,transcriber's ,notes ,texts printed in italics and bold face have been transcribed between underscores and equal signs respectively4 ,small capitals have been replaced with ,,all ,,capitals4 ,more ,transcriber's ,notes may be found at the end of this text4 ,illustration3 ,f4 ,d4 ,coburn ,it is the pleasure of the publishers to present to those who are interested in alfalfa1 the man who declined an appointment as ,united ,states ,senator1 that he might continue to direct the affairs of the ,kansas ,state ,board of ,agriculture in general and of farmers in particular4--,orange ,judd ,company4 ,the ,book of ,alfalfa ,,history1 ,,cultivation ,,and ,,merits4 ,,its ,,uses ,,as ,a ,,forage ,,and ,,fertilizer4 ,illustration 99 99 99 99 ,spanish clover1 such as has ,usurped the ,occident and dwells ,on ,sacramento's sundown hills1 ,and all the verdant valley fills ,with fragrance sweet and delicate ,as wooing breath of woman is4 --,joaquin ,miller4 ,by ,f4 ,d4 ,,coburn ,secretary ,kansas ,department of ,agriculture4 ,illustrated #aiab ,,orange ,,judd ,,company ,new ,york ,copyright1 #aijf by ,,orange ,,judd ,,company ,new ,revised ,edition ,copyrighted #aijg by ,,orange ,,judd ,,company ,all ,rights ,reserved ,printed in the ,u4 ,s4 ,a4 ,illustration3 ,,there ,,are ,,some ,,silent ,,subsoilers ,,that ,,do ,,their ,,work ,,with ,,ease1 ,,and ,,in ,,their ,,way1 ,,more ,,effectually ,,than ,,any ,,team ,,or ,,plow ,,ever ,,hitched4 ,,the ,,clover ,,plant ,,is ,,righteously ,,famed ,,as ,,one ,,of ,,these1 ,,but ,,alfalfa ,,is ,,its ,,superior4 ,,its ,,roots ,,work1 ,,sunday ,,as ,,well ,,as ,,saturday1 ,,night ,,and ,,day2 ,,they ,,strike #e1 #aj1 #ae ,,or #bj ,,feet ,,deep1 ,,making ,,innumerable ,,perforations1 ,,while ,,storing ,,up ,,nitrogen1 ,,and ,,when ,,these ,,roots ,,decay ,,they ,,leave ,,not ,,only ,a ,,generous ,,supply ,,of ,,fertility ,,for ,,any ,,desired ,,crop1 ,,but ,,millions ,,of ,,openings ,,into ,,which ,,the ,,air ,,and ,,rain ,,of ,,heaven ,,find ,,their ,,way1 ,,and ,,help ,,to ,,constitute ,,an ,,unfailing ,,reservoir ,,of ,,wealth1 ,,upon ,,which ,,the ,,husbandman ,,can ,,draw ,,with ,,little ,,fear ,,of ,,protest ,,or ,,overdrafts4 8,its long1 branching roots penetrate far down1 push and crowd the earth this way and that1 and thus constitute a gigantic subsoiler4 ,these become an immense magazine of fertility4 ,as soon as cut1 they begin to decay and liberate the vast reservoir of fertilizing matter below the plow1 to be drawn upon by other crops for years to come40 ,the ,author's ,foreword ,this volume1 however strong its statements in favor of alfalfa may appear to those unacquainted with that plant's productivity and beneficence1 is by no means presented as an argument that everyone should raise alfalfa4 ,it is intended rather as a conservative setting forth of what others have found alfalfa to be and do under wide variations of soil1 climate1 condition and locality2 of its characteristics and uses2 the most approved methods of its raising and utilization1 and the estimates of it by those who have known it most intimately and longest as a farm forage crop and a restorer and renovator of the soil4 ,the author believes in alfalfa2 he believes in it for the big farmer as a profit-bringer in the form of hay1 or condensed into beef1 pork1 mutton1 or products of the cow2 but he has a still more abiding faith in it as a mainstay of the small farmer2 for feed for all his live stock and for maintaining the fertility of the soil4 ,to avoid the appearance of both special pleading and exaggeration the statements have been guarded1 and many of a laudatory nature1 which fully authenticated facts seemed to justify1 have been omitted1 as neither the author nor the publishers have desire or willingness to extol unduly a commodity so little needing it as that of which the volume treats4 ,alfalfa's strongest commendations are invariably from those who know it best2 none are incredulous who know it well1 and none have grown it but wished their acreage increased4 ,f4 ,d4 ,,coburn4 ,topeka1 ,kansas4 #aijf ,introductory ,,by ,former ,governor ,w4 ,d4 ,hoard1 of ,wisconsin ,editor ,hoard's ,dairyman ,i am exceedingly gratified by the preparation and publication of a new and larger work devoted to the subject of ,alfalfa4 ,the earlier effort by ,mr4 ,coburn upon the same subject was in many respects a classic1 and ,i am sure farmers everywhere will now hail with joy the advent of a kindred work by him1 still more complete4 ,it is strange1 this late awakening all over the ,union and in ,canada to the feeding value and possibilities of this marvelous plant4 ,again1 it is wonderful to me that within a few years farmers everywhere are being compelled to revise their judgment as to their chances of success with it4 ,a large correspondence on this subject comes to me from every state in the ,union and the provinces of ,canada1 and success is being had in the growing of alfalfa where not more than three years ago it was deemed impossible to make it live4 ,of course the question of growing alfalfa contains a thousand or more chances for good or poor judgment4 ,men who are not too conceited1 too ignorant or too stubborn to learn by reading other men's experience will go ahead rapidly and soon make a success of it4 ,i believe this alfalfa movement is the most important agricultural event of the century4 ,for the production of beef1 mutton and milk1 the combination of corn ensilage and rightly cured alfalfa hay1 furnishes almost a perfect ration1 requiring but a small addition of grain feed4 ,both of these can be cheaply and easily produced on nearly every farm in the land4 ,in my herd of nearly fifty registered and grade ,guernsey cows these feeds constitute the sheet anchor of my dairy work4 ,no one more literally abets the growth of two blades of grass where one grew before than he who effectively urges the cultivation of alfalfa upon those who are strangers to it1 and no one is more truly working for the benefit of agriculture1 the basis of all prosperity1 than he who proclaims its excellence as the foremost forage4 ,hoard's ,dairyman will do all in its power to enhance the circulation and reading of such a book as ,mr4 ,coburn has made4 ,w4 ,d4 ,,hoard4 ,fort ,atkinson1 ,wisconsin4 #aijf ,publisher's ,announcement ,all the plates of the 8,book of ,alfalfa0 were destroyed in the disastrous fire that consumed our mechanical department ,january #bh1 #aijg4 ,we have taken advantage of this emergency and present the present volume in a new and revised edition1 with the additional material furnished by the author4 ,,orange ,,judd ,,company4 ,table of ,contents ,page ,the ,author's ,foreword iv ,introductory v ,,chapter ,i ,history1 ,description1 ,varieties and ,habits #a ,,chapter ,,ii ,universality of ,alfalfa #ac ,,chapter ,,iii ,yields1 and ,comparisons with other ,crops #bj ,,chapter ,,iv ,seed and ,seed ,selection #bg ,,chapter ,v ,soil and ,seeding #dd ,,chapter ,,vi ,cultivation #fg ,,chapter ,,vii ,harvesting #gi ,,chapter ,,viii ,storing #ic ,,chapter ,,ix ,pasturing and ,soiling #ajg ,,chapter ,x ,alfalfa as a ,feed ,stuff #abe ,,chapter ,,xi ,alfalfa in ,beef-,making #ach ,,chapter ,,xii ,alfalfa and the ,dairy #adc ,,chapter ,,xiii ,alfalfa for ,swine #aed ,,chapter ,,xiv ,alfalfa for ,horses and ,mules #afe ,,chapter ,,xv ,alfalfa and ,sheep ,raising #aga ,,chapter ,,xvi ,alfalfa and ,bees #age ,,chapter ,,xvii ,alfalfa and ,poultry #ahj ,,chapter ,,xviii ,alfalfa ,food ,preparations #ahb ,,chapter ,,xix ,alfalfa for ,town and ,city #ahg ,,chapter ,,xx ,alfalfa in ,crop ,rotation #ahi ,,chapter ,,xxi ,nitro-,culture #aig ,,chapter ,,xxii ,alfalfa as a ,commercial ,factor #bjd ,,chapter ,,xxiii ,the ,enemies of ,alfalfa #bjf ,,chapter ,,xxiv ,difficulties and ,discouragements #bbj ,,chapter ,,xxv ,miscellaneous #bbc ,,chapter ,,xxvi ,alfalfa in ,different ,states #bca ,index #cbe ,list of ,illustrations ,page #a4 ,f4 ,d4 ,coburn ,frontispiece #b4 ,a ,typical ,alfalfa ,plant #a #c4 ,typical ,stems and ,foliage of the ,alfalfa ,plant #a #d4 ,an ,eight-year-old ,alfalfa ,plant #f #e4 ,crown of ,plant ,shown in the ,preceding ,illustration #f #f4 ,alfalfa ,blossoms ,enlarged #g #g4 ,intergrading ,types of ,seed ,between ,alfalfa and ,sweet ,clover #ab #h4 ,seeds of the ,weed ,known as ,buck-horn #ac #i4 ,alfalfa ,seeds ,magnified ,five ,diameters #ac #aj4 ,sweet ,clover--,alfalfa--,yellow ,trefoil #bf #aa4 ,three ,distinctive ,types of ,alfalfa ,seed ,magnified ,twelve ,times #bg #ab4 ,yellow ,trefoil ,pods #cb #ac4 ,alfalfa ,seed ,pods #cb #ad4 ,sweet ,clover ,pods #cc #ae4 ,bur ,clover ,seed ,pods #cc #af4 ,yellow ,trefoil3 ,black ,medic3 ,hop ,clover 7,medicago lupulina7 #cg #ag4 ,three ,general ,types of ,alfalfa ,seed #dd #ah4 ,dodder ,seed ,magnified #de #ai4 ,alfalfa ,seed ,magnified #de #bj4 ,dodder ,plant on an ,alfalfa ,stem #df #ba4 ,dodder 7,cuscuta arvensis7 #dg #bb4 ,alfalfa and ,dodder ,seed 7,actual ,size7 #dg #bc4 ,dodder 7,cuscuta epithymum7 #dg #bd4 ,bur ,clover ,pod #ff #be4 ,yellow ,trefoil ,seed ,pod #ff #bf4 ,alfalfa ,seed ,pod #fg #bg4 ,spotted ,clover ,pod #fg #bh4 ,gathering ,alfalfa ,hay into ,windrows with a ,side-delivery ,horserake #gh #bi4 ,cutting a ,fine ,field of ,alfalfa #gi #cj4 ,gathering an ,alfalfa ,crop in ,page ,county1 ,iowa #ib #ca4 ,alfalfa ,harvesting ,scene in ,yellowstone ,county1 ,montana #ib #cb4 ,mast and ,boom ,stacker1 with ,six-tined ,jackson ,fork #ic #cc4 ,a ,derrick ,stacker #ic #cd4 ,lattice ,rack for ,feeding ,alfalfa to ,cattle #ajf #ce4 ,box ,rack for ,feeding ,alfalfa to ,sheep #ajf #cf4 ,lattice ,rack for ,feeding ,alfalfa to ,sheep #ajg #cg4 ,box ,rack for ,feeding ,alfalfa to ,cattle #ajg #ch4 ,trocar and ,cannula #aai #ci4 ,alfalfa ,field in ,central ,new ,york #abd #dj4 ,fourth ,cutting of ,alfalfa in ,shawnee ,county1 ,kansas #abd #da4 ,a ,second ,cutting of ,alfalfa 7,july #bh7 in ,shawnee ,county1 ,eastern ,kansas #abe #db4 ,kansas ,farmer ,viewing ,one of ,his ,alfalfa ,fields #ach #dc4 ,harvesting ,alfalfa in ,ohio #aci #dd4 ,showing ,advantage of ,early ,fall ,sowing #aed #de4 ,five-year-old ,alfalfa #aee #df4 ,alfalfa ,one ,year ,old1 ,showing ,effects of ,inoculation #agj #dg4 ,a ,good ,type of a ,four-year-old ,alfalfa ,plant #aga #dh4 ,alfalfa ,plant and ,roots ,showing ,bacteria ,nodules #aif #di4 ,tubercles on ,clover ,roots #aig #ej4 ,peculiar ,nodules in ,groups on ,small ,rootlets #bjf #ea4 ,alfalfa ,roots ,showing ,normal ,nodules #bjg #eb4 ,gopher ,poisoning ,tool #bad #ec4 ,and ,there's ,still ,more to ,follow #bbj #ed4 ,dead ,prairie ,dogs #bba #ee4 ,pot ,culture ,experiments at ,university of ,illinois #bcj #ef4 ,six ,months' ,growth of ,alfalfa ,foliage #bca #eg4 ,cutting ,alfalfa in ,southern ,california #bef #eh4 ,baling ,alfalfa in ,southern ,oklahoma #bef #ei4 ,a #djj-ton ,rick of ,alfalfa #beg #fj4 ,a ,cable ,derrick1 ,provided with a ,grapple ,fork #beg #fa4 ,sweet ,clover 7,melilotus alba7 #bhh #fb4 ,yellow ,trefoil 7,medicago lupulina7 #bhi ,illustration3 ,a ,typical ,alfalfa ,plant as it appears before the blossoms are developed4 ,from ,michigan ,experiment ,station ,bulletin ,no4 #bbe ,illustration3 ,typical ,stems and ,foliage of the ,alfalfa ,plant when beginning to blossom the most suitable for hay4 ,grown in ,shawnee ,county1 ,kansas1 on unirrigated upland prairie with a 8gumbo0 or hardpan subsoil4 ,from the season's third cutting1 ,august #bj2 height #bd and #bf inches ,,alfalfa 7,medicago sativa1 ,linn47 ,,chapter ,i4 ,history1 ,description1 ,varieties and ,habits ,,has ,,always ,,been ,,known ,there appears no record of a time when alfalfa was not in some portions of the world esteemed one of ,nature's most generous benefactions to husbandry and an important feature of a profitable agriculture4 ,its beginning seems to have been contemporary with that of man1 and1 as with man1 its first habitat was central ,asia1 where the progenitors of our race knew its capabilities in sustaining all herbivorous animal life1 and where1 possibly1 it too afforded the herbage which sustained ,nebuchadnezzar in his humiliating exile1 and eventually restored him to sanity and manhood4 ,it was carried by the ,persians into ,greece with the invasion by ,xerxes in #dij ,b4 ,c41 utilized by the ,romans in their conquest of ,greece1 and carried to ,rome in #adf ,b4 ,c4 ,pliny and other writers praise it as a forage plant and it has been in cultivation in parts of ,italy continuously from its introduction4 ,some writers are disposed to aver that it was brought to ,spain and ,france by the ,roman soldiery under ,csar and early thereafter1 but more probably it was not introduced into those countries until several centuries later4 ,it is known to have been cultivated in ,northern ,africa about the time it was first brought to ,italy2 and the name 8alfalfa0 being ,arabic the inference might be reasonable that it was introduced into ,spain by the ,moors from ,northern ,africa at the time of their conquest of ,spain about #gaa ,a4 ,d41 but this is of small consequence to the twentieth century4 ,from ,spain it crossed to ,france1 and later to ,belgium and ,england4 ,it was highly spoken of by an ,english writer of the fifteenth century4 ,,america ,,indebted ,,to ,,spain ,but in those ages ,europe was not so much interested in agriculture as in war4 ,land tenures were not well fixed and ownerships were uncertain4 ,spain1 however1 was to perform at least two important services for half the world1 if none for herself4 ,she was to reveal to civilization a new continent1 and give to it the most valuable forage plant ever known4 ,and so1 in #aeai1 ,cortes1 the ,spaniard1 and his remorseless brigands carried murder1 rapine and havoc to ,mexico1 but gave alfalfa4 ,less than a score years later ,spain also wrote in ,peru and ,chili some of the bloodiest pages of human history1 but left alfalfa there1 where it has since luxuriantly flourished4 ,if it was brought to the ,atlantic coast of the ,united ,states in that century1 it was not adopted by the ,indian inhabitants1 who were not an agricultural people1 nor by the early ,european settlers4 ,it was not until about #ahec or #ahed that it was introduced into northern ,california1 the legends say from ,chili1 but it had been grown by the ,spaniards and ,indians in southern ,california for probably a hundred years1 having had a gradual migration from ,mexico4 ,strange to relate1 while it is even now on the ,atlantic coast discussed as a new plant1 there is good evidence that it has been in cultivation on a small scale in the ,carolinas1 ,new ,york and ,pennsylvania for probably one hundred and fifty years4 ,certainly there are small fields in those states that have been producing for over sixty years1 and there are to be found articles and letters written far earlier showing that it was then known and had been proven4 ,one ,spurrier1 in a book dedicated to ,thomas ,jefferson1 and written in #agic1 spoke highly of alfalfa1 called 8lucerne20 told how it should be cultivated1 and that three crops of valuable hay could be cut annually4 ,in the 8,transactions of the ,society for the ,promotion of ,agriculture10 published at ,albany in #ahja1 it was favorably mentioned1 and in the 8,farmers' ,assistant10 printed in ,albany in #ahae1 alfalfa was praised and the statement made of its yielding #f to #i tons of hay per acre 8under the best cultivation and plentiful manuring40 ,yet its cultivation did not spread4 ,the inertia of farmers1 or perhaps their indifference to new ideas1 in the early days must have been marvelous4 ,according to ,spurrier the difficulties were not considered greater than now2 he said one planting would survive many years and the yield was three times as great as that of any other forage plant4 ,the seed was no doubt introduced there from ,england or ,france2 it was probably scarce1 and difficult to secure from growings in this country4 ,,the ,,name ,,and ,,its ,,origin ,the name 8,alfalfa0 is from an ,arabic word meaning 8the best fodder10 which honor it can certainly still claim4 ,many writers have assumed that the name 8,lucerne0 which it bears in ,france and ,england1 was from the name of the ,swiss canton1 ,lucerne4 ,this is a mistake as it was not known there until long after it was cultivated in ,france and ,england4 ,the name is probably from the ,spanish word 8,userdas0 which the ,french changed to 8,la-cuzerdo0 and later to 8,luzerne10 still later to 8,lizerne0 and then to 8,lucerne40 ,among other names by which alfalfa is known are the following3 ,lucerne2 ,french ,lucerne2 ,french ,clover1 in part2 ,mexican ,clover1 in part2 ,lucerne ,clover2 ,lucerne ,medicago2 ,alfalfa ,clover2 ,chilian ,clover2 ,brazilian ,clover2 ,syrian ,clover2 ,sainfoin1 erroneously2 ,spanish ,trefoil2 ,purple ,medick2 ,manured ,medick2 ,cultivated ,medicago2 ,medick4 ,persian1 ,isfist2 ,greek1 ,medicai2 ,latin1 ,medica1 ,herba ,medica2 ,italian1 ,herba ,spagna2 ,spanish1 ,melga or ,meilga1 also 7from the ,arabic71 ,alfalfa1 ,alfasafat2 ,french1 ,la ,lucerne2 ,german1 ,lucerne1 ,common ,fodder1 ,snail ,clover1 ,blue ,snail ,clover1 ,branching ,clover1 ,stem ,clover1 ,monthly ,clover1 ,horned ,clover1 in part1 ,perennial ,clover1 ,blue ,perennial ,clover1 ,burgundy ,clover1 ,welsh ,clover1 ,sicilian ,clover4 ,alfalfa belongs to the botanical family ,leguminosae1 or the legumes1 of which there are thousands of species1 and is thus related to all clovers1 peas1 vetches and beans4 ,its botanical name is ,medicago sativa4 ,there are some fifty species of the genus ,medicago that are known1 but alfalfa and one or two others are all that are of practical value as fodders4 ,it is a true perennial plant1 smooth1 upright1 branching1 ordinarily growing from one to four feet high1 yet in some instances much higher1 owing to conditions of soil1 climate and cultivation4 ,its leaves are three parted1 each leaflet being broadest about the middle1 rounded in outline and slightly toothed toward the apex4 ,the purple pea-like flowers instead of being in a head1 as in red clover1 are in long1 loose clusters or racemes4 ,these are scattered along the plant's stems and branches1 instead of being especially borne1 as in red clover1 on the extremities of the branches4 ,the matured seed-pods are spirally twisted through two or three complete curves1 and each pod contains several seeds4 ,the seeds are kidney-shaped1 and average about one-twelfth of an inch long by half as thick4 ,they are about one-half larger than seeds of red clover1 and in color are at their best an olive green or a bright egg-yellow1 instead of a reddish or mustard yellow1 or faded brown4 ,the ends of the seeds are slightly compressed where they are crowded together in the pod4 ,alfalfa is very long-lived2 fields in ,mexico1 it is claimed1 have been continuously productive without replanting for over two hundred years1 and others in ,france are known to have flourished for more than a century4 ,its usual life in the ,united ,states is probably from ten to twenty-five years1 although there is a field in ,new ,york that has been mown successively for over sixty years4 ,it is not unlikely that under its normal conditions and with normal care it would well-nigh be1 as it is called1 everlasting4 ,,its ,,wonderful ,,root ,,system ,in its root growth it is probably the greatest wonder among plants4 ,while it usually grows no higher than four or five feet 7although it has been known to reach more than ten feet2 an unirrigated stalk is on exhibition at the office of the ,kansas ,board of ,agriculture1 measuring nearly seven feet7 and its normal height is about three feet1 its roots go down ten1 twenty1 or more feet1 and one case in ,nevada is reported by ,charles ,w4 ,irish1 chief of ,irrigation ,inquiry ,united ,states ,department of ,agriculture1 where the roots were found penetrating through crevices in the roof of a tunnel one hundred and twenty-nine feet below the surface of an alfalfa field4 ,prof4 ,w4 ,p4 ,headden of ,colorado found roots nine feet long from alfalfa only nine months old1 and another reports roots seventeen inches long of but four weeks' growth1 the plants being but six inches high4 ,it usually has a slender taproot1 with many branches tending downward1 yet with considerable lateral growth4 ,as the taproot is piercing the earth it is also sending out new fibrous roots1 while the upper ones1 decaying1 are leaving humus and providing innumerable openings for air1 the rains1 and fertilizing elements from the surface soil4 ,the mechanical effect of this root-growth and decay in the soil constitutes one of the greatest virtues of the plant1 and by its roots alfalfa becomes1 self-acting1 by far the most efficient1 deep reaching subsoiler and renovator known to agriculture4 ,,varieties ,,and ,,peculiarities ,there are several other varieties of alfalfa besides ,medicago sativa1 the most common being the ,intermediate ,lucerne or ,medicago media1 the ,yellow ,lucerne or ,medicago foliata and ,turkestan alfalfa or ,medicago sativa ,turkestanica4 ,none of these have such unqualified value as the ordinary alfalfa2 in fact the first two are properly regarded as weeds when found with ,medicago sativa4 ,in #ahih when there had been reported many failures in the alfalfa districts of the extreme ,north and the extreme ,southwest1 the ,united ,states ,department of ,agriculture sent ,prof4 ,n4 ,e4 ,hansen of ,south ,dakota to ,russia1 especially the cold1 arid and semi-arid portions of northern ,turkestan1 to discover if possible a more hardy strain of alfalfa than that grown in ,america4 ,he brought back from there several hundred bushels of seed which was distributed to government stations and individual experimenters in forty-seven states and territories4 ,the reports of its behavior varied greatly1 some growers being enthusiastically in its favor1 while most reported results below or not above the average from other sorts1 and some practically a failure4 ,it would appear from the consensus of opinion at this time that the ,turkestan alfalfa has not demonstrated in ,america any such superiority as to justify its general adoption1 even in the dry and warm regions of the ,southwest1 in our colder states1 or in ,canada4 ,illustration3 ,an ,eight-year-old ,alfalfa ,plant with #cab stems growing from one root4 ,grown at ,manhattan1 ,kan41 on high upland prairie having a stiff1 hardpan subsoil4 ,depth to water #ahj feet ,height of growth ,may #f1 ten inches ,illustration3 ,crown of ,plant ,shown in the ,preceding ,illustration ,stalks removed to show branching crown ,illustration3 ,alfalfa ,blossoms ,enlarged ,among other claims for ,turkestan alfalfa by the government officials in charge of its introduction and exploitation have been that 8its seed will germinate much quicker and the plants start into growth earlier under the same conditions than common alfalfa4 ,the plants are more leafy1 grow more rapidly1 and have a stronger1 more vigorous root system4 ,another advantage which the ,turkestan variety has is that the stems are more slender and less woody1 the plants making a more nutritious hay of finer quality4 ,that it will withstand drought under the same conditions better than ordinary alfalfa seems certain from the reports of the experimenters4 ,in the ,west and ,northwest1 at least1 it seems to be more productive1 both with and without irrigation40 ,at the ,north ,dakota station ,turkestan alfalfa sown in #aija yielded in the three years following 7#aijb-c-d7 at the average rate of slightly more than two tons per acre annually4 ,acclimation of alfalfa is a slow process1 and numerous close observers think there are too many