicate a total production of 1,293,345,000 fet. b.m. in 1917, according to Acting District Forester Headley, who has charge of the federal lumber census for the state. In 1916 the cut of fifty mills of thin capacity was 1,311,536,000 ft. The cut of identical mills for 1917 was 1,293,612,000 ft., a decrease of 17,924,000 ft. b.m. JAP TOMATO GROWERS WANT EXORBITANT PRICE Food Administration Fixes the Figure at $15 a Ton There has been some contention between the tomato growers of Southern California, particularly the Japanese growers, as to the price they should be paid for their crops. The Japanese demand $19 a ton, while most of the American growers are satisfied with $15, which, however, is far in excess of any previous price paid for this article of food. After exhaustive investigation, the national Food Administration at Washington has notified all the Southern California canneries that tenders Good drainage is essential to prevent the root from decaying. Investigation has shown that, under ordinary conditions of irrigation, without subirrigation, most of the roots of an alfalfa field are found in the upper four or five feet, though some may extend much farther down. Experience has proven that somewhat frequent light irrigations are preferable to heavier irrigations given at longer intervals, especially on porous soils. The lighter irrigations supply sufficient water to penetrate through the four or five feet of soil in which the roots are found, while heavier irrigations penetrate below the roots, wasting water. Undoubtedly if the soil could be kept moist to a great depth the roots would follow, but ordinarily this is not the case. While fall planting of alfalfa is favored by mank growers, striking success has been attained with this crop when plated as late as May or June, though March and April are to be preferred. Alfalfa is quite adaptable in regard to soil. While a deep, moderately heavy loam, with surface water from twelve to twenty feet down, and no hard pan between, is the ideal, it is grown on the lightest sandy loam and on heavy adobe. The advantages of sub irrigated soil is apparent in deeper rooting and less dependence upon irrigation. Deep plowing before leveling is the rule. Too much care cannot be given to leveling for irrifation, as much of the later success of the crop depends upon this. Either the check or the border method of irrigation may be used. In the first checks or plats are surrounded with low levees and flooded. When there is a gradual slope of the land, is may be divided into long strips with levues. The seed is covered to a depth of from one half inch in heavy soils to one and a half inches in the lighter ones. While irrigation may be necessary before planting, or even, under some conditions, after seeding, the young plants should not be irrigated until after the third or fourth true leaf appears. The number of irrigations and the amount of water to be used vary greatly. One rule, however is quite generally accepted. That is, to irrigate about ten days before each cutting. The proper time for cutting is indicated by a vigorous stand with here and there a blossom. At this time new growth has appeared at the crown of the plants and it is this new growth that gives the next cutting. Six to eight cutting a year producing from six to ten tons to the acre are usual in Southern California. With the wonderfully favorable climatic and soil conditions of the Imperial Valley the maximum is commonly attained there, where cotton and alfalfa are striving for leadership. It is customary to pasture alfalfa fields during the winter. Many hog raisers supply alfalfa pasture most of the year, alternating from one field to another and keeping the hogs off when the ground is wet. Too close pasturing is detrimental. With a small ration of grain, hogs so pastured go to market in excellent condition. The labor involved in such hog production is comparatively small, the health of the hogs is usually remarkably good and the advantage to the soil considerable. DECREASE IN LUMBER CUT Reports received to date from sawmills in California cutting annually tween the tomato growers of Southern California, particularly the Japanese growers, as to the price they should be paid for their crops. The Japanese demand $19 a ton, while most of the American growers are satisfied with $15, which, however, is far in excess of any previous price paid for this article of food. After exhaustive investigation, the national Food Administration at Washington has notified all the Southern California canneries that tenders for government orders on tomatoes will not be accepted from canneries that have paid more than $15 a ton at the cannery. The government contends that $15 is a fair price and is far more than any previous market quotation. The quotation last year was $9 a ton. It is said that the Japanese tomato growers, whose product represents 75 per cent of the entire tomato crop of this district, are holding out for the higher price, but it is believed that the action of the government now will make them come into line. The Canner's association of Southern California went on record last week to support the government and the government's regulated price for tomatoes. The annual output of the entire tomato canning industry of the United States last year was 15,000,000 cases and it is expected that it will exceed this in 1918. Between 5,000,000 and 8,000,000 cases will be needed by the army and navy, as it has been proved that tomato juice is an excellent substitute for water for men in the trenches cut off from the water supply. The price set by the government varies for different sections of the country. In Maryland, the govern- vote for yourself. LUTELY: faction. ens of Anaheim. Proposed Proposed Indorsed Proposed Citizens of Anaheim. WILL BE DISCIPLINED Three months in the stockade will be the punishment of the nine members of Company L will get for overstaying their passes and for leaving camp without passes. Sergeant Buck Fippa came from Camp Kearny to get three of the men who are being detained in the county jail. He returned Thursday with them. The three men who overstayed the time indicated on their passes are Ayers, Slaven and Hartman. They returned to the camp. Three men are still missing. They are Tripp of San Jacinto, Red Nichols of Orange and Ross of Anabeim. The nine boys "beat it" from Kerny on a freight train last Monday night. They will not be classed as deserters unless they fail to report middlings, four parts bran, two parts beef scrap, and two parts of either peanut meal, soy bean meal or velvet bean meal. All chege parts are by weight. A similar ration containing cottonseed meal has been fed with good results for over one year. The percentage of protein in these feeds was as follows: Beef scrap, 50 to 55; soy bean meal, 44; cottonseed meal, 38; peanut meal, 28; and velvet bean meal 19. The egg yield for the first three months has been fairly good with all of these feeds, but not quite as good as has been secured from the use of a normal amount of beef scrap. The highest egg yield was secured from the peanut meal; nearly as good results from the soy bean meal, but only a fair egg yield from the velvet bean meal. It would appear that all of these feeds are worthy of a trial, used with beef scrap, in sections where they are easily secured. These tests will have to be carried through a considerable period of time to accurately determine the relative value of these feeds. REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE A call has been issued for the purpose of holding a conference of republicans of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties at Riverside Saturday afternoon. It is proposed that republicans of each of these counties through its central committee, directly or indirectly, select delegates, including a representation of women. It has long been recognized that the interests of the three counties are so closely allied that there should be a unity of action in many matters. This is particularly true in relation to state legislative affairs. The fact that the three counties are directly interested in the control of the Santa Ana river has probably brought them closer together than ever before and that has probably had something to do with the advisability of securing some unity of action in state legislative matters. Just what course will be followed by the delegates at Riverside is not known. Whether or not it will be advisable for the republicans of the three counties to enter into a plan of procedure in relation to the gubernatorial campaign will very likely be discussed.