radical differences in climate and possibly of soil between ,turkestan and ,new ,mexico1 or ,north ,dakota1 to admit of this variety's becoming a preeminently valuable acquisition to ,america4 ,it is thought more reasonable to let the ,american-grown alfalfa gradually accustom itself1 as it will1 to any particular region1 sowing seed from nearly the same latitude and grown under as nearly as possible the conditions it will encounter in its new environment4 ,in #aijc the ,department of ,agriculture began experimenting on a small scale at stations in ,arizona1 ,california and the warm regions with alfalfa seed procured by ,mr4 ,d4 ,g4 ,fairchild1 from ,arabia4 ,the officials in charge observe that the plants from this seed appear to make a much quicker growth after cutting1 and as a result of this one more crop in a season than is obtained from other alfalfa may be possible4 ,it differs from other strains in having larger leaflets and in being much more hairy4 8,it is thought very probable that by careful selection hardiness can be bred into ,arabian alfalfa so that it will grow much farther north than it does at present40 ,,an ,,opinion ,,from ,,headquarters ,as a latter day opinion or estimate of alfalfa from an official who is presumed to speak as an authority1 without bias and knowing his subject1 the words of ,w4 ,j4 ,spillman1 agrostologist of the ,united ,states ,department of ,agriculture1 should carry weight4 ,in an address before the eleventh annual convention of the ,national ,hay ,association1 at ,st4 ,louis1 in #aijd1 ,professor ,spillman said3 8,alfalfa is the oldest plant known to man2 it is the most valuable forage plant ever discovered4 ,it has not been appreciated in the eastern part of the ,united ,states until the last five years4 ,we are now growing it successfully in every state in the ,union1 and ,i believe it is safe to say in every agricultural county in the ,united ,states it is being grown with success4 ,two weeks ago ,i secured a picture of a field of alfalfa in ,south ,carolina that was sowed over sixty-nine years ago4 ,it was still in pretty good condition4 ,i know of another field in ,new ,york ,state sowed forty-five years ago1 and one in ,minnesota that was sowed thirty-three years ago4 ,all over the ,west there are thousands of fields of alfalfa that were sowed twenty-five years ago that are still yielding large crops4 ,in ,wisconsin alfalfa yields three crops of hay a year1 and in ,texas1 four and five large crops4 ,in southern ,california1 below sea-level1 where they never have any frost1 they cut alfalfa eleven times a year1 and in ,texas1 south of the ,rio ,grande1 they cut it nine times a year4 8,alfalfa does not exhaust the soil4 ,nitrogen is the soil's most important element1 and the one most liable to give out2 the one the farmer is called upon to supply first4 ,alfalfa does not ask the farmer for nitrogen at all1 because it can get its nitrogen out of the atmosphere4 ,four-fifths of the atmosphere consists of nitrogen4 ,ordinarily1 plants cannot make use of that nitrogen at all2 the roots of the alfalfa will leave in the soil eight or ten times as much nitrogen as was there before4 ,the farmer who plants alfalfa1 clover or peas does not have to get nitrogen from the fertilizer factories4 ,i know one farmer who for the past eight years has made an average of eight and one-half tons per acre of alfalfa on irrigated land in the state of ,washington4 ,i have heard of other men that produced twelve tons an acre in southern ,texas on irrigated land4 ,it would hardly be possible to produce that much on land that is not irrigated1 because rain does not come to order4 8,i have lived ten years in a country where the horses1 cattle1 sheep1 hogs and chickens eat alfalfa hay1 or green alfalfa1 the year round4 ,it is the richest hay food known4 ,eleven pounds of it is worth as much for feeding purposes as ten pounds of bran40 ,a most pleasing word-picture of alfalfa is that by ,geo4 ,l4 ,clothier1 ,m4 ,s41 who has studied his subject closely in the field1 the feed lot and the laboratory1 and he paints it thus3 8,the cultivation and feeding of alfalfa mark the highest development of our modern agriculture4 ,alfalfa is one of nature's choicest gifts to man4 ,it is the preserver and the conserver of the homestead4 ,it is peculiarly adapted to a country with a republican government1 for it smiles alike on the rich and the poor4 ,it does not fail from old age4 ,it loves the sunshine1 converting the sunbeams into gold coin in the pockets of the thrifty husbandman4 ,it is the greatest mortgage lifter yet discovered4 8,the alfalfa plant furnishes the protein to construct and repair the brains of statesmen4 ,it builds up the muscles and bones of the war-horse1 and gives his rider sinews of iron4 ,alfalfa makes the hens cackle and the turkeys gobble4 ,it induces the pigs to squeal and grunt with satisfaction4 ,it causes the contented cow to give pailsful of creamy milk1 and the ,shorthorn and white-faced steers to bawl for the feed rack4 ,alfalfa softens the disposition of the colt and hardens his bones and muscles4 ,it fattens lambs as no other feed1 and promotes a wool clip that is a veritable golden fleece4 ,it compels skim-milk calves to make gains of two pounds per day4 ,it helps the farmer to produce pork at a cent and a half a pound and beef at two cents4 8,alfalfa transforms the upland farm from a sometime waste of gullied clay banks into an undulating meadow fecund with plant-food4 ,it drills for water1 working #cfe days in the year without any recompense from man4 ,the labor it performs in penetrating the subsoil is enormous4 ,no other agricultural plant leaves the soil in such good physical condition as alfalfa4 ,it prospects beneath the surface of the earth and brings her hidden treasures to the light of day4 ,it takes the earth1 air1 moisture and sunshine1 and transmutes them into nourishing feed stuffs and into tints of green and purple1 and into nectar and sweet perfumes1 alluring the busy bees to visits of reciprocity1 whereon they caress the alfalfa blossoms1 which1 in their turn1 pour out secretions of nectar fit for ,jupiter to sip4 ,it forms a partnership with the micro-organisms of the earth by which it is enabled to enrich the soil upon which it feeds4 ,it brings gold into the farmer's purse by processes more mysterious than the alchemy of old4 ,the farmer with a fifty-acre meadow of alfalfa will have steady1 enjoyable employment from ,june to ,october2 for as soon as he has finished gathering the hay at one end of the field it will be again ready for the mower at the other4 ,the homes surrounded by fields of alfalfa have an esthetic advantage unknown to those where the plant is not grown4 ,the alfalfa meadow is clothed with purple and green and exhales fragrant1 balmy odors throughout the growing season to be wafted by the breezes into the adjacent farmhouses40 ,illustration3 ,intergrading ,types of ,seed ,between ,alfalfa and ,sweet ,clover ,the six seeds to the left being alfalfa1 the five to the right ,sweet clover4 ,magnified eight diameters ,illustration3 ,seeds of the ,weed ,known as ,buck-horn ,ribbed plantain1 ,english plantain1 or ,rib-grass1 7,plantago lanceolata74 ,very commonly present in alfalfa seed1 especially that of ,european origin ,a bad weed4 ,magnification five diameters ,illustration3 ,alfalfa ,seeds ,magnified ,five ,diameters ,note the characteristic angular point at one end1 typical of alfalfa4 ,the kidney-shaped type1 as in 8a0 is also characteristic4 ,the rounded type 8b0 is rare1 and resembles ,sweet clover4 ,seeds marked 8c0 and 8d0 resemble ,yellow trefoil in the projecting 8beak0 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,universality of ,alfalfa ,,its ,,wide ,,distribution ,as the history of alfalfa is traced in the preceding chapter the conclusion is reached that its distribution is not to be circumscribed by any hard and fast lines of climate and soil4 ,it is grown profitably in every country of ,europe1 in central ,asia1 its original home1 in ,australia1 the islands of the sea1 and in almost every state and territory of the ,united ,states1 and in ,canada4 ,only two states1 ,maine and ,new ,hampshire1 and only one territory1 ,alaska1 are left wholly in the experimental column4 ,everywhere else there have been such results as to prove that it ought to become1 in greater or less degree1 a staple crop on practically every farm1 dependent only upon more energy1 faith and skill on the part of the farmer1 and a natural acclimation4 ,there are several other states such as ,vermont1 ,massachusetts1 ,connecticut1 ,rhode ,island1 ,michigan1 ,kentucky1 ,tennessee1 ,arkansas and ,north ,dakota where the experiment station experts are not fully ready to recommend it as a regular crop for every farm1 yet1 in each of these there are enterprising farmers who have for years found profit in its raising4 ,the station authorities in ,vermont say that success with alfalfa there 8depends first on the man1 and second on the soil40 ,w4 ,r4 ,dodson1 botanist of the ,louisiana station1 says it is his firm conviction that nothing will contribute so much as alfalfa toward making the southern farm self-supplied with feed for work animals1 for the production of dairy products1 and home raised meat4 8,i doubt10 he also says1 8if alfalfa does better anywhere outside the irrigated regions of the ,west than it does in the alluvial lands of ,louisiana4 ,we have had as high as eight cuttings in one year1 with a total tonnage larger than is had in ,kansas or ,nebraska1 and our annual rainfall is sixty-five inches1 or more40 ,from ,ontario1 ,canada1 comes a report of a yield of four tons to the acre in three cuttings1 on a clay hillside2 at far-off ,medicine ,hat1 ,northwest ,territory1 it makes a growth pronounced 8phenomenal10 and at the experimental farm at ,brandon1 ,manitoba1 three cuttings per year are harvested4 ,on a gravelly hill in the ,district of ,columbia1 a field was sown in ,april1 #aijj4 ,two crops were cut from it that summer1 three in #aija1 and the first cutting in #aijb yielded three tons per acre4 ,in southern ,minnesota1 some thrifty ,germans1 not knowing that 8alfalfa will not grow in ,minnesota10 have been raising it since #ahgb1 while others were declaring it impossible4 ,a half-score of men in the sagebrush wilds of ,nevada decided to try it1 and in #ahgb they had #fbe prosperous acres1 without plowing and without irrigation4 ,j4 ,h4 ,grisdale1 agriculturist of the ,central experimental farm at ,ottawa1 7,bul4 ,no4 #df7 says1 8it is grown in ,canada more or less extensively from the ,atlantic to the ,pacific4 ,it is the staple forage plant for winter in the dryer part of ,british ,columbia1 and it has been grown in ,southern ,alberta for many years4 ,it is not much known in ,manitoba1 but is possible of easy propagation in almost all parts of ,ontario4 ,it is1 and has been grown long and successfully in ,quebec1 and is not unknown in ,nova ,scotia and ,new ,brunswick40 ,in ,cape ,colony1 ,south ,africa1 8lucerne can be cut from four to six times in summer and from once to twice in winter1 and is the greatest forage plant in the world40 ,in #aija the ,british consul at ,buenos ,ayres reported alfalfa as covering 8an enormous area in ,argentina1 and every year becoming more important40 ,,not ,,particular ,,as ,,to ,,soil ,while experts have been declaring that alfalfa would only grow in certain soils and in certain climates it has proven adaptability to nearly all climates and almost all soils4 ,it produces with a rainfall as scant as #ad inches1 and in the ,gulf states flourishes with #fe inches4 ,it gives crops at an elevation of #hjjj feet above sea level1 and in southern ,california it grows below sea level to a height of six feet or over1 with nine cuttings a year1 aggregating ten to twelve tons4 ,an authenticated photograph in possession of the writer1 reproduced opposite page #bca1 shows a wonderful alfalfa plant raised in the 7irrigated7 desert of southern ,california1 sixty feet below sea level1 that measured considerably more than ten feet in height4 ,satisfactory crops are raised1 but on limited areas as yet1 in ,vermont and ,florida4 ,new ,york has grown it for over one hundred years in her clay and gravel2 ,nebraska grows it in her western sand hills without plowing1 as does ,nevada on her sagebrush desert4 ,the depleted cotton soils of ,alabama and rich corn lands of ,illinois and ,missouri each respond generously with profitable yields to the enterprising farmer1 while its accumulated nitrogen and the sub-soiling it effects are making the rich land more valuable and giving back to the crop-worn the priceless elements of which it has been in successive generations despoiled by a conscienceless husbandry4 ,its introduction into ,maryland was largely through the perseverance of ,prof4 ,w4 ,t4 ,l4 ,taliaferro of the agricultural college1 who says3 8,the future for alfalfa for southern ,maryland is bright1 indeed1 and with its general introduction will come a new era of prosperity for the #8lower counties4' ,live stock farming will take the place of tobacco farming4 ,the fertilizing elements of the soil will be concentrated at home instead of being shipped abroad4 ,larger crops will be raised4 ,soil improvement will take the place of soil exhaustion2 worn-out farms will be restored to their original fertility40 ,,the ,,oracles ,,refuted ,one by one the oracular statements of so-called experts have been shown at fault4 ,one said1 8it will grow wherever corn will grow20 and as promptly men from ,new ,york and ,louisiana rise and say that they are growing it where corn will not grow4 ,another declares1 8it will not grow over a hardpan or gumbo subsoil20 at once a ,new ,york man reports a good field of alfalfa with roots fifteen feet long that pass through six inches of hardpan which was so hard that it had to be broken with a pick axe in following the root4 ,a ,kansas man writes that he has eighty acres that has stood five years and promises to continue indefinitely1 yielding #d tons from three cuttings a year1 and the whole of it on gumbo soil where corn raising was a failure4 ,another declares1 8it must have a rich1 sandy loam10 and forthwith from the deserts of ,nevada1 the sand hills of ,nebraska and the thin1 worn1 clay soils of the ,south come reports of satisfactory yields4 ,such results are significant1 indicating better returns than any other crop brings from these varied soils1 and that few farmers are justified in postponing the addition of alfalfa to their agriculture because of supposed hindrance of soil and climate4 ,a ,,new ,,york ,,example ,as citing an example1 and suggestive of the fact that alfalfa not only grows but flourishes in the eastern states where the claim has been made that it would not grow1 the following by the editor of the ,rural ,new-,yorker1 in his journal of ,september #c1 #aijd1 is forcibly to the point3 8,a farmer visiting the ,new ,york state fair this year will do well to take time to look at some of the alfalfa fields near ,syracuse4 ,whether it means that the soil in this locality is well suited to alfalfa1 or that farmers have learned how to grow it1 it is a fact that the crop makes a wonderful showing there4 ,you find it everywhere--in great billowy fields of green1 along the roadsides--even in vacant city lots4 ,the crop crowds in whether the seed is sown by hand1 dropped from a passing load or scattered by the wind4 ,the majority of the farms show great fields of it1 and the character of farming is slowly changing as more and more alfalfa is cut4 ,on fruit farms or small private places the crop is changing methods and habits4 ,a few acres in alfalfa provides all the roughness needed for stock on these small places1 and gives extra room for fruit or similar crops4 ,in fact1 the most interesting thing about these alfalfa fields is the way they are changing the entire conditions of the country4 ,it is similar to what happens when a new industry is established in a town or city4 8,the ,grange meeting at a ,mr4 ,worker's farm1 was held in a great barn4 ,he had delayed the alfalfa cutting so that the barn might be empty4 ,some other farmers nearby had already cut4 ,i had a chance to see alfalfa growing under what seemed to me about the toughest chance you can give a plant4 ,the city of ,syracuse is buying gravel from his field1 to use on the street4 ,the workmen are digging right into the hill1 and it requires hard labor to pick up this tough1 hard soil4 ,as they dig they follow the roots of the alfalfa down4 ,some of the roots are quite as large as my thumb1 and ,i am sure that many of them had gone down twenty feet at least into this tough soil4 ,these big roots make plowing an alfalfa sod anything but fun4 ,this is one of the few objections to the crop4 ,i had supposed that the plant does its best where it can work down into an open or gravel subsoil4 ,i have been told by one who is called an #8expert' that alfalfa cannot thrive on a hardpan subsoil1 yet here it was going down into the toughest soil ,i ever saw1 and covering the surface with a perfect mat of green stalks4 ,mr4 ,worker goes so far as to say that the tougher the subsoil the better the alfalfa goes through it1 provided water does not stand about the roots4 ,that is one point upon which all agree--the alfalfa cannot stand wet feet4 ,it must have water enough2 that is why its roots go down so far1 but it will not thrive in wet fields where water does not run easily away4 8,on other farms ,i saw the alfalfa growing at the top of steep clay hills1 which were formerly almost useless for farm purposes unless stuffed with stable manure4 ,now that alfalfa has been started these hill-tops have become about the most profitable fields on the farm4 ,at another place ,i saw a fair crop of alfalfa growing in a thin streak of soil over a rocky ledge4 ,there were not eighteen inches of soil covering the solid rock1 yet the alfalfa was thriving4 ,i have been told that this is the condition under which alfalfa will not grow1 yet here it was giving more forage than any red clover we can grow4 ,i have said that the spreading of these alfalfa fields is changing the character of farming in central ,new ,york4 ,it is not easy to realize just what this means without visiting this favored section4 ,this new forage plant brings fertility and feed to the farm4 ,it is just like having a fertilizer factory and a feed store drop out of the skies upon the farm1 to get this alfalfa well started4 ,of course as the farmer learns what the crop will do he uses it more and more to feed both stock and the farm4 ,it would not be a very bright farmer who would continue to grow wheat or some other annual crop which brings him #be per acre when a permanent crop like alfalfa will guarantee #fj4 ,some farmers are quicker to see this than others1 but in the end the majority of them see it and then we see a change4 ,these alfalfa farmers are giving a great object lesson1 and their farms are more interesting than any exhibit at the state fair40 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,yields1 and ,comparisons ,with ,other ,crops ,,compared ,,with ,,clover ,many things are understood best through contrasts with others better known4 ,in every part of the country certain crops are considered standard1 and all others are judged by comparison with these4 ,for example1 red clover in most parts of the ,united ,states is ranked as the richest and best yielding forage1 and the fertilizer and renovator par excellence4 ,the ,massachusetts experiment station after a series of tests reports that #ajj pounds of clover contain #dg4di pounds of digestible food and #f4ie pounds of proteids1 while #ajj pounds of alfalfa contain #ed4dc pounds of digestible food and #aa4bb pounds of proteids4 ,the ,new ,jersey station reports that the average yield per annum of green clover to the acre is #ad1jjj pounds1 and of green alfalfa #cf1ejj pounds2 the protein in the clover is #faf pounds and in the alfalfa1 #bbad pounds2 one ton of alfalfa has #bfe pounds of protein1 and clover only #bdf pounds4 ,but alfalfa will produce three1 four1 or more cuttings each year1 while clover will produce but one or at most two4 ,further1 clover will ordinarily survive but two years1 while alfalfa will last from ten to one hundred1 thus saving many plowings and seedings4 ,it is also estimated that the stubble and root-growth of alfalfa are worth at least four times as much for humus as are those of clover1 while the mechanical and other beneficent effects of the long alfalfa roots far excel those of clover4 ,the alfalfa field is green for pasturage a month earlier in the spring than clover and may be mowed a month earlier4 ,it starts a vigorous growth at once after cutting1 covering the ground with its luxuriant foliage before the second growth of clover has made any substantial progress4 ,the ,wisconsin experiment station says that 8one acre of alfalfa yields as much protein as three acres of clover1 as much as nine acres of timothy and twelve times as much as an acre of brome grass40 ,,comparisons ,,with ,,several ,,grasses ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,yield ,plat ,hay1per acre1 ,no4 ,variety ,grown lbs4 lbs4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- #a ,june ,clover #dgc #b1cfe #b ,mammoth ,clover #dge #b1cge #c ,alsike ,clover #dac #b1jfe #da;,alfalfa 7first cutting7 #bf inches high1 ,june #bith #haf #d1jhj #e ,blue-grass #ege #b1hge #f ,orchard grass #dgh #b1cij #g ,timothy #efj #b1hjj #h ,red-top #dgj #b1cej #i ,meadow fescue #cge #a1hge #aj ,tall meadow oat grass #fjj #c1jjj #aa ,italian rye grass 4444 4444 #abb ,timothy1 blue-grass and orchard grass mixed #bjc #a1jae ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- #a ,the alfalfa plat yielded a second cutting #bf inches high on ,august #bnd1 and a third #bd inches high ,september #ast2 there was also a six-inch after-growth estimated at #ahj pounds4 ,the total alfalfa yield was equivalent1 8approximately to #f tons of good dry forage40 ,none of the other clovers or grasses gave more than one cutting4 #b ,robbed somewhat of both plant food and moisture by an adjacent row of grown cottonwood trees4 ,the ,nebraska experiment station has made very careful tests of the comparative yields of various grasses1 clovers and mixtures4 ,these were on plats of one-fifth of an acre4 ,the foregoing table shows the yields the second year from planting1 which owing to the very dry spring was a quite unfavorable season4 ,,compared ,,with ,,corn ,the ,colorado station reports a comparison with corn as follows3 ------------------------------------ ,yield per acre of ,corn and ,alfalfa ---------------------------------- ,corn1 ,alfalfa1 lbs4 lbs4 ---------------------------------- ,dry ,matter #c1fje #e1faa ,albuminoids #bif #a1aih ,starch1 ,sugar1 etc4 #b1ahf #c1aad ,fiber #a1jfj #a1aih ,fat #fc #aja ---------------------------------- ,,individual ,,instances ,,of ,,cash ,,returns ,a ,lincoln county1 ,kansas1 farmer writes that from five acres of alfalfa he received in one season #ajj for hay1 #aej for seed and #bj for straw4 ,a farmer near ,atwood1 ,rawlins county1 ,kansas1 cut two crops for hay and threshed the third crop for seed1 realizing #ac bushels per acre1 which sold at #e per bushel4 ,a ,harlan county1 ,nebraska1 farmer reports an income of #ggd in one year from seed and hay from six acres4 ,scott ,bros41 of ,pottawatomie county1 ,kansas1 report to the author as follows concerning their returns from a twelve-acre field in one year3 #b hay crops1 #cj tons at #ab #cfj #aje bushels of seed at #f #fcj ,straw #ej ,fourth cutting1 #ab tons at #ab #add ------ ,total1 one year's return #a1ahd ,a ,buffalo county1 ,nebraska1 farmer sold from a year's growth on #bb acres1 hay worth #cbh4ab1 seed #ajjj1 and straw #aej4 ,a ,montgomery county1 ,kansas1 farmer reports to the author a return of #ajf per acre in one year from hay1 seed and straw4 ,another report was sent in #aijd from southern ,kansas1 of five cuttings1 making #h tons per acre1 which sold at #e per ton in the field4 ,,some ,,reports ,,of ,,yields ,a farmer of ,harvey county1 ,kansas1 reported in #aijc two hay crops and one seed crop1 the hay1 seed and straw returning more than #ej per acre from a field that two years before had failed to yield enough corn to justify its gathering4 ,sixteen acres in ,reno county1 ,kansas1 are reported to have pastured in #aijd four hundred pigs and yielded one cutting of hay of over #af tons4 ,an alfalfa field of eleven acres in ,washington1 on the bank of the ,columbia river1 under irrigation1 produced in #aija over #ajj tons of hay4 ,former ,governor ,w4 ,d4 ,hoard1 of ,wisconsin1 reports from three-fifths of an acre on his farm in the southern part of the state1 four cuttings in one season1 yielding #e4g tons of hay4 ,alva ,langston1 of ,henry county1 ,indiana1 sowed five acres of alfalfa ,may #bjth1 and harvested nearly #a tons of hay per acre ,august #beth following1 and about the same quantity ,september #bjth to #beth4 ,this was on upland1 thirty or more years in cultivation4 ,the alfalfa was clipped twice before the cutting for hay4 ,in #aijb ,f4 ,s4 ,kirk of ,garfield county1 ,oklahoma1 sowed a field near a creek1 but about #be feet above water1 with thirty to thirty-five pounds of alfalfa seed per acre1 broadcast4 ,the soil1 which he calls 8high bottom10 was a dark brown and contained considerable sand4 ,for two years no attention was given the alfalfa except harvesting from it three crops the second year and four the third year4 ,in #aije he harvested from ten acres nine cuttings1 estimated to weigh fully one and one-half tons each1 per acre4 ,the longest time between any two cuttings was twenty-two days1 and the shortest fourteen days4 ,during the season of #aijd seven cuttings were made and the field was gone over with a disk harrow early each time after removing the hay from the field4 ,it was possible to cut another growth of #h to #ab inches1 had he not preferred to use it as pasturage for stock4 ,mr4 ,kirk does not irrigate and maintains that in his part of the country 8the best irrigation for alfalfa is with a disk harrow40 ,he also insists that 8alfalfa can be entirely killed by disking in the dark of the moon10 especially if the weather that follows is hot and dry4 ,he pastures his alfalfa with cattle and horses in fall and spring1 and disks in the spring as soon as the stock is removed4 ,,some ,,money ,,comparisons ,a good acre corn crop in ,ohio is forty bushels1 worth not to exceed #bj1 after all the labor of cultivating and husking2 the stover1 if properly cared for1 ought to be worth #e1 making a total of #be4 ,an ,ohio farmer reports a yield of #d tons of alfalfa hay per acre1 worth for feed as compared with the price of bran about #ab per ton1 or a total value of #ed1 from only one plowing in six years 7as long as he let it stand7 and with less labor in harvesting than for husking corn and caring for the stover4 ,a good ,kansas or ,nebraska corn yield 7far above the state average7 is #ej bushels per acre1 worth ordinarily about #ag1 with stover worth #c4 ,the farmer should obtain from his alfalfa at least four to five tons1 worth to him for feed for cattle1 hogs or sheep from #aj to #ab per ton--practically two or three times his income from an acre of corn1 while the cost of production is much less4 ,the average year's corn or wheat crop is worth only about #aj per acre1 while the average alfalfa crop is worth on the market from #ae to #ce1 or more1 per acre1 owing to the market appreciation of the crop1 and from #ce to #fj as feed for stock4 ,many thousands of acres in western ,kansas and ,nebraska are now returning from their alfalfa fields an income of from #ae to #be per acre where but a few years earlier the land was deemed worthless for agriculture4 ,hundreds of acres in western ,new ,york that were returning only a small income above cost of labor and fertilization are now supporting great money making dairies from alfalfa4 ,cotton land in the ,south rents for #e per acre1 while alfalfa fields bring a yearly rental of three times that amount4 ,illustration3 ,sweet ,clover ,alfalfa ,yellow ,trefoil ,the ,sweet clover and alfalfa are magnified five diameters and the trefoil seven diameters ,illustration3 ,three ,distinctive ,types of ,alfalfa ,seed ,magnified ,twelve ,times ,the one at the left rounded2 the one at the right kidney-shaped2 and the one in the middle angular pointed4 ,the latter is the most characteristic form seen in alfalfa seed ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,seed and ,seed ,selection ,,no ,,success ,,without ,,good ,,seed ,it is a time-worn but no less true saying that good seed is essential to good agriculture4 ,no matter how well the farmer prepares his land1 no matter how much time1 labor and money he spends on it1 if much or all of his seed fails to grow1 he will either have a poor crop or be obliged to reseed1 thus losing time and labor4 ,many causes may contribute to prevent a good stand1 but if he can eliminate any one of these1 he is by so much the gainer4 ,poor seed is a primary and great cause of a poor stand4 ,the farmer obtains his seed from one of two sources2 he raises it or buys it4 ,if the former1 there should be less danger1 as the chief source of poor seed is careless handling in harvesting and storing4 ,if the seed becomes damp1 mold will damage much of it1 or it will sprout1 then dry out1 and the germ be killed4 ,if seed is bought of strangers or from a distance1 the chances of poor quality increase many fold4 ,if all seed were bought of reliable dealers1 there would be less cause for complaint1 but farmers too often buy where they can buy cheapest4 ,they pay for trash that is either full of harmful weed seeds or has a liberal admixture of old and dead seeds left over from previous seasons4 ,before seed is purchased it should be tested for purity and germination4 ,the adage that a dollar saved is a dollar earned well applies here2 it is an easy matter to waste a dollar on seed1 and when profit depends on avoidance of useless expenditure the use of inferior seed points its own moral4 ,,importance ,,of ,,similar ,,conditions ,the farmer who has brought himself to the point of introducing alfalfa upon his farm should be extremely careful in the selection of seed4 ,in the first place it is important that he should sow such as is produced in about the same latitude as his farm and from a region of about the same rainfall1 thus keeping in a line of acclimation1 and with the habits and habitat1 as it were1 of what he is seeking to raise4 ,next1 he should not sow seed raised under irrigation if he is in a non-irrigation region4 ,a ,michigan farmer1 for example1 should sow seed grown as near to his latitude as possible1 say1 from ,wisconsin1 ,minnesota or the ,dakotas1 or not south of ,nebraska or ,kansas4 ,it is questionable1 at present1 whether it is wise or profitable to attempt raising alfalfa seed in the more humid districts of the eastern and southern parts of the ,united ,states4 ,it may be economy to leave the raising of seed to those regions with the least summer rainfall1 keeping always in mind the securing of seed grown under conditions nearly like those to which the seed is to be introduced4 ,speaking of the alleged different varieties of alfalfa1 the seed of which is urged upon buyers by seedsmen1 the editor of the ,oklahoma ,farm ,journal pertinently says3 8,we see occasional references to #8dry land' alfalfa and statements that it's a kind that just longs for the hilltops so that it may turn off big crops of rich hay from land too dry and hard to yield good sorghum4 ,don't forget that the one thing to look for when purchasing alfalfa seed is good seed1 that will grow4 ,it's hard to find and the price is usually high4 ,when you buy it1 buy subject to test and send a fair sample of about an ounce to your experiment station1 where it will be tested without charge4 ,at the present time there is but one variety of alfalfa that ,oklahoma farmers should buy1 and that is good alfalfa seed4 ,there is no #8dry land' variety of alfalfa1 and the much boomed ,turkestan variety isn't as good for sowing in ,oklahoma as ,oklahoma or ,kansas grown seed4 ,rich soil1 thorough preparation1 good seed well sowed1 cutting at the right time1 harrowing when weeds and grass bother1 all these are requisite to success with this most valuable crop1 and it pays for all the bother40 ,seed from ,nebraska and northwestern ,kansas has been generally successful through ,iowa and ,illinois1 and is probably adapted to ,ohio and southern ,pennsylvania4 ,utah seed produces good crops in ,minnesota1 the extremes of cold and heat in ,utah having developed a strain that does well in cold climates4 ,the writer would use ,utah grown seed for ,new ,york1 northern ,new ,jersey and northern ,pennsylvania1 and seed from ,wyoming or ,montana for ,new ,england4 ,on the sandy land of southern ,new ,jersey1 in ,delaware and ,maryland1 the seed grown in southern ,colorado and southern ,kansas ought to do well4 ,prof4 ,h4 ,m4 ,cottrell1 formerly agriculturist of the ,kansas experiment station1 says3 8,one year ,i sowed #bj acres to alfalfa--#ai acres with ,utah grown seed and one acre with imported seed2 both showed a germination of over #ih per cent1 and the growth was good from both lots all through the season1 with no difference that could be detected4 ,the next spring there was a good stand all over the #ai acres seeded with ,utah seed1 and not a single live plant on the acre seeded with the imported seed4 ,i have seen several trials with imported seed1 and never yet saw a good crop harvested from it4 ,usually after passing through the first winter there is from one-fourth to one-half a stand from such seed2 the plants make a weak growth and1 if allowed to remain1 most of them die out in two or three years4 ,descriptions of the puny growth in reports of failures of this crop1 given by eastern growers1 make one think that probably imported seed had been sown4 ,no intelligent farmer would take corn grown in the warm soil and climate and long season of southern ,kansas and expect to grow a good crop in ,new ,york on heavy soil with short seasons4 ,it is even more difficult to succeed with so great a change in growing alfalfa1 as it would have to withstand the long severe winter1 as well as the change in summer conditions4 ,no one should sow alfalfa seed without knowing where and under what conditions it was grown40 ,new seed1 other conditions being right1 is always preferable1 although that kept for several years1 properly cared for1 may have retained most of its germinability4 ,such tests as have been made appeared to show a loss in well stored seed of only about one and one-half per cent of germinability in five years4 ,w4 ,p4 ,headden 7,colorado ,bul4 ,no4 #ce7 after various experiments declares1 8the results are positive in showing that the age of seed up to six years does not affect its germinating power40 ,it is usually handled and stored by seedsmen in the ordinary seamless cotton sacks holding from #aej to #afj pounds1 and quoted and sold by the pound or hundred-pounds instead of by the bushel4 ,the legal weight of a bushel of recleaned alfalfa seed is sixty pounds4 ,although the seed is handled in sacks for convenience1 seedsmen say there is no good reason why it might not be safely stored in bulk in bins without any deterioration from heating1 or otherwise4 ,there might1 however1 be some degree of danger from weevils or other insect pests in warm weather4 ,exposed to too much light1 seed will lose its bright yellow color and change to a brownish cast4 ,when stored1 dealers say1 it does not go through a 8sweating0 process as do the seeds of some other forage plants and grasses4 ,,imports ,,and ,,exports ,,of ,,seed ,in years of large production in ,america and a shortage in other countries1 considerable ,american seed goes abroad to ,italy1 ,france1 ,germany and ,australia4 ,the largest portion is consigned to ,germany because extensive seed houses at ,hamburg act as distributers to all portions of the world1 from which they receive demands4 ,in recent years the ,united ,states has been a buyer rather than a seller1 and imports have been as follows3 ,year ,lbs4 #aijb-c #a1jah1eei #aijc-d #b1bjj1bfg #aijd-e #b1hfe1cbd ,according to the government authorities the bulk of the imported seed comes from ,germany and ,france4 ,that having the best reputation in ,europe comes from ,provence1 7southeastern7 ,france4 ,a small quantity comes from ,italy1 but it is not generally considered to be of as good quality as that grown farther north4 ,seedsmen complain that many consignments of the foreign seed contain large quantities of ,yellow trefoil and ,bur clover4 ,it is a fallacy popular among farmers and country seed dealers that great quantities of alfalfa seed are exported to be used for dyeing purposes4 ,there is no foundation in fact for such a belief1 and the exportations made1 like the importations1 are for seeding purposes exclusively4 ,,impurities ,,and ,,adulterations ,a foremost source of danger and loss1 aside from infertile seed1 is impurities and adulterants in the alfalfa seed planted4 ,growers often are careless and do not examine their alfalfa before or at the time of harvesting1 and do not reclean their seed after threshing1 thus sending out among innocent purchasers seed mixed with those of weeds1 inferior grasses and forage plants1 and with various trash which adds bulk and weight but has no value4 ,the commonest seed adulterants or impurities are those of ,sweet clover 7,melilotus alba7 7,illus4 opp4 p4 #bf71 ,bur clover 7,medicago denticulata71 ,spotted clover 7,medicago ,arabica7 7p4 #fg71 ,yellow trefoil or ,hop clover 7,medicago lupulina7 7p4 #bf71 and the ,dodders 7,cuscuta epithymum and ,cuscuta arvensis71 7pp4 #de and #dg74 ,illustration3 ,yellow ,trefoil ,pods ,the pods of ,yellow trefoil are shaped as here shown and contain but a single seed4 ,magnified four diameters ,illustration3 ,alfalfa ,seed ,pods ,alfalfa has a spiral pod of two or three turns1 often containing five or six seeds4 ,magnified four diameters ,illustration3 ,sweet ,clover ,pods ,magnified four diameters ,illustration3 ,bur ,clover ,seed ,pods ,the seeds are enclosed in a coiled pod which is covered with bristly projections as shown above4 ,magnified four diameters ,that an extraordinary proportion of the alfalfa seed in the markets1 wheresoever from1 is adulterated to an amazing extent with seeds of undesirable plants or loaded with worthless1 if not actually harmful impurities1 is being demonstrated by the ,united ,states ,department of ,agriculture4 ,in a circular pertaining to this work is given the following1 showing the adulterants found in samples bought in the open markets of the cities named3 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,seeds used as adulterants4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,sweet ,bur ,yellow ,total ,city where bought clover clover trefoil adulterants ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,per ,cent,per ,cent,per ,cent,per ,cent ,providence1 ,r4 ,i4 4444 #c4dg #cb4hf #cf4cc ,denver1 ,colo4 4444 #af4hf 4444 #af4hf ,rochester1 ,n4 ,y4 4444 #e4jb #ci4dh #dd4ej ,milwaukee1 ,wis4 4444 #e4gd 4444 #e4gd ,indianapolis1 ,ind4 4444 #d4bg #ch4dc #db4gj 4444 #c4ij #ci4ec #dc4dc ,marblehead1 ,mass4 4444 #c4jj 4444 #c4jj ,petersburg1 ,va4 4444 4444 #a4be #a4be ,cedar ,rapids1 ,iowa 4444 #e4di 4444 #e4di ,indianapolis1 ,ind4 4444 #c4cg #ch4ed #da4ia ,pittsfield1 ,mass4 #i4eb 4444 4444 #i4eb ,atlanta1 ,ga4 4444 #aj4jd 4444 #aj4jd ,salem1 ,ill4 4444 4444 #f4ih #f4ih ,st4 ,paul1 ,minn4 4444 4444 #ca4gg #ca4gg ,louisville1 ,ky4 4444 #af4ec 4444 #af4ec ,new ,haven1 ,conn4 4444 #e4hh #ci4he #de4gc ,independence1 ,iowa 4444 #ab4fi 4444 #ab4fi ,new ,orleans1 ,la4 4444 #b4eg 4#fc #c4bj ,troy1 ,n4 ,y4 4444 #f4bc #ca4bf #cg4di ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,in ,farmers' ,bulletin ,no4 #aid of the ,united ,states ,department of ,agriculture is given the table on page #cd to show the result of analyses of alfalfa seed imported within a period of six months4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,broken ,number ,number ,alfalfa seed of weedof dodder seed ,laboratory,alfalfa and ,weedseeds inseeds in that'll ,amount test ,no4 seed dirt seeds#a pound #a pound grow imported ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,per ,per,per ,per ,ct4 ,ct4,ct4 ,ct4 ,pounds #bajjj #ic4ch #e4h #j4hb #b1afj 4444 #fc4gc #d1jjj #bajja #ib4a #g4cd 4#ef #ijj 4444 #ei4ag #cj1hjj #bajjb #hb4bh #ae4ib #a4h #c1jfj 4444 #ff4fd #e1ejj #bajjc #hd4gb #aa4eh #c4g #c1dbj 4444 #eg4ci #cb1hgg #bajjd #hi4af #h4gh #b4jf #b1gjj #ij #fb4ah #ad1gjj #bajje #gd4jf #ba4ch #d4ef #ae1ibh #b1ebj #ec4hg #g1fac #bajjf #eh4gd #cd4df #f4h #cb1dbj #e1dij #bh4gh #cc1jge #bajjg #hf4ab #aa4cd #b4ed #h1ifd #bgj #fa4cf #h1ggi #bajjh #gc4jb #bb4cb #d4ff #ab1hbi #ij #di4fe #cb1ifc #bajji #if4hb #b4gb 4#df #iij 4444 #he4b #cc1jjj #bajaj #hf4b #ab4a #a4g #c1jfj 4444 #ee4ei #cj1hjj #bajaa #if4if #b4af 4#hh #a1gaj 4444 #hg4bf #e1ejj #bajab #hh4hd #c4ih #g4ah #ag1bii 4444 #dc4b #cc1jjj #bajac #if4bd #b4ff #a4a #c1eaj 4444 #gg4dg #ba1cdj #bajad #ia4jf #e4dd #c4e #g1fej 4444 #fb4ad #h1ggh #bajae #ic4dd #b4g #c4hf #h1ebf 4444 #gg4jh #cc1jjj #bajaf #gg4gh #af4jd #f4ah #af1dce #cfj #dg4hc #cc1jjj #bajag #ha4eb #ab4ah #f4c #ba1hdh #gbj #g4ac #af1bhj #bajah #fi4dh #bc4gh #f4gd #bc1jhb #haj #e4ba #ch1agb #bajai #if4e #c4jd 4#df #a1jhj 4444 #hh4ec #dd1jjj #bajbj #if4d #b4hb 4#gh #a1bfj 4444 #ia4hb #dd1jjj #bajba #id4d #e4jd 4#ef #a1fbj 4444 #ij4ae #gb1fjj #bajbb #bd4e #gj4if #d4ed #ba1jgj #d1iej #f4cd #ab1edj #bajbc #id4ad #a4h #d4jf #c1ghj 4444 #gc4dc #bcd #bajbd #id4eh #c4dd #a4ih #c1jfj 4444 #ea4gh #e1ejj #bajca #hg4gb #aa4jb #a4bf #d1adj #ij #ha4ad #adc1jjj #bajcb #ij4ef #h4jh #a4cf #c1dbj 4444 #gf4bi #cc1jjj #bajcc #hi4jd #aj4e 4#df #a1bfj #ij #hd4g #f1fgc #bajce #gb4cf #bg4a 4#ed #bgj 4444 #fd4eh #ac1eaf ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,bearing also upon the adulterations1 impurities and defectives found in alfalfa seed sold in the markets1 extracts from reports of tests made at the ,wooster1 ,ohio station 7,bul4 ,no4 #adb7 are exceedingly interesting4 ,in fifteen samples bought1 each of one dollar's worth1 the quantity of pure germinable seed was found to range from #e4a to #i4c pounds2 the number of noxious seeds found in a dollar's worth of that bought as alfalfa seed ranged from #cfj to #ahe1idj4 ,seven of the fifteen one-dollar samples each carried more than #bc1jjj noxious seeds4 ,seed bought at #g4hj per bushel showed as low as #fa4b per cent that was germinable1 of which the actual cost was #ab4gd per bushel4 ,none of the fifteen samples had less than #gg per cent of germinable seed4 ,one pound sample contained #ba1gbh noxious seeds1 of which #ah1add were lamb's-quarter or pigweeds2 the same pound also had #cabf seeds of dodder4 ,another pound carried #fdbj seeds of crab grass1 and one had #ccbe seeds of foxtail4 ,the station authorities recommend that no alfalfa seed be sown until carefully screened through a screen fine enough to remove dodder seeds4 ,wire sieves or screens with twenty meshes to the inch are found to serve the purpose4 ,,adulterants ,,described ,,and ,,illustrated ,as a further and more thorough discussion of the frequent adulterants1 ,prof4 ,h4 ,f4 ,roberts1 botanist of the ,kansas experiment station1 has kindly prepared1 with illustrations1 for this volume the quoted statements which follow here3 8,the immense and steadily increasing value of alfalfa as a forage crop in the ,united ,states1 and the high price of the seed1 make the securing of sound1 pure seed a matter of supreme importance to farmers1 and render it equally important for them to be able to recognize1 by sight1 the presence in alfalfa seed of the adulterants and seeds of certain weeds most commonly known to occur4 ,there is conclusive evidence that an amount of adulteration and substitution is actually practiced with alfalfa seed4 ,it is usually charged that this is done abroad1 especially1 as is alleged1 in ,germany4 8,the writer has been informed that1 to a limited extent1 the practice exists in ,america4 ,the chief adulterant used is the seed of the ,yellow trefoil1 or1 as it is sometimes called1 ,hop clover or ,black medick4 7,see illustrations opposite pages #bf and #cb47 ,about fifty species of plants are known as #8medicks' or1 scientifically1 ,medicago2 but it so happens that the only perennial species among them is alfalfa1 which goes under the botanical name of ,medicago sativa1 7p4 #a74 ,other species such as ,yellow trefoil 7,medicago lupulina7 7p4 #ch7 and ,bur clover 7,medicago denticulata17 while they possess some forage value and are useful to a limited extent1 lack1 for the most part1 the lush1 abundant growth of alfalfa itself1 and are notably inferior through the fact of their annual habit4 ,it is because of its perennial nature1 therefore1 as well as on account of its rank1 succulent growth1 that no species of annual leguminous plant can hope to compete with alfalfa for a moment in importance4 ,this means1 then1 that any substitute for alfalfa seed1 or adulteration of it with the seed of another related species1 such as ,yellow trefoil or ,bur clover1 is distinctly a fraud of serious character1 despite the fact that the adulterants are plants that make fair pasturage and have some forage value4 ,they are merely annuals1 ending their life with the season1 whereas a field of alfalfa should live twenty years or more1 under right conditions4 ,,the ,,chief ,,adulterant 8,at present1 as stated1 ,yellow trefoil is the chief adulterant used in ,american alfalfa seed4 ,a number of cases1 indeed1 of complete or almost complete substitution of ,yellow trefoil for alfalfa seed have come to the writer's attention within the past year4 ,it is important1 therefore1 for farmers to know the characteristic marks of distinction between the seed of alfalfa and of its chief adulterants4 ,what are the chief characteristics of alfalfa seed8 ,facing page #ac are samples of pure alfalfa seed1 photographed under a magnification of five diameters4 ,it will be noted that seeds of three general types exist3 7#a7 ,a kidney-shaped type1 marked #8a' in the illustration2 7#b7 a type in which one end terminates in an acute wedge1 marked #8e'2 and 7#c7 a type that is round or nearly so1 marked #8b'4 ,these types clearly illustrated1 arranged for comparison in parallel rows are shown opposite page #dd4 ,see also page #bg4 ,it should be noticed that type #b is the most characteristic and frequent1 and that the perfectly round type is extremely rare4 ,this angular slant toward one tip of the seed is found nowhere among any of the adulterants4 ,neither does the kidney shape of seed occur1 except in ,bur clover2 and1 in that case1 the difference in the size of the seeds of the two species is sufficient to distinguish them1 in most instances4 ,illustration3 ,yellow ,trefoil3 ,black ,medic3 ,hop ,clover 7,medicago lupulina7 8,it is when we consider the round or roundish type of alfalfa seed that there is difficulty in distinguishing from alfalfa the seeds of ,yellow trefoil and of ,sweet clover 7illus4 opp4 p4 #bf71 which latter frequently occurs as a weed seed1 and possibly in some cases in sufficient quantity to be suspected as an adulterant4 ,by comparison of the seeds of alfalfa with the two adulterants just mentioned1 7p4 #bf7 the resemblances and differences of the three species will become evident4 ,in general the seeds of ,yellow trefoil are shorter and rounder than those of alfalfa1 the largest seeds of trefoil measuring #j4jfbi inch wide by #j4jhig inch long2 whereas the largest alfalfa seeds measure #j4jfec inch wide by #j4aaec inch long2 so that the largest alfalfa seeds are a trifle wider and more than a third again as long as the largest trefoil seeds4 ,the smallest seeds of ,yellow trefoil are usually plumper and shorter than those of alfalfa 7#j4jeaa inch wide by #j4jbia inch long1 as compared with #j4jdif inch wide by #j4jgea inch long in alfalfa72 nevertheless1 among both the small and the large seeds1 so far as the criterion of size goes1 individuals occur that equally well belong to either species1 and the average differences in size are not so great as the differences found on comparing the largest and the smallest seeds of the two species1 the average for the trefoil being #j4jegd inch by #j4jgii inch1 and for alfalfa #j4jehb inch by #j4jidd inch4 ,so it will be seen at once that while trefoil seeds as a rule are smaller1 shorter and rounder than those of alfalfa1 the rule is transgressed by many individuals4 ,we must1 therefore1 turn to the form and general outline of the seed4 ,a farmer can detect at once an attempt to substitute wholly ,yellow trefoil for alfalfa seed by the fact that in no case will the kidney-shaped or the regular-pointed types of seed be found in trefoil1 whereas these always occur in alfalfa4 7,illustrated opp p4 #bf47 8,in the more common cases1 where adulteration rather than complete substitution is practiced1 detection is more difficult--is practically impossible1 in fact1 without the aid of a lens or magnifying glass having a power of about fifteen diameters4 ,there are many seeds of trefoil which can scarcely be distinguished from certain rounded seeds of alfalfa4 ,generally1 however1 the trefoil seed has a little projection or 8beak0 on the middle line of the seed1 just back of the scar marking where the seed was attached to the pod4 ,this is rarely found in alfalfa4 8,bur clover as an adulterant is probably not so frequently used as ,yellow trefoil1 since the larger size of its seed renders detection easy4 ,were it not for this fact1 ,bur clover would be a most effective adulterant1 because its seeds resemble those of alfalfa more closely than do those of ,yellow trefoil4 ,there are1 of course1 smaller seeds of ,bur clover and larger seeds of alfalfa that approximate each other in size1 but the average ,bur clover seeds measure #j4jfjd inch by #j4aahh inch1 as compared with an average for alfalfa of only #j4jehb inch by #j4jidd inch4 8,so far as the plants of ,yellow trefoil and ,bur clover are concerned1 they are easily distinguishable from alfalfa4 ,both are of lower growth1 as a rule1 than alfalfa4 ,both have wider leaflets1 which1 in ,bur clover1 are like broad1 inverted wedges4 ,the flowers of these plants are yellow1 and are borne in scanty clusters4 ,the pods are wholly unlike those of alfalfa4 ,alfalfa has a spiral pod of two or three turns 7p4 #cb71 containing as many as five or six seeds4 ,yellow trefoil has a straight pod 7p4 #cb71 containing but one seed4 ,bur clover has a coiled pod 7p4 #cc71 but covered with bristly projections that give the plant its name4 ,where adulteration or substitution is practiced1 some of the pods are very apt to occur in the bulk seed1 and they can then easily be identified and distinguished from those of alfalfa4 8,seed of ,sweet clover seems to occur frequently in western-grown alfalfa seed 7p4 #bf74 ,sweet clover 7illustrated in this book7 grows to a height frequently of from four to six feet1 bearing small1 white flowers on slender spikes three or four inches long4 ,unfortunately1 and unlike ,yellow trefoil and ,bur clover1 ,sweet clover is generally rejected by stock4 ,on this account1 it is a plant of no generally established value for hay or as pasture1 although1 in some instances1 it is successfully used4 ,the seeds of ,sweet clover are of a golden yellow when ripe2 those of alfalfa1 trefoil and ,bur clover being greenish yellow4 ,the seed coat of ,sweet clover seed is covered with minute elevations1 while alfalfa seed is smooth4 ,the seeds of ,sweet clover 7p4 #bf7 are rounder and plumper than those of alfalfa1 and have a very pronounced groove between the main body of the seed and the ridge which marks the location of the rootlet of the young plant within4 ,it is this ridge that in alfalfa seeds runs off1 as a rule1 in a marked slant1 but which in both trefoil and ,sweet clover1 especially in the latter1 forms a well-rounded curve to the tip of the seed4 ,no pointed or kidney-shaped seeds are ever seen in ,sweet clover4 7,see illus4 opp4 p4 #bf47 ,a ,,common ,,weed ,,in ,,imported ,,alfalfa ,,seed 8,it remains to mention the most common weed found in imported alfalfa seed--the ,english or ,ribbed plantain1 or1 as it is more generally called in the ,west1 ,buck-horn or ,rib grass4 ,it is a difficult weed to eradicate1 lots of seed containing any noticeable percentage of it should be rejected4 7,see illus4 opp4 p4 #ac47 8,the farmer is often to blame for the poor seed of which he makes complaint4 ,prime alfalfa seed is expensive1 and a cheap grade will inevitably be poor in quality1 containing much dead seed1 rubbish1 and the seeds of many kinds of weeds4 ,where #8cheap' alfalfa seed is demanded it will always be sold1 and buyers need not be surprised by its quality4 ,on the other hand1 there is no excuse or palliation for the offense of selling1 under the name and at the price of standard alfalfa seed1 seed of substituted species4 ,it is the duty of seed dealers to ascertain beforehand the character and genuineness of seed that they sell under any given name1 and this applies to the retailers as well as to the wholesale dealers4 ,on the other hand1 farmers cannot expect to obtain the best seed unless they are willing to pay the price it brings40 ,,dodder ,,seed ,dodder seeds are somewhat smaller than alfalfa seeds 7pp4 #de and #dg71 but are not separated from them except by careful recleaning2 consequently1 they are often sown along with the alfalfa seed1 especially in that which has been imported4 ,if a field is badly infested1 it should be plowed up and devoted to some other crop for a few years4 ,prof4 ,f4 ,h4 ,hillman of ,nevada 7,bul4 ,no4 #dg7 says there are several kinds that infest alfalfa1 but two kinds are especially common and destructive in this country4 ,cuscuta epithymum is the commoner4 8,the seeds of this 7p4 #dg7 are very small1 and are almost sure to escape detection on casual examination of the samples2 yet1 once recognized under the lens1 their presence may be easily discovered4 ,they are so much smaller than alfalfa seeds that the use of a sieve of twenty meshes per inch separates them from the latter when only free dodder seeds are present4 ,not only are various other small weed seeds disposed of in the process1 but little if any alfalfa seed worth buying is lost4 ,the few ripened flowers of dodder retaining matured seeds1 which sometimes pass the thresher uninjured1 may be removed by proper fanning4 ,it is safe to say that no purchaser of alfalfa seed can afford to neglect sifting his seed carefully with a twenty-mesh sieve1 which is the mesh the writer recommends for the separation of this kind of dodder from alfalfa seed4 8,cuscuta arvensis is another dodder as destructive when once established4 ,its seeds 7p4 #dg7 seem to be less common1 however4 ,they are larger than the preceding1 many of them being practically the same size as the smaller1 more rounded alfalfa seeds1 which they often strikingly resemble4 ,thus they are hard to detect1 and cannot be removed without the loss of much small alfalfa seed4 ,this should be the more dreaded of the two dodders1 because alfalfa seed infested with seeds of ,cuscuta epithymum can be made practically free from them with comparatively little loss and expense4 ,not so1 however1 with seed containing ,cuscuta arvensis1 which should not be purchased at any price4 ,dodder seeds can scarcely be regarded as an adulterant1 yet as an impurity they are very common and most objectionable40 7,see illustrations opp4 pp4 #de1 #df and #dg47 ,,chapter ,v4 ,soil and ,seeding ,,variate1 ,,yet ,,uniform ,in this double title we have a case of the widest variations and the most positive and rigid uniformity4 ,alfalfa may be grown in almost every possible kind of soil and under almost all soil conditions 7save two71 but omitting these the seeding1 including the tilth of the ground1 is based1 so far as any future success is concerned1 on perfect cultivation4 ,the dictum1 8,alfalfa must have a dry1 warm1 sandy loam1 very rich0 has become obsolete1 as already pointed out4 ,there are just two soil conditions that seem absolutely against the growth of alfalfa4 ,the first is a soil constantly wet4 ,the common remark1 8,alfalfa will not stand #8wet feet'10 seems to be the expression of a law4 ,it does not do well where the water is nearer to the surface than six feet1 or where in winter water will stand on the ground for over forty-eight hours4 ,this invariably smothers the plants2 in fact it usually kills any crop4 ,if water flows over the field for some such time1 due to a freshet1 the alfalfa is often found uninjured if too much soil has not been deposited on and around the plants4 ,even in such instances fields have been saved by a disking once or twice1 but it is wholly unwise to sow on a field subject to overflow1 or one where water rises to the surface in winter or spring2 likewise on a field so flat that water will not run off in time of a heavy rain or promptly drain out through the sub-surface4 ,the time is rapidly coming everywhere when the intelligent farmer will not try to raise any crop on such a field1 undrained4 ,the alfalfa roots will find their way to moisture if given the right surface conditions4 ,there are profitable alfalfa meadows in parts of ,kansas where it is eighty feet to water1 but there has not yet been found one that is prosperous where water comes close to the surface1 or where it stands on the ground in winter4 ,illustration3 ,three ,general ,types of ,alfalfa ,seed ,the right-hand column1 kidney-shaped1 a characteristic form1 but not so common as the type in the central column4 ,the left-hand column approaches more nearly the rounded type of ,sweet clover4 ,magnification five diameters ,illustration3 ,dodder ,seed ,magnified ,illustration3 ,alfalfa ,seed ,magnified ,the other kind of soil where alfalfa refuses to grow is that in which there is too much acidity4 ,this is often the case where corn and wheat have been raised for many years1 thus robbing the soil of much lime2 a condition that may be remedied by an application of lime to the land just before sowing the alfalfa1 harrowing it in beforehand or1 if the seed is to be broadcasted1 the lime may be applied just before sowing1 when once harrowing will suffice for both1 or it may be sown with a drill--#ejj to #ajjj pounds per acre4 ,a simple test for acidity is to make a deep cut in the ground with a knife1 pressing the earth slightly apart2 then push a piece of litmus paper into the opening and press the earth together4 ,leave the paper there for a few hours4 ,if upon examination the litmus paper has a pink appearance it is proof of acidity1 and this1 as already said1 may best be remedied with lime4 ,,soil ,,preparation ,with the only two negative points considered1 the more important conditions upon which success will depend may be discussed4 ,one chief essential is the advance preparation4 ,many of the most successful growers begin their preparations two or three years before they sow the seed4 ,there must be1 by rights1 the most perfect physical condition of the soil4 ,it should have been plowed deep for at least two years1 and in most fields in the central and northern states a two- or three-inch subsoiling along with a seven- or eight-inch plowing will be very helpful4 ,if corn is to precede a spring sowing1 the ground should have a liberal dressing of stable manure plowed under for humus1 to encourage earthworms and to introduce the particular bacteria so essential to alfalfa's welfare or at least furnish favorable conditions for bacteria1 and the harrow should follow the plow each day4 ,the soil's condition should be like that for a garden4 ,care should be taken never to work with the ground when too wet1 as such working almost inevitably results in clods and baked soil4 ,the corn should be cultivated often1 and a liberal sowing of cowpeas just before the last cultivation1 which should be shallow1 has been found quite helpful4 ,this crop will repress and take the place of weeds1 furnish a rich food for fattening pigs or lambs after the corn is cut1 add fertility to the soil1 and also introduce bacteria similar to the bacteria for the alfalfa4 ,the cowpea1 being a legume1 prepares the way for alfalfa1 its near relative4 ,illustration3 ,dodder ,plant on an ,alfalfa ,stem ,illustration3 ,dodder1 7,cuscuta arvensis7 7a7 ,a group of seeds 7enlarged71 showing the prevailing forms2 7a1 b1 and c7 individual seeds having somewhat the form of clover seeds2 7d7 a group showing the natural size ,illustration3 ,alfalfa and ,dodder ,seed4 ,actual ,size ,illustration3 ,dodder1 7,cuscuta epithymum7 7a7 ,a group of seeds showing comparative forms and relative size 7enlarged72 7b7 a group showing the natural size2 7c7 the embryo removed from the seed1 showing the form it usually assumes2 7d7 a section of a seed1 showing the manner in which the embryo lies imbedded in the endosperm ,,keep ,,down ,,the ,,weeds ,it is always timely to emphasize the very great importance of keeping down weeds in the cornfield where alfalfa is to be sowed the next spring4 ,if corn is husked from the fields1 the stalks should not be pastured except when the ground is fully frozen4 ,later they should be thoroughly broken1 raked and burned1 to leave the land in the best condition for spring work4 ,if the corn is cut and fodder hauled off1 the stubs should be broken in cold weather by a pole or other drag1 and raked and burned as recommended for the stalks4 ,this adapts the ground for disking and harrowing early in ,march4 ,then every ten days the field should be disked or harrowed to conserve moisture1 to start weeds and then kill them1 and to bring the ground into the desirable tilth4 ,ordinarily1 in the central states1 sowing may be done early in ,april1 while in the ,south this may be done by the middle of ,march1 and in ,wisconsin and ,canada by the last of ,april or early ,may1 although the dates are variable4 ,many report seeding in ,kansas the middle of ,may1 obtaining a clipping in ,july and a hay crop in ,september4 ,others report sowing in ,march and cutting a hay crop in ,june4 ,some ,wisconsin reports say that the first of ,june is early enough1 while others in that state and in ,minnesota prefer to sow two or three weeks earlier1 and still others in ,wisconsin sow in ,april4 ,the important things to keep in mind are to have the soil right and the weeds disposed of1 and to sow when the weather and moisture and conditions are right4 ,alfalfa is a child of the sun2 permanent shade from any source is its enemy1 and when young it is not a good fighter against adversaries of any sort4 ,more failures are due to weeds than to any other one cause1 and unfortunately all the weeds do not grow on the land of the farmer who is shiftless or neglectful4 ,the latter is so benevolent as to permit his weeds to scatter their seeds to the fields of his neighbors4 ,if a spring sowing is to be made on wheat ground1 the land will be helped by a liberal dressing of manure immediately after the harvest1 and by plowing and harrowing at once2 then sowing about the last of ,august to rye or wheat for fall and winter pasturage1 and to prevent the soil from leaching or washing4 ,in the spring the land should be disked and harrowed for alfalfa1 keeping in mind the point emphasized in the preceding paragraph4 ,instead of the rye or wheat1 cowpeas may be sowed after the wheat harvest2 thus both fertility and bacteria will be added to the soil1 and the farmer have a valuable pasture crop for pigs or lambs4 ,if the season is extremely favorable1 a hay crop may be cut in early ,october4 ,if potatoes are to precede a spring sowing of alfalfa1 more than usual care should be taken to keep the field clean of weeds4 ,some farmers do well by sowing millet with the last cultivation of potatoes1 leaving the potatoes in the ground until after the millet is harvested1 and when the crop is dug the land is free from weeds4 ,then it may be harrowed or disked and seeded to rye for winter pasture4 ,some plow the potato ground in the fall and sow to wheat or rye4 ,certainly if weeds are present the ground should be plowed as soon as the potatoes are dug4 ,the idea is to secure a fine seed bed and have the ground free from weeds1 the great curse of the ,american farm4 ,all things considered there is probably no crop which leaves the soil in finer physical condition for alfalfa-sowing than millet1 and none that is more unsatisfactory for a like purpose than sorghum or ,kafir corn that was planted in hills or rows4 ,a clover sod for a spring sowing should be plowed in ,september or ,october1 disked or harrowed1 and not infrequently a light sowing of rye for winter pasture is feasible4 ,in early spring use disk and tooth harrows on the land4 ,it is excellent if a liberal application of rotted stable manure is plowed under with the clover sod4 ,usually it is better to follow clover with a corn or potato crop before seeding to alfalfa4 ,,fall ,,sowing ,fall sowing presents fewer difficulties than spring sowing4 ,corn is not the preceding crop and hence the weed problem is not so formidable4 ,usually a fall sowing follows millet or oats1 cowpeas or potatoes4 ,almost any crop except the sorghums may be grown to precede alfalfa for a fall sowing2 these should not be as they consume too much moisture4 ,if possible1 put on a dressing of stable manure the preceding winter2 plow deep in the spring and work to a fine tilth for the summer crop4 ,south of the latitude of #dj degrees cowpeas is one of the best preparatory crops4 ,they are legumes1 and the bacteria that live on their roots are similar to those upon the alfalfa roots2 they are also nitrogen-gatherers1 taking nitrogen from the air as does the alfalfa1 and thus they prepare the soil for alfalfa4 ,besides1 cowpeas are a valuable forage1 the hay being worth almost as much1 pound for pound1 as that of alfalfa4 ,when cut off they leave the ground ready for disking and other preparation4 ,millet is also excellent for this purpose1 leaving the soil unusually friable4 ,potatoes make a satisfactory preparatory crop1 but the danger from them too often is neglect to keep the weeds down4 ,as soon as the land is free1 it should be disked and harrowed1 and this repeated about every ten days until the time for sowing4 ,,recent ,,plowing ,,not ,,desirable ,it is seen that plowing for alfalfa just preceding the seeding is not recommended4 ,plowing leaves the sub-surface too loose1 thus depriving the roots of a sufficiently firm footing and making a full sowing more liable to harm from freezing and thawing1 and the spring sowing to harm from a dry summer4 ,the necessity of the most perfect surface conditions cannot be to often emphasized1 and this too includes considerable compactness rather than a too light or ashy condition4 ,there must be no clods1 no stiff and stubborn humps4 ,if alfalfa is to follow clover1 and to be seeded in the fall1 the sod should be broken early after the clover is harvested and each day's plowing harrowed that day2 then the field disked and cross-disked and harrowed again4 ,after that it should be disked1 lapping half1 every ten or fifteen days until time for seeding4 ,alfalfa may follow timothy if the sod is not too old and stubborn1 and it may be treated the same as clover sod4 ,,introduce ,,bacteria ,,by ,,preparatory ,,sowing ,another form of preparation followed by many successful growers1 men who do not complain about alfalfa not doing well 8here10 is the sowing of a few pounds of alfalfa seed on the field two or three years before it is intended to sow for a permanent crop4 ,mr4 ,joseph ,e4 ,wing1 of central western ,ohio1 a widely known farmer1 stockman1 and writer on matters agricultural1 uses alfalfa in a regular rotation1 and two years before he is ready to sow it on a given field as a main crop1 sows clover and timothy along with two or three pounds of alfalfa seed1 for a pasture crop4 ,thus the bacteria are introduced1 and when the pasture is plowed for the full sowing of alfalfa1 the disking and harrowing that follow distribute the bacteria throughout the soil1 and the probabilities of a good stand are greatly enhanced4 ,he sometimes sows two or three pounds of alfalfa seed to the acre with a wheat crop two years before he is to sow the field entirely to alfalfa4 ,another1 in a state where the experiment station director still declares alfalfa-raising to be doubtful1 writes that he has not had a failure in a decade1 and his plan is to precede alfalfa with winter wheat1 sowing a little alfalfa seed with the wheat1 probably three pounds to the acre1 and the next fall after giving the land a thorough preparation he sows fifteen pounds of alfalfa seed to the acre4 ,another reports pleasing results in two different fields by sowing in the spring five pounds of alfalfa seed with clover2 in two years the alfalfa stood thick on the ground1 having crowded out the clover4 ,if these plans introduce the bacteria into the soil1 it may be wondered why it would not be equally helpful to sow two or three pounds of alfalfa seed per acre with the oats or millet in the spring1 preparatory to the thorough seeding to alfalfa in the fall4 ,another man1 whose profit in raising alfalfa has been marked1 reports that his soil is very waxy and hard to deal with4 ,he has met this trouble by listing his ground in the fall and leaving it thus open for hard freezing throughout the winter4 ,he then disks and cross-disks in the spring1 putting the soil in fine tilth1 and sowing millet as a preparatory crop4 ,he has occasionally sowed alfalfa in the spring1 following the fall listing and later freezing of his ground4 ,,all ,,crops ,,demand ,,conditions ,alfalfa1 like corn and cotton1 demands certain conditions of the soil and certain constituents in that soil4 ,every crop demands its certain foods4 ,all crops except alfalfa and the other legumes obtain practically all their food1 including nitrogen1 from the soil4 ,the latter crops use nitrogen but get it from the air4 ,alfalfa takes nitrogen from the soil only during the first few months of its growth1 and thereafter not only takes its own necessary supply from the air1 but a large surplus which it stores in the soil1 available for whatever crop may follow4 ,other crops take much nitrogen from the soil1 but contribute nothing to its enrichment4 ,,spring ,,or ,,fall ,,sowing--,,which8 ,this has been a much argued question with experimenters4 ,possibly it will be found to be of minor importance in itself1 depending more upon other conditions than the season4 ,from the northern tier of states many reports favor spring sowing1 yet from each come letters in favor of fall sowing4 ,several experiment stations in the ,south are in favor of spring sowing1 yet report satisfactory results from fall seeding4 ,it seems pretty well established1 however1 that fall sowing is safer in the central latitude states1 say including ,ohio1 ,nebraska1 ,missouri1 ,kansas1 ,colorado and ,utah1 and states within the same parallels4 ,in other states prevailing opinions favor spring sowing4 ,nevertheless1 when all conditions are understood1 fall sowing seems likely to become the established practice throughout the ,united ,states4 ,this is in line with the system for the more staple crops and common rotation2 it gives opportunity to bring the ground into better condition2 the preparation and sowing come at the most convenient season1 and one of relatively greater leisure2 there is less interruption by unfavorable weather2 the soil1 responding more readily to surface cultivation1 permits the work to be done with less danger of surface water retarding normal root development1 and the annual weeds being dead they cannot interfere with the first growth of the alfalfa4 ,sown in the fall1 with time to secure some growth for winter protection1 alfalfa will be ready to respond to the first call of spring1 and for the mower early in ,june4 ,moreover1 if it fails from freezing or other cause1 little crop-time is lost4 ,the farmer has but to disk and harrow in ,april or early ,may1 and sow half as much seed as he sowed in the fall1 and he will have prospect of a cutting in eighty or ninety days1 at an expenditure of but few pounds of seed and a little labor4 ,,disadvantages ,,of ,,spring ,,sowing ,ordinarily1 if a farmer sows in the spring1 he has his old enemy1 the weeds1 to contend with4 ,if the season be damp and cloudy1 the alfalfa may not grow fast1 but weeds will4 ,therefore1 ,june may see him mowing to retard a rampant growth of weeds instead of gathering a profitable cutting of prime hay4 ,it is not improbable that he may be doing the same in ,july or in ,september1 thus losing a whole season4 ,again1 the spring preparation comes when the farmer needs to be working his corn and potato land2 hence he is likely to slight or neglect the careful preparation of the alfalfa ground and so do a poor job1 with1 in such cases1 the usual result of a 8poor stand40 ,then too1 the frequent rains interfere with regular disking and harrowing and the weeds may obtain a start the farmer cannot check4 ,in most cases fall sowing means three cuttings the following year4 ,in many instances spring sowing means no crop the first season1 although better farming will gain a ,september crop1 while the best farming1 with no weeds1 may give two if not three crops2 not heavy ones1 perhaps1 but of no inconsiderable value4 ,commenting on spring sowing in the more northern states1 ,henry ,wallace1 editor of ,wallaces' ,farmer1 says3 8,our own experience in growing alfalfa both in ,nebraska and ,iowa has taught us that it is a waste of time and labor to sow in the spring4 ,if sown in the spring without a nurse crop1 it will have to be mowed twice1 probably three times1 to keep down the weeds1 and even then it will not be in as good condition as if a crop of early corn or even oats was taken off1 and the ground put in fine condition and seeded in ,august4 8,in #aijd we sowed in the spring #bej acres of alfalfa on our ,nebraska farm1 and some twenty or thirty acres of it was washed in ridges by a very heavy rain immediately after4 ,we reseeded the vacant spaces in the fall and later could see no difference between the fall sowing and the spring sowing4 ,we did the same thing on one of our ,iowa farms1 sowing in the spring and mowing three times4 ,another piece was sowed in ,august4 ,the ,august sowing was much better than the spring sowing4 ,it should be said1 however1 that the land was richer and the difference was therefore not all due to the time of sowing4 ,so long as ,kansas farmers continued to sow their alfalfa in the spring they had but partial success1 owing to the fact that ,crab grass and other grasses will come up in the early fall and smother out the spring sowing4 ,by using some other crop the first part of the season1 then putting the land in fine condition in the month of ,august or even by ,september #ast1 an alfalfa crop can be started which will have a strong enough growth to smother out the weeds the next spring4 8,we don't know that we would insist on this so strongly for northern ,iowa and ,minnesota1 but certainly from the latitude of the ,northwestern railroad in ,iowa1 south1 and corresponding latitude in other states1 we would abandon spring sowing and sow alfalfa on well prepared ground in ,august4 ,we would not1 however1 plow the ground for this fall sowing1 but put the soil in first-class condition for a spring crop1 then use a disk and harrow for the fall preparation40 ,,seeding ,,by ,,drill ,,or ,,broadcast8 ,here too1 there is a variety of opinions1 all based on experience4 ,those who object most to drills may have used poor implements1 with feeding gears not well regulated1 or possibly they have not known how to use the drills4 ,many who object to the broadcast method have had little training or skill in it4 ,it is reasonable to suppose1 however1 that given soil in fine tilth1 and a good drill rightly adjusted1 there will be a more even1 and hence a more economical distribution and a better and more uniform covering of the seed4 ,it is also claimed that drilling secures a more uniform distribution of soil moisture4 ,the general opinion is that by sowing with a drill1 properly regulated1 one can safely use five pounds less of seed per acre4 ,some alfalfa raisers use a wheelbarrow seeder2 others use a kind of swing seeder strapped to the sower's body2 still others1 who have had training in the old-fashioned method of broadcasting1 declare it the best1 but the experiment stations of practically all the states1 and most up-to-date farmers1 favor the use of the press drill4 ,there are now on the market different types of alfalfa seeders which can be attached or are already attached to the ordinary grain drill1 and that will distribute the seed in any desired quantities per acre with broadcast effect or leave it in drill rows as may be preferred4 ,at the ,kansas ,experiment ,station success has followed broadcasting1 and cross-drilling gave no particular advantage4 ,,how ,,much ,,seed ,,to ,,the ,,acre8 ,reports of seed sown1 varying from six to sixty pounds to the acre1 indicate much ignorance of the nature of the alfalfa plant2 or a great recklessness and extravagance4 ,twenty pounds to the acre1 if all seeds germinated1 would mean #b1ejj1jjj to #c1jjj1jjj plants1 whereas a stand of #ejj1jjj is ample4 ,most of the experiment stations favor twenty to thirty pounds to the acre1 although several experts at these stations insist that fifteen pounds of clean1 germinable seed to the acre is as much as should be sowed4 ,even if these all grew it would give nearly #dd plants to the foot square of land1 or four to five times as many as would thrive after two years old4 ,of course the quantity may depend upon a variety of circumstances1 such as the vitality of the seed1 condition of the surface soil1 condition of the subsoil as to moisture1 the method of sowing1 weather conditions at the time of sowing or immediately after1 also the natural fertility of the soil and the bacterial life present1 or at least the conditions for propagating or sustaining bacterial life4 ,with land prepared by sowing a few pounds of seed six months or a year preceding1 with a heavy application of stable manure plowed under six months before1 perfect soil preparation1 normal moisture1 and clean seed1 testing ninety per cent germinable1 there should be no need for more than ten pounds to the acre4 ,disking that the field should have later will split the crowns and many new stalks will be sent up2 so that in a few years a square foot of surface will not accommodate more than six to ten robust1 vigorous plants1 and having these the ideal stand has pretty nearly been attained4 ,one plant has been known to send out as many as #cfj branches from its single main root1 resembling in form a spreading bush4 ,a successful farmer in ,geary county1 ,kansas1 who has been raising alfalfa for twenty years1 seldom sows more than six pounds of seed to the acre and never more than ten4 ,a prominent ,ohio farmer usually sows but ten1 and never over twelve or fifteen pounds to the acre1 although he has always introduced alfalfa bacteria into the soil one or two years before ready to give it a full seeding4 ,of strictly good seed1 well cleaned1 twelve pounds would likely be too much rather than too little1 other conditions being right4 ,,with ,,or ,,without ,a ,,nurse ,,crop8 ,the practice of sowing a nurse crop with alfalfa was inaugurated when the nature of the plant was not as well understood as now4 ,it was also somewhat on the theory too that 8a half-loaf is better than no bread40 ,it began when there was a good deal of doubt about 8getting a stand10 and the farmer thought no doubt that a crop of oats or barley would pay for the plowing even if the alfalfa failed4 ,while the practice is continued by many1 the prevalent later method is to provide no nurse crop4 ,few who have abandoned the nurse crop have returned to it4 ,the alfalfa plant does not need protection from the sun1 nor is it bettered by dividing any of the soil moisture or fertility with those of another crop4 ,on the other hand1 if alfalfa is sowed in the spring1 it is important that it obtain an early start in order that its roots can quickly work their way down into the moisture of the subsoil1 against the dry days of ,july and ,august4 ,when a nurse crop of any vigor is removed the alfalfa plants are likely to be found weak1 spindling and with little root growth2 the nurse crop also has taken up some of the soil nitrogen needed by the young alfalfa2 or if the nurse crop is heavy and has lodged1 there will be left bare spots1 where the alfalfa has been smothered out4 ,cutting the nurse crop is likely to be attended with no little damage to the tender alfalfa plants by trampling their crowns into the ground1 or by breaking them off4 ,practically all the experiment stations favor sowing alone4 ,with few exceptions the second and third years have brought heavier yields where no nurse crop was used4 ,the theory that the nurse crop will prevent the weeds choking the alfalfa is apparently1 as a rule1 not well founded4 ,in the first place alfalfa should not be sown on foul land1 and in the second place proper disking and harrowing1 at near intervals for four or six weeks before sowing1 will disturb or kill far more weeds than can any nurse crop4 ,besides1 the oats or barley sown as a nurse will when cut leave weeds in good growth1 or dormant and ready to spring up as fast or faster than the alfalfa4 ,no nurse crop is ever used with fall sowing4 ,when ground has been thoroughly prepared for the preceding crop1 and then properly cared for1 and made ready for the alfalfa by the preliminary weed destruction1 it will be found advisable to sow alfalfa alone1 even in the spring4 ,,inoculating ,,the ,,soil ,it has been found where alfalfa shows thrifty vigor1 is making a good stand1 and is at least two years old1 that on the roots are little nodules or wart-like protuberances4 ,on fields where the alfalfa is unthrifty or failing to make a good stand1 examination will probably fail to discover any of these nodules4 ,scientists tell us that these nodules are the homes of bacteria1 microscopic vegetable organisms obtaining their sustenance from the nitrogen of the air and the starch of the plant2 that they collect much more nitrogen than they need1 the over-supply being taken up by the alfalfa1 which1 after these nodules are formed and occupied1 takes no more nitrogen from the soil1 but annually stores about its roots more from the air1 thus adding to the nitrogen supply in the soil instead of taking from it as do all other farm crops except the legumes4 ,each legume--clover1 alfalfa1 cowpeas1 etc4--has a distinct species of bacteria1 or at least bacteria with a distinct development1 excepting1 as has been found1 that ,sweet clover 7,melilotus alba7 and ,bur clover 7,medicago denticulata7 develop the same species as does alfalfa4 ,,buying ,,infected ,,soil ,several methods of preparing land for alfalfa by introducing its peculiar bacteria have been suggested1 and practiced to some extent4 ,many farmers and experimenters have used with success infected soil upon their lands2 soil from established alfalfa fields1 or that from along the roads or creeks where the ,sweet clover or ,bur clover has been growing4 ,this soil is spread upon the field or sown with alfalfa just before the seeding4 ,if the drill is to be used the inoculated soil is spread on and harrowed in4 ,if the seed is to be broadcasted1 the infected soil may be harrowed in with the seed4 ,it is better1 however1 to harrow this infected soil in thoroughly before seeding4 ,experiment stations recommend an application of two hundred pounds of such soil to every acre1 but good results have been secured from half that quantity4 ,this will depend very much upon the nature of the soil1 and the subsoil especially4 ,many fields seem to have these bacteria waiting for the coming of alfalfa4 ,land that has been well manured and contains abundant humus1 and land that is light and friable will usually respond to the bacterial life attached to the alfalfa seed4 ,most farmers who have established fields will sell soil to their neighbors1 which should be from the top six or eight inches1 and include roots1 stubble and earth4 ,both ,sweet clover and ,bur clover are found in almost every neighborhood in the northern states1 while the latter is very general in the ,south4 ,some alfalfa raisers make a business of selling and shipping inoculated soil4 ,probably any experiment station will ship small quantities to farmers within its state1 at about the cost of digging1 sacking and delivering at the railroad station4 ,therefore1 if a farmer desires to use it1 little labor or expense is attached to doing so4 ,there is reason1 however1 to doubt the need of this method in any of the western or central western states where the suggestions mentioned in the first part of the chapter are closely followed4 ,no doubt there are advantages in using it in most states east of the ,mississippi river1 in order to hasten the development of the bacteria and to make a good stand more certain4 ,preparation one or two years in advance as already described1 by a light sowing of alfalfa seed for introducing its peculiar bacteria1 is less expensive1 and requires less labor and carries no risk of introducing the seeds of other clovers or weeds4 ,most farms have enough weed seeds already4 ,,dangers ,,of ,,inoculation ,,by ,,soil ,,transfer ,touching upon the dangers possibly resulting from inoculation by soil transfer a bulletin from the ,united ,states ,department of ,agriculture has this to suggest3 8,satisfactory inoculations have been obtained by transferring soil from old fields on which the legume has been grown1 but experience has shown that there are dangers incident to such methods of soil transfer which it is wise to avoid4 8,the source of supply of such soil should be definitely known1 and in no case should soil be used from fields which have previously borne any crop affected with a fungous disease1 a bacterial disease1 or with nematodes4 ,where a rotation of crops is practiced1 it is often difficult to make sure of this factor1 so that the method of soil transfer is1 under average circumstances1 open to suspicion1 if not to positive objection4 ,numerous animal and plant parasites live in the soil for years1 and are already established in so many localities that it is manifestly unwise to ship soil indiscriminately from one portion of the country to another4 8,the bacterial diseases of the tomato1 potato1 and egg plant1 and the club-root1 brown rot1 and wilt disease of the cabbage1 all more or less widely distributed1 are readily transmitted in the soil2 while in the ,south and ,west there are the wilt diseases of cotton1 melons1 sweet potatoes1 cowpeas1 and flax1 and various nematoid and root-rot diseases which might easily become a serious menace over areas much larger than they now occupy if deliberately spread by the careless use of soil for inoculation purposes4 ,there are several insects and fungous diseases of clover to be avoided1 and various diseases of beans and peas4 ,there is also a disease of alfalfa1 the #8leaf spot1' which is causing damage in some regions4 ,these are only a few of many diseases liable to be transmitted in soils4 ,the farmer should therefore be on his guard4 ,the danger from such sources is by no means imaginary4 ,the ,department of ,agriculture has had specific cases of such accidental distribution reported1 and if the business of selling soil for inoculation is made to flourish by farmers purchasing without question #8alfalfa soil1' #8cowpea soil1' etc41 there is every reason to believe that experience will demonstrate the folly of such haphazard methods4 8,of scarcely less importance is the danger of disseminating noxious weeds and insect pests through this plan of inoculation by means of soils4 ,even though weeds may not have been serious in the field1 the great number of dormant seeds1 requiring but a slight change in surroundings to produce germination1 is always a menace4 ,the enormous damage to crops caused by introduced insects and weeds should convey a warning and lead to caution4 ,it is not the part of good judgment to view the risk as a slight one40 ,,other ,,methods ,,of ,,inoculation ,there are two or three better ways of inoculating land than by using a neighbor's soil4 ,some alfalfa raisers recommend the sowing of alfalfa meal with the seed4 ,another plan which appears reasonable and practicable is for the farmer who wishes to introduce alfalfa to buy alfalfa hay the year before and feed it to his live stock2 then haul the manure to the fields and plow it under for the crop to precede alfalfa4 ,it is claimed by those who have done this that a satisfactory stand is well-nigh certain1 other conditions being met4 ,it can be said1 however1 that some high authorities on this crop1 men who have experimented on many different kinds of soil and who have succeeded under varying conditions1 declare that neither soil nor seed inoculation is necessary4 ,it is altogether probable that if a field has been well farmed for a few years previous to the alfalfa-sowing1 with unusually good cultivation the preceding year1 a heavy application of stable manure plowed under at least five months before1 then given the proper preparation and seeding1 using seed raised in about the same latitude and under similar conditions in which the new crop must grow1 and with seed testing ninety per cent germinable1 there should be little anxiety about the need of inoculation4 ,of course old1 worn-out land may require more fertilizers1 restoring to the soil not only necessary nitrogen that has been exhausted by other crops1 but also the potash and phosphorus4 ,in eastern states it has been found advantageous also to apply a very light top-dressing of stable manure just before sowing the seed4 ,if lime is deficient1 that must be applied4 ,an examination of any particular soil will usually be made without charge by the state chemists1 and the farmer may thus approximately ascertain just what the soil will need for alfalfa1 corn1 or any other crop he may desire to raise4 ,,keep ,,on ,,trying ,it is important to say to the eastern farmers1 especially1 that there is little difference between successful alfalfa-growing and the successful growing of other crops4 ,poor farming never brings big crops1 nor will poor land produce as big yields as the more fertile4 ,failure to restore to the soil the necessary elements of which it has been robbed means the same in ,new ,york1 ,kansas1 ,virginia1 or anywhere else4 ,every farm plant1 to prosper1 must find in the soil1 readily available1 the elements needed for its development4 ,if a farmer finds the soil lacking in elements needed for certain crops1 he should either apply the deficiency or not attempt their raising4 ,this is true of corn or wheat1 cotton1 or tobacco1 no less than alfalfa4 ,alfalfa needs especially nitrogen1 potash and phosphorus4 ,the average virgin soil in the ,united ,states contains enough of these to last several hundred years4 ,if there had been at all times an intelligent rotation of crops1 these chemical elements would be found in just as large proportions in the soil that has been farmed a hundred years as in the soil never cultivated4 ,hence1 if after trying alfalfa a man meets with failure1 he should not stop1 and say1 8,alfalfa won't grow #8here'10 but try it again immediately4 ,if he discovers a seeming failure in ,march or ,april1 he should disk and harrow and as early as possible sow about ten pounds of seed to the acre2 in many instances he will have to clip his alfalfa in about six or eight weeks and can mow a crop of hay in ,september1 or possibly two hay crops in the season4 ,there have been various cases reported where three hay crops were secured the first season after such cultivation1 when the fields had been pronounced a failure in ,march4 ,alfalfa may be sown on such ground as late as the first of ,june if the weeds have been thoroughly subdued4 ,or1 if it has been sown in the spring and the weeds seem to be overtopping it in ,july1 mow close to the ground1 rake into windrows and burn4 ,then disk and harrow thoroughly and sow again4 ,in all probability there will be something of a crop to mow early in ,september1 with a considerable autumn growth to follow4 ,if it is not desired to sow alfalfa in midsummer1 disk this ground and sow to rye or oats for pasture2 then late in ,august disk and put in readiness for ,september sowing4 ,the failure may have been because the soil had not enough bacteria1 or favorable environment for the bacteria4 ,some of the seed sowed at first undoubtedly germinated and some bacteria were developed2 enough certainly to prepare the soil for the second sowing4 ,it is unwise after such a failure to go to another field or to wait for another year4 ,it is wiser to meet the conditions at once1 and vigorously persevere4 ,in reference to the application of lime1 mentioned on a preceding page1 it should be noted that the later experiments seem to indicate that it is better to apply smaller quantities at shorter intervals than larger quantities at longer intervals2 also that air-slacked lime is less caustic than the quicklime1 and not so liable1 when recently applied1 to harm the young plants which may come in contact with it1 hence more of the former may be used and with greater safety4 ,ordinarily quicklime is considered the most beneficial4 ,illustration3 ,bur ,clover ,pod ,magnified six diameters ,illustration3 ,yellow ,trefoil ,seed ,pod ,magnified twelve diameters ,illustration3 ,alfalfa ,seed ,pod ,magnified six diameters ,illustration3 ,spotted ,clover ,pod ,magnified six diameters ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,cultivation ,,clipping ,,is ,,an ,,invigorant ,strange as this title may seem it suggests a very important means of securing a satisfactory stand4 ,in fact in some parts of the ,south1 where the land has become very foul1 it is occasionally recommended to sow the alfalfa in rows1 eighteen inches apart1 for regular cultivation the first season4 ,after the second year the crowns will have sent up so many stems that the surface of the ground will be well occupied4 ,spurrier1 in his work referred to in ,chapter ,i1 recommended drilling in rows and cultivating the first year4 ,but it is better to get rid of the weeds before trying alfalfa4 ,the cultivation here recommended is clipping1 manuring1 disking and harrowing4 ,frequently when alfalfa is sowed in the spring it comes up weak and spindling4 ,in such case clip it just before ready to bloom1 having the mower sickle set rather high4 ,if the growth is not very heavy1 leave this cutting on the ground2 if quite heavy1 remove it4 ,the field may need to be clipped again during the summer1 but the farmer can feel reasonably assured that he will have a good stand the following spring4 ,if the leaves turn yellow1 mowing is the remedy4 ,if there is any sign of the 8spotted leaf0 disease1 the mower should be used forthwith4 ,of course if alfalfa comes up strong1 vigorous1 and free from weeds1 it should stand until blossoming is well begun and then be mown for hay4 ,it should not be supposed that the purpose in clipping and allowing the clippings to remain on the ground is primarily to make a mulch4 ,it is to retard the weeds1 and as no other way equally convenient and economical has presented itself1 the young growths are mown and left on the ground4 ,in many parts of the country ,crab grass 7,panicum sanguinale7 is the plant or weed that most persistently interferes with the prosperity of alfalfa during its first year1 and frequent mowing is the remedy most recommended and resorted to1 but there are growers who maintain that such treatment is not best4 ,an extensive and very successful grower in southern ,kansas tells the author repeated experience has demonstrated to his satisfaction that the advice to mow alfalfa frequently during the first summer may under some circumstances be quite wrong4 ,if the season happens to be wet1 and there is a rank growth of ,crab grass1 frequent mowing causes the ,crab grass to set in a close sod and smother out the alfalfa4 ,he says3 8,my practice has been1 under these conditions1 to let the ,crab grass grow with the alfalfa until matured1 before mowing4 ,the young alfalfa will usually keep its head out sufficiently to breathe1 and will survive until the ,crab grass is matured and all is cut4 ,if allowed to mature1 the ,crab grass will not start a second time1 and the alfalfa immediately springs up and occupies the ground4 ,where the ,crab grass is very rank it may sometimes be blown down in spots and smother out some alfalfa1 but even under these conditions one will have a much better stand than is possible by repeated mowings4 ,this is not mere theory1 but has been proven correct by frequent experience and close observation of the other method during the same seasons40 ,something similar may be said of ,witch-grass 7,panicum capillare71 which1 however1 is less obnoxious than the ,crab grass1 because of not having the habit of rooting at the joints4 ,in many parts of the country ,crab grass 7,panicum sanguinale7 is the plant or weed that most persistently as to make burning in the spring seem the most feasible means of getting rid of them1 and fire is resorted to4 ,prof4 ,a4 ,m4 ,ten ,eyck says he has seen this done a number of times without injury to the alfalfa crowns4 ,he1 however1 recommends disking after burning1 to loosen the exposed soil and leave the surface generally in a better condition4 ,sowing additional seed on the ground before such disking may do much to improve and thicken the stand4 ,the editor of the ,nebraska ,farmer has been collecting information on alfalfa culture from every section of the ,united ,states for the past ten years1 and as a result of this work unhesitatingly advances the opinion that 8nine-tenths of the failures with alfalfa have been due to failure or neglect to cut it as should have been done when young4 ,this is the law of alfalfa culture2 it must be cut down4 ,and the man who has not the courage1 morally and physically1 to use a mowing machine persistently had best pass by alfalfa culture4 ,it takes moral courage to cut baby alfalfa2 but it must be cut down to save it40 ,,manuring ,a light top-dressing of manure after sowing1 or1 in case of fall sowing1 any time during the winter1 helps to conserve moisture as well as to give the growing plants some nitrogenous food4 ,applying a top-dressing of stable manure at least every second or third winter is certain to prove profitable4 ,if it contains coarse straw or other litter1 this should be raked and hauled off later1 but before the alfalfa grows too high1 especially if the hay is intended for the city market4 ,many successful growers in ,kansas1 who claim to cut from five to seven tons of alfalfa hay per acre in a season apply a top-dressing of manure every winter4 ,the highest yields reported from eastern states are where this practice is followed4 ,some experiment station men believe that where this is not done the crop will after eight or ten years tend to impoverish the land instead of further improving it4 ,,disking ,the foremost method of cultivation is with the disk harrow1 one of the most excellent farm implements ever invented4 ,alfalfa sown in the fall is almost invariably helped by disking the following spring1 with the disks set quite straight1 so as not to cut the crowns but to split them4 ,it is usually well to follow this disking with a tooth harrow1 with its teeth set straight4 ,occasionally in a dry summer the disk may be used to great advantage after the second1 and possibly the third1 cutting also4 ,many disk their alfalfa field every spring1 and some after each cutting1 others do so only once in every two or three years1 owing to weather conditions and the conditions of the alfalfa4 ,in some instances the common harrow is used instead of a disk4 ,the disking has several beneficial effects4 ,it splits and spreads the crowns1 causing more and consequently finer stems to spring up1 affording hay of the most delightful quality1 easily cured2 it loosens the soil about the crowns1 conserves moisture and destroys the weeds4 ,there need be no fear of killing the plants if the disks and the harrow-teeth are set straight and weighted or otherwise adjusted to give direct and steady forward movement4 ,as an implement for the cultivation and invigoration of an alfalfa field the disk harrow has no equal1 and its frequent use is by those who know it best deemed quite indispensable4 ,,reseeding ,if it is a question of reseeding the whole field1 the problem is simple4 ,in that case disk and harrow the ground and sow half as much seed as was sowed at first4 ,but to restore bare spots is more difficult2 the young plants from the reseeding in these spots will be shaded by the larger growth about them1 and such reseeding seldom gives the desired results4 ,there is no doubt that very many fields are given up as failures and inferior crops planted in them1 when a thorough disking would have renewed the growth1 saved a crop1 and1 what is more important1 a stand of alfalfa4 ,many reports have come to the writer of fields that had little sign of life the first of ,march1 yet when thoroughly disked1 cross-disked and harrowed1 surprised the neighborhood by showing in two weeks a strong growth4 ,some wishing to be on the safe side1 have sown a little seed after this heavy disking and harrowing1 but many of them have reported an entire loss of the seed1 as the plants from the previous sowing came up so thick as to choke out those from the later seeding4 ,in some states a common plan of thickening a stand is to let the third crop ripen seed1 and then about the last of ,september disk and harrow the seed into the ground where it grew4 ,this frequently saves the stand and adds many years to its life4 ,but where a field begins to fail after a third year it is usually better to plow it up and raise one or two crops of corn1 a crop of oats or of millet1 and then reseed4 ,,alfalfa ,,under ,,irrigation ,the greatest yields of alfalfa are produced by irrigation4 ,reported yields of six or more cuttings1 aggregating eight to twelve tons per acre each year1 are almost invariably1 yet not always1 from districts where irrigation is practiced4 ,it is claimed by experiment station experts from the irrigation states that the tendency is to use too much water2 too much at a time and too often4 ,the general recommendation is to irrigate thoroughly before the ground is plowed or disked1 and not again till the alfalfa is about four inches high4 ,then again a week before each cutting4 ,it has been found that old alfalfa fields do not need as much water as new fields1 the alfalfa roots seeming to find moisture and bring it to the surface4 ,it is insisted that the surface must be perfectly smooth to keep water from settling into low places and smothering the plants4 ,some farmers do not irrigate for the second crop if as much as two inches of rain falls after the first mowing4 ,others claim that old fields do not need flooding for the second crop even if there has been no rainfall after the first cutting4 ,wilcox in his 8,irrigation ,farming0#c says3 8,the critical time with alfalfa is the first six weeks of its growth4 ,flooding during this period is quite certain to give the plants a backset from which they seldom fully recover before the second1 and sometimes not before the third year1 and it is not often in the arid states that rain falls with sufficient frequency to dispense with the necessity for irrigating the plants while small4 ,by soaking the earth from thirty-six to forty-eight hours before seeding1 however1 the plants will make vigorous growth until they are ten to twelve inches high1 after which they may be irrigated with safety4 #c 8,irrigation ,farming10 by ,lute ,wilcox3 #cad pp4 ,orange ,judd ,company1 ,new ,york4 8,when alfalfa has become established1 a single copious irrigation after each cutting will ordinarily be found sufficient4 ,irrigation before cutting is undesirable1 because it leaves the earth so soft as to interfere with the movement of machinery and loads4 ,it also makes the stalks more sappy1 and1 while they will retain the leaves better1 there is more difficulty to be experienced in the curing at harvest time2 and taken all in all1 we much prefer to irrigate after each cutting4 ,in ,colorado we cut alfalfa three times and often four times in a season1 hence the stand gets as many irrigations4 ,some people irrigate very early in springtime1 before the crowns have awakened from their hibernal rest1 but this practice is not right4 ,the chill of the water in very early spring is not conducive to quick growth and may often retard the plants in getting an early start4 ,we do not irrigate prior to the first cutting unless the season is particularly dry and the plants seem to actually demand water4 ,we irrigate late in the fall and apply a top-dressing of light barnyard manure1 which is found to be of great service in several ways40 ,,influence ,,of ,,irrigation ,,upon ,,composition ,i find no report of experiments published by any station in which the influence of irrigation upon alfalfa hay is made a special study1 but ,bulletin ,no4 #hj of the ,utah station contains a great deal of information along this line relative to grain crops1 potatoes1 and mixed grasses4 ,in summing up the results of the experiments1 the following conclusions are 8,heavy irrigations increase the percentage of weight of the heads of plants2 light irrigations increase the relative weight of leaves4 8,irrigation modifies definitely the composition of plants and plant parts2 the seeds are affected more than any other plant part4 8,the percentage of protein in corn kernels was increased from #ab4je to #ae4jh1 as the amount of irrigation decreased2 in oat kernels from #ad4jg to #bj4gi2 in wheat kernels from #ae4bf to #bf4gb4 ,in all these seeds the fat and nitrogen-free extracts were increased by liberal waterings4 8,increased irrigations increased the starch content and decreased the protein content of potatoes4 8,the water in plants is somewhat dependent on the water in the soil4 8,the proportion of ear corn to stover increased regularly with the increased application of water4 8,the percentage of grain in the wheat crop increased with increased irrigations4 8,the yield of wheat increased up to thirty inches of water4 8,crops in an arid district require a greater number of pounds of water for one pound of dry matter than in humid climates40 ,the experiments cited do not include alfalfa1 yet the results with other crops would indicate that the percentage of protein in alfalfa hay may be less where the crop is grown by irrigation than where it is grown by dry-land farming4 ,the composition of the hay1 however1 will depend upon the quantity of water supplied to the crop and not upon the method2 that is1 alfalfa which receives as much natural rainfall as other alfalfa would receive by irrigation1 would be similarly affected in composition1 and from the experiments with grains reported in the bulletin noted1 it would appear that with the application of large quantities of water the percentage of protein is decreased2 yet1 the yield is increased1 and although the feeding value of the crop may be a little less1 the quantity may be greater1 due to large applications of water4 ,,wide ,,variations ,,in ,,content ,professor ,ten ,eyck compiled from their station bulletins the following figures on the composition of alfalfa hay in four different states3 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,bulletin ,carbo- ,number of ,number ,protein hydrates ,fat ,analyses ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,per ,cent,per ,cent,per ,cent ,new ,jersey #adh #ae4hd #ch4ig #c4hb #b ,colorado #ci #ag4cf #cf4ga #a4fe #i ,utah #fa #i4bb #dc4be 4#ig #bi ,kansas #aad #aa4hi #da4jc 4#ff #c ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,on this showing he remarks3 8,although it was not definitely stated1 ,i take it that the ,colorado and ,utah hay were grown by irrigation1 while the ,new ,jersey and ,kansas hay received no irrigation4 ,it will be observed that while the percentages of protein and fat in the ,utah samples are low1 the percentage of carbohydrates is high2 yet the ,colorado samples grown under irrigation show a larger percentage of protein and fat than the ,kansas samples grown without irrigation4 ,the crude protein often varies in quantity according to the stage of maturity of the alfalfa when it is cut for hay1 as shown by experiments at the ,kansas station1 and described in ,bulletin ,no4 #aad4 8,the general conclusion may be that the protein content of alfalfa hay will decrease to some extent1 according as the supply of water furnished the crop is increased2 that is1 by supplying the right quantity of water1 a better quality of hay may be grown by irrigation than is often grown in humid climates in soil which receives only the natural rainfall4 ,from what ,i know of the ,colorado and ,utah stations1 ,i would judge that the quantity of water supplied at the ,utah station was much larger than that supplied at the ,colorado station4 ,at the ,colorado station the supply of irrigation water is often limited1 and hence1 the larger percentage of protein and fat which appears in the samples of hay grown and analyzed at that station40 ,the annual report of the secretary of agriculture 7#aijd7 says that at the ,utah station a series of co-operative experiments is in progress to determine the water necessary1 and the most favorable method of application1 to insure a maximum yield of alfalfa1 and also experiments to determine the minimum application of water required to secure a crop4 8,it has been found that abundant irrigation throughout the season1 #fa inches of water being applied1 gave a yield of #f4b tons per acre1 while four irrigations in the early part of the season with only #be inches gave five tons per acre1 showing that beyond a certain supply the excess is wasted40 ,a4 ,s4 ,hitchcock1 in ,united ,states ,farmers' ,bulletin ,no4 #bae1 speaking of the ,utah experiment just mentioned1 says that where the supply of water is limited a much less quantity than is ordinarily used will produce paying crops4 ,the minimum quantity to produce a crop of alfalfa1 and the time at which the water should be applied1 depends upon the soil and climatic conditions4 ,below are results of experiments in #aijc1 by the ,utah station3 ,,water ,,required ,,by ,,alfalfa2 ,,quantity ,,and ,,date ,,of ,,application ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ,date of each irrigation and quantity of water applied ,total ---------------------------------------- ------------------ ,water ,first ,second ,third ,fourth applied ---------------------------------------- --------------------- ,acre ,acre ,acre ,acre ,acre in4 in4 in4 in4 in4 ,june #af #c4cfj;,july #bi #c4cei 4444 4444 4444 4444 #f4gai ,june #bi #e4igj;,july #bi #c4cei;,aug4 #ai #c4cei 4444 4444 #ab4fhh ,june #af #e4jgj;,july #h #e4jcf;,aug4 #f #e4jjc 4444 4444 #ae4aji ,june #bi #g4jbj;,july #h #e4jcf;,aug4 #ai #e4jjb 4444 4444 #ag4jeh ,june #ae #e4jcj;,july #c #e4ajj;,aug4 #a #e4jcf;,aug4 #bd #e4jjbbj4afh ,june #bj #f4ggd;,july #h #f4fid;,aug4 #ai #f4fhb 4444 4444 #bj4aej ,july #hab4dij;,aug4 #i #ab4ejf 4444 4444 4444 4444 #be4jjb ,june #bj #h4cjc;,july #f #h4ceb;,aug4 #ai #h4cfb 4444 4444 #be4jag ,june #ae #f4cbj;,july #f #f4bdh;,aug4 #a #f4bdh;,aug4 #bi #f4bejbe4jff ,june #af #f4bej;,june #bc #d4bhj;,june #cj #e4gje;,july #g #de4bcjfa4dfe ,june #bc #f4bej;,july #g #f4bbj;,aug4 #ae #f4bej;,aug4 #ca #f4bejbd4igj ,june #af #f4bej;,july #g #f4bbj;,aug4 #f #f4gej;,aug4 #ca #f4bejbe4dgj ,june #bc #f4faj;,july #g #c4gbj;,aug4 #ae #c4bej;,aug4 #ca #c4gejag4ccj ,june #af #c4ihj;,july #g #c4gbj;,aug4 #f #c4gej;,aug4 #ca #c4gejae4bjj ---------------------------------------- --------------------- #d ,this plat was given #e inches of water on each of the following dates3 ,july #ad1 ,july #bb1 ,july #bh1 ,august #d1 ,august #ag1 ,august #be1 ,august #ca1 ,september #h4 ,,date ,,of ,,harvest ,,and ,,yield ,,of ,,hay ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ,date of harvest and yield of hay at each cutting ,total ,calculated ---------------------------------------- -------- yield yield ,first ,second ,third of plat per acre ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,pounds ,pounds 4444 ,pounds,pounds ,tons ,june #bf #bfd ,aug4 #ab #ej 4444 4444 #cad #c4ade ,june #bf #agg ,aug4 #ab #aja 4444 4444 #bgh #b4ghj ,june #bf #bfa ,aug4 #ab #fh 4444 4444 #cbi #c4bje ,june #bf #bjd ,aug4 #ab #ajh 4444 4444 #cab #c4abe ,june #bf #aia ,aug4 #ab #he 4444 4444 #bgf #b4gfe ,june #bf #age ,aug4 #ab #gd 4444 4444 #bdi #b4dij ,june #bf #ic ,aug4 #ab #fb 4444 4444 #aee #a4eej ,june #bf #ii ,aug4 #ab #dd 4444 4444 #adc #a4dcj ,june #bf #bbd ,aug4 #ab #adj 4444 4444 #cfd #c4fdj ,june #ah #agf;,aug4 #aj #agg,oct4 #af #abj #dgd #f4bdc ,june #ah #agj;,aug4 #aj #acf,oct4 #af #gc #chj #e4jag ,june #ah #adg ,aug4 #aj #ada ,oct4 #af #fa #cdi #d4eih ,june #ah #aje ,aug4 #aj #aab,oct4 #af #df #bfc #c4dfh ,june #ah #aab;,aug4 #aj #ajf ,oct4 #af #ce #bec #c4cdj ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- 8,it will be observed that the maximum crop was produced by applying plenty of water throughout the growing season4 ,however1 it is also to be noted that a much less quantity of water1 when applied at intervals of three or four weeks1 produced a fair crop4 ,fifteen and #ag inches of water applied in this way produced more than half as much as #fa inches applied at frequent intervals4 ,furthermore1 three irrigations of #ae to #ag inches produced about the same results as the same amount applied at four irrigations4 ,in applying irrigation water to fields it is necessary to saturate the soil to a reasonable depth4 ,all the water that drains off beyond the amount required for use is lost to the crop4 ,it is not necessary to apply water again until the crop has removed a large part of the available supply40 ,illustration3 ,gathering ,alfalfa ,hay in ,windrows with a ,side-delivery ,horserake ,illustration3 ,cutting a ,fine ,field of ,alfalfa ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,harvesting ,,calls ,,for ,,intelligence ,,and ,,painstaking ,considerable space in this volume is devoted to the discussion of soil and seeding1 but their importance cannot well be over-estimated4 ,really the whole subject of alfalfa might well be treated under the two heads1 8,seeding0 and 8,harvesting10 so very inclusive are these two phases of the subject4 ,without careful seeding one cannot have a crop to harvest1 and without careful harvesting he might almost as well not have a crop4 ,both call for intelligence and painstaking farming1 and much patience and hard work4 ,but the rewards of these virtues and labors are heavy yields from the most valuable forage plant4 ,if it is worth nine times as much as timothy1 it can well demand a little more time and labor than the average crop4 ,,great ,,value ,,of ,,leaves ,the first point to accentuate as we approach the subject of harvesting is the preeminent value of the leaves4 ,these contain from seventy-five to eighty per cent of the protein of the whole plant1 that valuable compound that goes to produce milk and meat4 ,it has been estimated that a ton of properly cured alfalfa leaves is equal in protein to #bhjj pounds of wheat bran2 and when it is also estimated by careful observers that the loss of leaves in harvesting1 even under favoring circumstances1 ranges from fifteen to thirty or more per cent it is readily seen that the harvesting is an important part in alfalfa haymaking4 ,,when ,,to ,,cut ,for the best hay the cutting should begin when the alfalfa is about one-tenth in bloom4 ,of course1 if the acreage is small1 calling for but one or two days' cutting1 it might stand without particular harm until a fifth or fourth was in bloom4 ,cutting should be completed1 if possible1 by the time one-half is in bloom1 as after that it is cut at a loss of leaves4 ,as they have more experience the tendency among farmers is to cut alfalfa earlier than had before been believed at all desirable1 and some experienced growers and feeders now insist upon cutting just before the blossoming stage is reached4 ,experiments seem to show that horses like the hay that has been cut when at least half in bloom1 or later1 better than do other stock4 ,for sake of the after effects on the plant1 it is highly important that the first cutting be made in the early bloom1 as1 if it is delayed1 the second crop starts more slowly and gives a lighter yield4 ,frequently a short delay in cutting the first crop means that the field will produce but two crops instead of three or four4 ,so important is this that ,prof4 ,h4 ,m4 ,cottrell declares that he has found it profitable to cut the first crop of a season in earliest bloom even if it were to be injured by being rained upon1 or in fact entirely lost4 ,,most ,,protein ,,in ,,early ,,cuttings ,the ,utah experiment station found by a feeding test that the early cut alfalfa was worth far more than any later cutting4 ,it reported3 ---------------------------------------- ----------- ,hay worth1 ,beef1 lbs4 ,stage of ,growth per ton produced ---------------------------------------- ----------- ,when in bloom #e4ce #gjf ,when in full bloom #d4ij #efb ,when of blooms have fallen #d4ce #dij ---------------------------------------- ----------- ,the ,kansas station found the protein content to be3 ,stage of ,growth ,protein content ,when in bloom #ah4e per cent4 ,when in bloom #ag4b ,when in full bloom #ad4d ,,constant ,,watchfulness ,,demanded ,in humid regions1 the alfalfa farmer at the time of the first cutting often finds himself in a trying position4 ,the value of the leaves demands early cutting1 and this may be just when it is likely to rain with great frequency4 ,he knows that a wetting will injure his hay1 and that this results in more or less loss of some of its most valuable parts from the hour of cutting until it is thoroughly cured4 ,the ,colorado station reports that alfalfa hay left out for fifteen days after cutting and rained on twice1 lost #bf4a per cent of its feeding value4 ,hay left out for seven days and having only one light rain1 lost #aj per cent4 ,another lot left out three days1 without rain1 lost #e per cent4 ,wetting delays the curing1 and by the washing the hay loses much sugar1 dextrin and other soluble matters1 and also develops fungi4 ,however1 the only thing to do is to cut1 exercising good judgment of course as to the amount each day4 ,,losses ,,in ,,curing ,headden found1 at the ,colorado station1 that in an average alfalfa plant the stems amounted to forty to fifty per cent of the weight1 while with very leafy1 small-stemmed plants the leaves sometimes form more than sixty per cent of the entire weight4 ,the leaves were readily lost if the hay was not handled carefully4 ,he concluded that the minimum loss from the falling off of the leaves and stems in careful haymaking amounts to from fifteen to twenty per cent2 and in cases where conditions have been unfavorable1 as much as sixty or even sixty-six per cent of the entire dry crop is lost4 ,stated in another way1 with the best of conditions1 and with great care1 for every #a1gjj pounds of hay taken off the field1 at least #cjj pounds of leaves and stems are left scattered on the ground1 8and1 in very bad cases1 as much as #a1bjj pounds may be left for each #hjj pounds taken40 ,a study of these facts should induce the careful haymaker to use all possible skill in curing alfalfa1 and they show that it will be profitable to expend more than the usual amount of labor in saving the leaves1 considering that they are worth1 pound for pound1 nearly four times as much as the stems4 ,,harvesting ,,in ,,humid ,,regions ,ordinarily1 it is not well to cut alfalfa immediately after a heavy rain1 because the wet ground will operate against proper curing4 ,begin cutting in the morning1 when the dew is well off4 ,if the weather is fair1 the tedder ought to follow about two hours behind the mower4 ,it is a mistake to think that the sun is the great curing agent4 ,too long exposure to the sun makes the curing all the more unsatisfactory1 besides drying the leaves in such a way that they crumble and drop off4 ,as long as alfalfa remains 8alive0 water will be exhaled from the surface of the leaves and be pumped constantly from the stalks in a natural way much as though they were still standing4 ,on the other hand1 if newly cut alfalfa is spread too long in hot sunshine1 the leaves are scorched to such an extent that transpiration of moisture from pores becomes impossible4 ,hence1 that in the stalks can only escape by simple evaporation1 which is very slow4 ,by this means much undesirable1 in fact harmful1 moisture in the hay is brought to the barn or stack1 although the leaves of the hay are dry and crisp4 ,as ,j4 ,e4 ,wing has well said in his bulletin 7,bul4 ,no4 #abi prepared for the ,pennsylvania department of agriculture71 8there is a principle to be observed in making alfalfa hay that applies to making hay from all clovers4 ,if it can be so managed that the leaves are not at once burned and dried to powder1 the moisture from the stems is the more easily removed4 ,leaves are natural evaporators of sap2 stems are not4 ,therefore1 while the leaf has yet pliancy and some semblance of its natural condition1 it is most efficiently carrying away the sap of the stem1 but when it is dried up it no longer aids in drying the plant at all4 ,therefore1 the best hay in all respects is made partly in the shade1 in loosely turned windrows1 or in narrow cocks40 ,two or three hours behind the tedder start the rake and keep it going regardless of the noon hour1 and unless the hay is very heavy it may be put into small cocks1 this to be completed before the dew forms4 ,in humid regions1 hay is cured best and with greatest safety by the use of hay-caps1 and these should be put on the cocks also before the dew forms1 and removed each morning4 ,the hay may be left in these cocks for four or five days1 as found necessary1 and then stacked or stored in the barn4 ,this may not follow1 however1 unless the weather is favorable4 ,many prefer to leave the hay in the windrows until the second morning1 turning them by hand or otherwise before noon and putting into cocks in the afternoon1 letting these stand for two or three days4 ,if it is left in the cocks over three days1 they should be moved or the plants under them will be smothered4 ,all agree that alfalfa should not lie in the swath over two or three hours4 ,most who have ever used a tedder like it if the alfalfa is less than half in bloom4 ,if half or more in bloom1 the tedder may cause the breaking off and loss of many leaves4 ,most experiment stations recommend that the hay be put into small cocks on the day of the cutting1 if the weather is at all fair1 not risking it in the windrows over night4 ,it is a fact that cocked green alfalfa1 even without caps1 will shed much rain1 while when fairly well-cured it will not do so4 ,a ,colorado farmer reported that he started the mower one morning as soon as the dew was off1 followed it with the tedder one hour later1 and with the rake one hour behind the tedder2 he kept a force of men only two hours behind the rake putting the alfalfa1 yet quite green1 into small cocks4 ,these stood through two days of heavy rain4 ,later the cocks were opened and found to be unharmed1 and after one day the hay was put into stacks in excellent condition4 ,this was a somewhat unusual circumstance1 surely1 and might not often occur in a climate less dry than that in some parts of ,colorado4 ,a grower in southern ,kansas1 however1 who harvests about one thousand tons of alfalfa per year1 and is working with it nearly every day from the second week in ,may until ,november #aj1 insists that alfalfa1 under the same conditions of rainfall1 is much easier to save in fair feeding condition than red clover4 ,he finds the side-delivery rake especially excellent for turning over the green or wet windrows to the sun and air with the least loss of leaves1 and cured thus1 after being wet1 the natural color is better preserved4 8,that alfalfa hay has a higher feeding value than almost any other1 even when saved under the most unfavorable circumstances1 should be impressed upon the inexperienced40 ,,the ,,use ,,of ,,hay-,,caps ,any man who goes into the business of raising alfalfa anywhere in the rain belt cannot well afford to ignore hay-caps as a part of his equipment4 ,comparatively the cost is slight and the trouble of using them small considered in the light of their great utility1 although the expense1 and the use and care of them may at first blush appear to be quite formidable4 ,american haymakers do not seem to appreciate the bad effect of dew upon the color and aroma of all kinds of hay4 ,prof4 ,f4 ,h4 ,storer in his 8,agriculture0 7,vol4 ,,iii1 p4 #eei7 says3 8,one advantage gained by the use of hay-caps to protect the cocks during the night1 is that they hold in the raked-up warmth1 and keep the hay from cooling off4 ,thus it happens that the hay not only improves a little as to dryness during the night1 but is all ready to dry rapidly when the cocks are again exposed to the air and sunshine1 on being uncovered in the morning4 ,all this as a normal and constant benefit1 to say nothing of the advantages derived from the caps in case light rains1 or even heavy rains1 should fall before the cocks are again opened4 ,the caps keep dew from settling upon the hay1 moreover1 and thus prevent the loss of aromatic matters that would result if the dew were to dry off from the hay40 8,with regard to the exclusion of dew1 it is not alone its power to carry off aroma that should be considered4 ,when dew #8falls' it must tend to carry with it any particles of solid matter that may happen to be in the air from which it is deposited1 and1 in this way the spores of fungi1 such as would cause the hay to mold1 are put upon it4 ,it can scarcely be questioned that many of the organisms deposited with the dew are likely to promote hurtful decomposition1 especially in case the hay should remain or become damp1 and the less of these organisms that infest the hay the better it will be40 ,when the farmer considers that a ton of well-cured alfalfa hay is worth about as much as a ton of wheat bran1 he ought to see that it is profitable to protect it from the rain and the dew4 ,he would scarcely hesitate to provide suitable covering if he had several tons of bran in the field exposed to the elements4 ,hay-caps will soon pay for themselves by the finer quality of the hay they assure1 aside from the larger quantity of the best grade that their protection guarantees4 ,storer further says1 8there can be no question as to the very great merit of hay-caps when properly used4 ,they are simply pieces of stout1 cotton cloth of suitable size1 say #dj to #de inches square as a minimum1 7#fj inches square would be far better--,author7 which are thrown over the cocks when rain is imminent1 or at nightfall4 ,these cloths may have wooden pegs or some sort of weight attached to each corner to hold them in place2 the pegs can be driven into the ground or pushed under the hay1 as seems most suitable to the size of the cock or conditions of the weather4 ,the porosity of the cotton cloth hinders dampness from collecting beneath it at the top of the cock which it covers40 ,curing alfalfa in dry regions where the problems and dangers of rainfall do not need any large consideration1 is attended with few of the difficulties which confront the grower in a region of much humidity4 ,in western ,kansas and ,nebraska1 and in ,texas and other states where summer rains are somewhat infrequent1 the mowers start at the beginning and do not stop until the field or fields of alfalfa are all in the swath4 ,the rakes follow close behind1 frequently the side-delivery rake1 and then the gathering implement1 usually designated as a 8go-devil10 keep only about a half-day behind1 dragging the cured hay to the stack or rick where the horse-fork lifts and carries it to the center of the stack1 to be distributed and placed by men with pitchforks4 ,the market and feeding value of hay so cured and gathered1 is deemed by some authorities as not the highest4 ,curing in the windrow alone is likely to be a mere drying 7perhaps too rapid drying7 of one side of the exposed portions4 ,alfalfa should cure successively in the swath1 windrow1 cock and stack or mow1 to develop its greatest value4 ,the man who has so many acres that he cannot cure it in this way might do better with fewer acres for hay1 and pasture hogs on the remainder1 or use the land for other crops4 ,still it is true that alfalfa even poorly cured has no inconsiderable feeding value4 ,many farmers in the ,west and ,middle ,west claim to secure very good hay by early following the mower with the tedder1 this with the rake1 and then the 8buncher10 letting the hay remain in bunches over night and dragging it to the stack the next day4 ,others take from the windrow to wagons by a hay-loader1 preferably one operated by a belt4 ,after all is said and done1 and regardless of thrift and yield1 it is unquestionable that the grower of alfalfa in humid regions meets with difficulties in the matter of satisfactory curing that in some years are almost or quite disheartening1 and of a character to which his brother in arid territory is virtually a total stranger4 ,curing in the two regions presents different problems1 with advantage all the time favoring the man in the country of little rainfall4 ,second and later cuttings are not so much endangered by rains as is the first1 and1 hence1 these are usually cured in better condition4 ,notwithstanding this1 virtually all tests point out that the first cutting has more feeding value and is better relished by all kinds of stock4 ,most farmers are agreed that it pays to cut every time the alfalfa blooms1 up to the last of ,september in the ,north1 and possibly a month later in the more southern latitudes4 ,a few have reported that they prefer to make but two cuttings a year1 claiming to realize a greater feeding value by so doing2 but it seems that the loss in leaves and protein1 together with the fact that live stock has less relish for the more mature cuttings1 makes frequent cutting by far the most profitable4 ,to sum up1 the points to be emphasized in cutting alfalfa for hay1 and its treatment immediately after1 are3 ,cut in early bloom4 ,handle as little as possible4 ,prevent its being wet after cutting4 ,cure if possible partly in the swath1 in the windrow1 in the cock and in the stack or mow4 ,cut as often as it blooms1 which will range from twice in ,new ,england to nine times a year in southern ,oklahoma1 southern ,california1 ,texas and ,louisiana4 ,in a region of frequent rains protect with hay-caps4 ,,harvesting ,,for ,,seed ,the first cutting should not be used for seed for three reasons3 ,first1 if that cutting is delayed until the seed has ripened1 the second and third cuttings will be very light1 and in the extreme northern alfalfa territory there may not be even a second4 ,a stronger reason is that at the time of the first cutting1 favorable weather is likely to be much less certain and rains will interfere with the stacking of the seed crop1 which1 to insure its best value1 must be put in the stack or mow without wetting4 ,another is that the seed pods at that season are not usually so well filled and the proportion of fertile seeds is less because the bees and other insects have not so early in the season had time and opportunity to aid in the pollenation4 ,cutting should be done when the greater proportion of the seeds are hard1 but not sufficiently ripe to shell4 ,at this stage a majority of the pods are turned a dark-brown color and the seeds are fully developed4 ,frequently the cutting can be raked into windrows after two hours if the weather is drying1 and in two or three hours more put into cocks and let stand for twenty-four to forty-eight hours1 as the weather may justify4 ,it should1 however1 be well cured and thoroughly dry when put in the stack1 or there is danger of heating1 and stack-heating seriously injures the vitality of the seed4 ,it is not uncommon1 if extremely ripe1 to leave the cutting in the swath only an hour or a half-hour1 then stack1 and let stand for autumn or later threshing4 ,if allowed to stand in the stack for about thirty days1 the entire mass goes through a sweating and curing process which makes the threshing easier1 while less of the seed is left in the straw than would be if it had not stack-cured4 ,in western ,kansas many seed raisers cut their seed crop with a self-binder1 put the sheaves in shocks the same day and thresh in about ten days1 or put it into a stack to await a convenient threshing time4 ,they claim to secure #bj per cent more of the seed in this way than if they cut with the ordinary mower4 ,others cut with a mower having a dropper attachment which leaves the alfalfa in small bunches at the will of the driver1 in the center of the swath1 and these are 8straddled0 by the team and the wheels of the mower in the subsequent rounds4 ,these bunches are left for two or three days and then stacked4 ,there is little1 if any1 danger from mold or spontaneous combustion in stacks of alfalfa cut for seed1 but there is danger of the seed heating in the stack if stacked when damp4 ,if bright1 clean seed is expected1 the stacks must be well topped with slough grass1 or covered with tarpaulins or boards1 or given other protection4 ,it is better still to put the alfalfa intended for seed into a barn4 ,one ,kansas farmer in the western part of the state reports that he used a self-binding harvester1 shocked the sheaves like those of grain1 let them stand ten days and then put in a mow1 with no bad results4 ,,yields ,,of ,,seed ,the yield of seed ranges all the way from two to thirteen bushels per acre1 the normal yield in the seed regions being four to eight bushels4 ,it is threshed with ordinary grain separators with seed attachments1 although the clover-huller is usually preferred4 ,no threshing machine cleans the seed satisfactorily or sufficiently1 and a careful recleaning is necessary4 ,fanning mills or seed-cleaners are now made that will remove most weed seeds1 seeds of dodder1 and all light-weight and probably infertile alfalfa seeds4 ,however1 no raiser should by rights thresh1 to say nothing of marketing1 the seeds of the dodder or any other weed with his alfalfa2 these should be cut out of the field with scythe1 sickle or knife a month before the alfalfa is cut4 ,the threshed alfalfa straw is worth only about half as much as the hay1 yet it makes excellent feed for horses1 colts and calves4 ,or1 if put into stacks of alfalfa of the third cutting1 in alternate layers1 it may be fed to any stock to good advantage1 as it is relished quite as well as ordinary third cuttings1 notwithstanding its lower feeding value4 ,,the ,,third ,,cutting ,,for ,,seed ,seed raisers in some instances1 especially in ,kansas1 use the third cutting for seed1 claiming that the pods are more uniformly filled and the seeds more generally fertile1 due to the assistance of the bees in pollenation4 ,they claim1 too1 that this cutting has fewer weeds and weed seeds than its predecessors2 also that they are thus sure of two good hay crops1 while often if they use the second crop for seed1 the third crop is hardly worth more than the cutting4 ,the only point left in favor of using the second cutting for seed1 where the farmer is confident of a third1 is that the protein value of the second is the lowest1 and hence its hay can better be spared than that from any other cutting4 ,the raising of seed in the more humid eastern states should not1 generally1 be attempted1 as it will not only interfere with obtaining full value in the hay crop1 but the less fertile soil will not produce as vigorous seed as will the newer and richer lands west of the ,missouri river4 ,at present the best seed for general use is produced between that river and the ,rocky mountains4 ,utah produces a hardy seed1 but much if not most of it is raised under irrigation1 and1 hence1 at least theoretically1 not deemed best adapted for regions dependent entirely upon soil moisture from rains4 ,illustration3 ,gathering an ,alfalfa ,crop in ,page ,county1 ,iowa ,photograph by courtesy of ,henry ,field ,illustration3 ,alfalfa ,harvesting ,scene in ,yellowstone ,county1 ,montana ,illustration3 ,mast and ,boom ,stacker1 with ,six-,tined ,jackson ,fork ,the mast is held in place by guy ropes from the top4 ,leading to the right may be seen the rope to which is attached a team of horses4 ,the base of the derrick is in the form of sled runners1 so that the whole may be drawn along the stack by attaching a team ,illustration3 ,a ,derrick ,stacker with six-tined ,jackson or ,california fork4 ,the derrick is substantial1 and guy ropes are not necessary4 ,stakes driven into the ground around the base hold the derrick in place ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,storing ,,care ,,in ,,curing ,after all possible care has been taken in seeding1 cultivating and harvesting alfalfa1 its feeding value may be greatly impaired or quite lost by ignorance or carelessness in storing2 that is1 by stacking or putting it into sheds or barns1 or by baling it for market when in an unsuitable condition4 ,the only path to safety in stacking or storing in shed or mow is having the hay in proper condition for completing its own curing4 ,the true medium for its curing is air1 not sun2 the sun has done possibly more than its share already4 ,but good hay is not completely and properly cured in swath1 windrow and cock4 ,if cured in the windrow1 the exposed parts are liable to be much injured by the sun4 ,therefore the principle stands1 8,handle alfalfa green40 ,it must be cut green1 teddered1 raked and cocked or bunched while comparatively green1 and must not then be allowed to dry and parch to brittleness4 ,true1 it must not be put into a stack so long as it is possible to wring water out of the stalks4 ,a constant study should be to find the best method of getting the hay into storage without loss of its natural color4 ,the method that will safely store it greenest will be the best to follow4 ,handled green the leaves are saved1 and these constitute from #ej to #ge per cent of the whole value4 ,,putting ,,into ,,winter ,,quarters ,when 7in regions of much humidity7 the hay is safely in cock1 covered with hay-caps1 and has had a few days of curing1 it is ready for permanent quarters4 ,remembering that the hay after its drying has begun should be handled as little as possible1 the cocks have been made small enough so that two men may lift them bodily onto a wagon1 if a wagon is used in the stacking4 ,from the wagon1 the hay is lifted by a hayfork to the stack4 ,or1 more careful still1 the farmer will use three slings to each wagon1 which are lifted by a hook to the stack or mow4 ,a sling is a heavy sheet the size of the wagon hayrack4 ,one is spread on the bottom of the rack1 another on top of the first one-third of the load1 and the other on top of the second third4 ,these slings are banded at the ends2 the ends are drawn together and a third of the load lifted to the stack or mow1 thus saving in some instances a third more leaves than any other method4 ,in arid and semi-arid territory1 cocking and loading on or off wagons are dispensed with by dragging the rapidly dried hay directly to stacks built in the fields1 where the lifting into place is done with great expedition by horse implements4 ,a wheel-rake or 8go-devil0 is used to take at once several cocks1 bunches or a part of a windrow to a nearby stack4 ,others use a rope to drag one or more large cocks to the stack2 or1 if the hay is to be taken from windrows1 it may be put upon wagons with a loader4 ,the loader is an excellent implement for handling timothy and clover1 but is apt to shake off a good many leaves of alfalfa if the hay is very dry4 ,the more common sling now on the market is made of ropes1 four ropes the length of the hayrack and with ropes across like a rope ladder1 and used to handle one-third or one-fourth of a load4 ,others are made like the carriers of a threshing machine with slats and ropes4 ,,storing ,,in ,,the ,,barn ,the barn is the best place for alfalfa if all conditions are right4 ,cases of spontaneous combustion in stack and mow make farmers fearful of using the barn1 especially for the first cutting1 which is always most difficult to cure4 ,there are certain conditions that must be observed if this hay is to complete its curing properly and safely in the mow4 ,the bottom of the mow should be elevated at least a foot from the ground1 floored with poles or joists1 and they should be about two-thirds covered with boards or other material in such a way as to provide numerous openings or air spaces of considerable size4 ,if the mow already has a tight floor1 a part of the flooring should be removed before the hay is put in4 ,then a box or barrel should be placed in the center of the space and lifted up as the filling proceeds4 ,if the mow is over thirty feet long1 a second barrel should be used2 that is1 an air shaft should be left in about each fifteen to twenty feet4 ,a layer of dry hay or straw sandwiched in about every four of five feet1 as the mow fills1 can be used to much advantage4 ,if the mow is large enough in length and width1 an excellent1 safe plan is to spread the first cutting over the entire bottom1 filling up to a height of four or five feet4 ,the second cutting may be placed over this1 on top of a layer of straw1 and the third cutting over this4 ,there is virtually no danger from spontaneous combustion or from mold if this is done1 and the hay will be as bright and green and almost as rich in protein in ,january as when harvested4 ,j4 ,w4 ,berry of ,jewell county1 ,kansas1 member of the board of regents of the state agricultural college1 uses this method and bales his hay in ,october for the city markets1 finding it in perfect condition4 ,he puts his hay into the mow green but not wet1 direct from the cocks1 or windrows the day it is cut1 in layers about four feet deep1 with the slightest possible loss of leaves1 no bleaching and no injury by dew4 ,in #aije he cut his alfalfa four times and stored the fourth cutting on top of the three preceding4 ,he says that having an open floor and plenty of air from the outside1 the hay can be put in the barn as described2 that it should not be tramped1 and it will settle and cure perfectly4 ,the bottom layer or first cutting may show some dust when taken out if handled loose1 but the color will be good and it will bale in with the other cuttings and all grade well4 ,hay cured in this way in #aijd graded 8choice0 in the ,st4 ,louis market4 ,spontaneous combustion does not occur very often1 but it is a possibility1 and it is well to bear in mind that hay may be put in the barn too green4 ,observation teaches that it never takes place unless the hay has been put in the barn while containing a large amount of moisture1 and piled too deep4 ,alfalfa and other clover hays may safely be put in the barn when they contain not to exceed #cj per cent of water4 ,if1 however1 they contain much more than this there is considerable danger1 especially where large quantities are put together1 as is the case in large1 deep mows and sometimes in large stacks4 ,a practical test which may be safely followed is to take a handful of hay1 twist it as hard as possible1 and if no juice can be wrung out of its stems1 it is dry enough to be put in the mow4 ,bunches of wet hay mixed with dry hay have often caused combustion4 ,such should always be discarded4 ,it is poor policy to haul clover hays into a barn after sundown1 as at that time it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere very rapidly4 ,it is a good plan for the haymaker to go into his mow every morning while the hay is curing and observe the conditions1 but he should not1 however1 become alarmed if he finds that the top of his hay is very damp4 ,this will always be the case1 even if it was comparatively dry when put in2 considerable heat develops during the night1 which in turn evaporates moisture4 ,the following morning1 when the air is cool1 a large percentage of this1 especially if the mow is not well ventilated1 is condensed and settles back on the hay4 ,if the moisture1 however1 is excessive1 it is a good plan to scatter a load of dry straw over the top4 ,this will absorb the moisture in part1 after which filling may be continued4 ,in case a load has been put in the barn too wet1 it should be spread to the outer edges1 as there is much less danger of combustion at these places than in the center4 ,in fact1 the greatest heat is always developed in the center1 where the so-called craters form1 and from which moisture and gases are given off as a result of heating and oxidation below4 ,from the fact that spontaneous combustion cannot take place until the water has all been evaporated1 there is no danger until three to four weeks after the hay has been stored4 ,during the first week or so1 if the hay heats to such an extent that there is danger of combustion1 it is well to open up the center as much as possible and allow some of the heat to escape4 ,if1 however1 the heating has continued much longer1 it is dangerous practice to open the hay at all1 because all that is needed1 after the water has been evaporated1 is air1 or oxygen to support combustion1 and the mass will at once burst into flames4 ,sometimes combustion takes place without flames1 in which case the center of the mow gradually chars1 leaving the hay there as black as charcoal1 and without value4 ,professor ,cottrell1 discussing spontaneous combustion 7,kansas ,bul4 ,no4 #aad71 says that all cases observed by him have occurred in hay of the season's first cutting--cut at a time when the growth was rank and the curing most difficult4 ,a period of wet1 muggy weather in ,july or ,august increases the danger1 which in dry weather seems much less4 ,on account of previous trouble from heating in the barn1 he had four years prior to writing stacked the first cutting out of doors and put only the later cuttings in the barn4 ,,losses ,,from ,,stacking ,the ,colorado station found that the loss in feeding value from the hour of cocking to the hour of taking from the stack was #ab4d per cent1 while the loss in hay stored in the barn was about #b4e per cent4 ,if we add to this the stacked hay lost by exposure1 it will easily reach more than #bj per cent under average conditions while in many cases it would reach #dj per cent4 ,this certainly represents an enormous waste1 and by preventing it a man with any considerable area of alfalfa could soon save enough to pay for a barn4 ,,the ,,hay ,,shed ,after a barn the next best place for storing hay is a shed with an adjustable or lifting roof4 ,the ground dimensions should be ample to allow the first cutting to cover its floor and not be over five or possibly six feet deep when first put in4 ,the bottom of the mow should be raised at least one foot from the ground1 and the floor should have at least a twelve-inch air space about every three feet4 ,poles or joists covered with dry straw or old hay make a good floor4 ,spread the hay over the entire floor surface1 on a layer of straw or other dry material4 ,use barrels or boxes as recommended for ventilation in the barn1 and lower the roof until the second cutting4 ,for such a roof the covering should be of some such material as ruberoid1 and the rafters need not be heavy1 except about every sixteen feet4 ,strong iron clamps can be easily adjusted to the supports4 ,when the second cutting is ready1 raise the roof1 which should be in sections1 and put the second crop on top of the first4 ,follow this plan for all other cuttings4 ,if a shed with a stationary roof is used1 dry straw1 or hay1 or corn stover should be put on top of each cutting to protect the alfalfa from rain4 ,almost any kind of a shed or covered structure is preferable to a stack4 ,,conditions ,,for ,,stacking ,if the hay is to be stacked1 there are also special conditions that the experienced insist should be observed4 ,this is not to say that alfalfa hay stacked under conditions quite different may not give fair results1 and much depends on the locality and the climate4 ,however1 the result desired is palatable and nutritious hay and not such as is moldy1 stack-burned or dusty4 ,stacking the hay directly on the ground is sure to mean a loss of some portion of it4 ,elevate the bottom of the stack with poles1 timbers or other like material2 put straw at the bottom and1 preferably1 build a rick rather than a round stack4 ,start the bottom sixteen or eighteen feet wide and build straight up instead of tapering or slanting the sides1 as alfalfa hay will not shed rain or snow water4 ,if there is much moisture and it is convenient to do so1 use a layer of straw or dry hay of some kind every five or six feet4 ,keep the stack full in the middle1 or a little higher than the sides1 and well tramped all the time4 ,when the stack has reached the desired height1 top it out with slough grass1 or dry timothy or prairie hay1 or very green alfalfa1 or protect with tarpaulins or boards2 the boards may be nailed and chained together1 lapped and weighted at the corners1 making a very satisfactory roof4 ,if these directions are followed1 the losses will be kept at a minimum4 ,the ,kansas experiment station authorities say that in an experiment made there an application of salt to the hay when being stored seemed to decrease1 if anything1 rather than increase its feeding value4 ,lime applied in stacking is claimed to have a beneficial effect in preventing mold4 ,the raised bottom and layers of straw are useful accessories for the stack1 shed or mow1 while the barrel or other ventilating contrivances should not be overlooked in either sheds or mows4 ,,storing ,,as ,,silage ,as land values increase and farmers and dairymen come to more fully appreciate the worth of green feed in winter1 the silo grows in estimation4 ,eastern farmers who keep cows or young stock of any kind use the silo more or less1 to conserve for winter the value of both green grass and corn4 ,alfalfa makes an excellent silage1 but its peculiar quality of retaining its green food value1 as hay1 when properly cured1 makes its ensiling much less a necessity4 ,alfalfa hay taken from the mow in ,february1 green1 appetizing and nutritious1 falls little1 if any1 short of serving the purposes of silage4 ,,often ,,profitable ,,to ,,ensile ,,the ,,first ,,cutting ,however1 it is not infrequently found that the first cutting of alfalfa may be ensiled directly from the field at a season when rains would prevent its proper curing for hay4 ,if this is done1 it is important that the rakes and wagons follow very closely after the mower1 as even two hours of sun exposure in the swath lessens its value for silage4 ,men who have cut alfalfa during a light rain and raked and hauled it directly to the silo have reported satisfactory results4 ,others report having cut it in the late afternoon and1 the next morning1 after a heavy rain1 raked and hauled it to the silo while dripping wet4 ,therefore the farmer in the eastern and southern states1 in the ,pacific ,northwest1 or even in the central states may1 on occasion1 plan for the ensiling of his first cutting1 in the faith that it will come out in fine condition if his silo is properly constructed4 ,,suggestions ,,for ,,siloing ,the ,kansas and ,colorado experiment stations recommend that alfalfa for silage should be cut into lengths of1 say1 two inches4 ,long alfalfa does not pack sufficiently close in the silo1 and when so stored the loss is much more than if in short lengths4 ,it should always be heavily weighted and great care taken to pack it well at the outer edges4 ,round silos are most approved because their contents are more readily compacted4 ,the points urged by ,professor ,ten ,eyck1 of the ,kansas experiment station1 are1 7a7 getting the alfalfa to the silo quickly after mowing1 allowing little1 if any1 curing2 7b7 cutting the alfalfa into short lengths rather than storing it whole2 7c7 packing it tightly1 and weighting heavily when all in4 ,he says1 however1 that if the weather will permit proper curing of the alfalfa1 it will make more valuable winter feed as hay than as silage4 ,,baling ,the increasing general demand for alfalfa hay in the city markets of the ,united ,states1 away from the distinct alfalfa regions1 has made finding a method of preparing it for economic shipment of much importance4 ,the compressing of timothy and prairie hay has become so general that alfalfa raisers and shippers are also following this method4 ,the problem of saving the leaves1 and1 at the same time1 being able to market alfalfa green1 has been hard to solve4 ,baling it uncured meant mold1 and baling it when very dry meant loss of leaves and1 hence1 loss in feeding and selling value4 ,the ,kansas station a few years ago carried on a series of experiments extending over several years from which the conclusion was that the only safe procedure is to cure carefully in the field1 put in the stack or mow1 and bale after the final sweating--say thirty days4 ,most of the hay cured and baled in the field was moldy or brown4 ,it is possible1 however1 that a more careful curing1 the use of hay-caps1 letting it stand for several days in cock1 baling1 and then storing in an open shed1 the bales stacked on edge and separated about every third layer by poles1 rails or rafters1 might result in securing high-grade hay direct from the field without stacking4 ,seemingly it will never be safe1 away from the semi-arid regions1 to bale the first cutting from the field2 but the secret may yet be found of so baling the second and third cuttings and obtaining prime hay4 ,its doing is not likely to prove satisfactory1 however1 except in the drier portions of the alfalfa district where large cocks of1 say1 #ejj pounds may be made and left standing for several days before baling4 ,but baling is not likely to be largely followed except in territory where extensive areas are devoted to alfalfa4 ,when practically every farmer in the ,united ,states has his field of alfalfa as he now has of corn1 cotton or clover1 the greater part of the product will be fed on the farm and the surplus hauled direct to the local markets4 ,western ,kansas and ,nebraska alfalfa raisers are having this problem solved for them by the growing practice of stockmen shipping cattle and sheep from the mountain ranges to be fed or fattened where the hay is raised1 and hauled directly from the stack to the feed lots4 ,,poor ,,stuff ,hay dealers report that much of the baled alfalfa shipped is poor stuff4 ,they advise small bales1 weighing about sixty to eighty pounds2 about #bg to #cf inches long1 #ad or #ae inches thick and #ah inches high when laid on edge4 ,they also recommend that in loading a car the bales be placed on their edges instead of on the sides1 as they are less liable to heat4 ,the problem of the city hay dealer is to sell what he has received1 with satisfaction to the purchaser and profit to himself and to his client4 ,if he receives moldy1 dead hay1 with little protein value1 he is not able to please his customer1 not able to secure a good price1 and hence1 not able to please either shipper or buyer4 ,the farmer who raises and ships hay and receives two dollars less per ton for it than his neighbor1 should learn by such money losses the necessity of harvesting and storing his product properly4 ,a4 ,s4 ,hitchcock says in ,farmers' ,bulletin ,no4 #bae1 of the ,united ,states ,department of ,agriculture1 that the baled hay for export to ,alaska1 ,hawaii1 and other trans-oceanic points is compressed by the process known as double compression1 done with baling machines operated by electricity or hydraulic power4 ,the hay obtained by loosening the ordinary bale is compressed into square or cylindrical packages of smaller and more compact form than the ordinary bale4 ,the hydraulic presses used for making the round bales are similar to those used for the cylindrical bales of cotton4 ,the measurements of the different types of double-compressed bales are about as follows3 ,square1 #ae by #ah by #ch inches1 weight #afj pounds2 square bale for ,alaskan trade1 #ad by #ah by #bf inches1 weight #ajj pounds2 round bale1 #b feet in diameter1 #bd inches long1 weight #ade pounds1 or #cf inches long1 weight #bfj pounds4 ,the saving of space in transit may best be understood by comparing the weight and cubic contents of baled and compressed hay4 ,the ordinary bale occupies #adj to #afj cubic feet per ton1 and round bales #ee feet per ton4 ,the most essential point in loading new hay into a car is to see that it is not loaded flat1 that is1 with the flat sides of the bale up4 ,when loaded in this way1 with the smooth sides of the bales together1 no space is left for air and as a consequence the hay not infrequently heats4 ,a properly loaded car has the edges or rough sides of the bales together4 ,this allows air space between the bales and always prevents danger of heating4 ,a new machine is being introduced which makes 7from the windrow if desired7 a cylindrical bale1 with a hollow space lengthwise through its middle4 ,this open space must undoubtedly facilitate the curing of hay baled before sufficiently dry4 ,the machine has a capacity of four to six tons per hour1 makes a bale thirty-six inches long and twenty inches or less in diameter1 as desired1 bound with twine1 and the hay can be eaten from the bale1 with a minimum of waste1 without unfastening4 ,this baler1 if it justifies the claims of its inventors1 should be very useful to those who grow alfalfa for marketing away from the farm4 ,,grading ,,and ,,grades ,,of ,,alfalfa ,,hay ,on account of the increasing demands for alfalfa hay1 and growth in the business of selling it in cities1 dealers have found that the establishment of some uniform and generally accepted method of grading the different qualities was a business necessity4 ,as a result of this its consideration was taken up by the ,national ,hay ,association's committee on grades and upon the committee's recommendation the association in #aije adopted the following classification3 ,choice ,alfalfa--,shall be reasonably fine1 leafy alfalfa1 of bright green color1 properly cured1 sound1 sweet and well baled4 ,no4 #a ,alfalfa--,shall be coarse alfalfa of bright1 green color1 or reasonably fine1 leafy1 of good color1 and may contain five per cent of foreign grasses2 must be well baled1 sound and sweet4 ,no4 #b ,alfalfa--,shall include alfalfa somewhat bleached1 but of fair color1 reasonably leafy1 not more than one-eighth foreign grasses1 sound and well baled4 ,no4 #c ,alfalfa--,shall include bleached alfalfa1 or alfalfa mixed with not to exceed one-fourth foreign grasses1 but when mixed must be of fair color1 sound and well baled4 ,no ,grade ,alfalfa--,shall include all alfalfa not good enough for other grades1 caked1 musty1 grassy1 or threshed4 ,illustration3 ,lattice ,rack for ,feeding ,alfalfa to ,cattle ,illustration3 ,box ,rack for ,feeding ,alfalfa to ,sheep ,illustration3 ,lattice ,rack for ,feeding ,alfalfa to ,sheep ,illustration3 ,box ,rack for ,feeding ,alfalfa to ,cattle ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,pasturing and ,soiling ,,pasturing ,,not ,,always ,,economy ,its perennial nature and the reports of its wonderfully productive and nutritive qualities might naturally lead the farmer1 without better acquaintance1 to suppose that with alfalfa he has perpetual pasture2 that he will open the gate to his live stock in the spring1 send for the butcher or buyer in ,october1 and then winter in luxurious leisure4 ,but he finds that the easiest is not always the most profitable way4 ,pasturing with any stock is an expensive and extravagant method of gathering a valuable crop from high-priced land4 ,where land is cheap and pasture is wild1 stock are not expensive help in gathering a cheap crop2 but it is easily demonstrated that when land values are high and a crop value is in a like altitude1 man with machinery can do the harvesting more economically than can a cow1 a steer or even a sheep4 ,,alfalfa ,a ,,tender ,,plant ,in some respects alfalfa does not seem to be a natural pasture plant4 ,the stems are delicate1 it will not thrive in a hard1 trampled soil1 and the crowns when broken off will not revive2 if some of the plants bloom and drop their flowers early in the season1 they lose vigor and many of them die4 ,these peculiarities would at least indicate that it should not be pastured at all until it has become established1 has its crowns well spread1 has abundant stems and its roots have a strong start on their underground career4 ,not an animal should be turned on an alfalfa field until the second or third year if it is desired that the stand endure for several years1 nor should it be pastured too early in the spring or too late in the fall4 ,there should be something of a growth left for winter protection4 ,careful alfalfa raisers are known who pasture their older fields1 but never put on a full quota of stock until they have cut over the field when the plants are first coming into bloom4 ,they insist that this cutting invigorates and gives the plants new life4 ,they then pasture quite closely until some time in ,september1 after which there is time for some final growth for winter protection4 ,a ,,good ,,swine ,,pasture ,a chief exception that most farmers insist on is that it is an excellent pasture for pigs and1 if it is not stocked too heavily1 its use for grazing young swine will not largely decrease the yield of hay4 ,its marked protein property seems to give to the pigs a superior growth of frame and flesh4 ,farmers claim that pigs a few weeks old turned into an alfalfa field derive almost their entire living from it and leave the sows two weeks earlier than other pigs1 coming in ,september with a gain of from #ajj to #abe pounds1 while the field has yielded its three cuttings of hay4 ,of course1 if too many pigs are grazed1 the hay yield will be less4 ,but even here the question of labor versus hay must be considered4 ,,dangers ,,to ,,cattle ,,and ,,sheep ,the greatest objection to pasturing alfalfa is its bloating cattle and sheep4 ,hogs and horses do not suffer1 although a ,texas farmer writes that he lost some pigs from something similar to bloat that he attributed to the alfalfa4 ,but this may be considered questionable1 as thousands have regularly pastured hogs and horses on alfalfa with no symptoms of bloat4 ,from hundreds of inquiries sent out by the experiment stations1 it is determined that over ninety per cent of those who have pastured cattle or sheep on alfalfa have lost one or more animals by doing so1 yet many report having pastured the same kind of stock on alfalfa for years1 regularly every season1 without loss4 ,careful investigations have been made with the purpose of finding out why some have been immune while others suffered4 ,since1 in the cases of loss1 only a small proportion of the animals pastured are affected1 it may be inferred that much depends upon the nature and condition of the individual animal4 ,practically every western station has carefully experimented1 following the directions of men who have been free from loss1 yet it has cost each station valuable animals4 ,horse stock of all ages find alfalfa pasturage conducive to growth1 fattening1 and their general health4 ,if the foliage is short and scant1 horses are severe on the fields used in winter because they are able to crop close1 and not infrequently paw loose dirt away from the plants1 biting off the crowns a fourth or even half inch below the surface of the ground4 ,it is easy to understand the loss of the bud or growing point may be detrimental to the growth and usefulness of the plants1 causing many to die1 resulting in bare spots later to be overgrown by noxious weeds and grasses4 ,after the damage is done there remains no remedy but to plow up the field and reseed1 or to disk thoroughly and then reseed the bare spots4 ,if the field has not deteriorated too much1 the latter is much to be preferred4 ,by diligence and careful treatment1 or prompt action closely following any encroachments upon the life of the plants1 the quality and yield may be maintained and the profits relatively enhanced4 ,alfalfa has wonderful recuperative powers1 but continuous nipping of the crowns will do most serious harm and eventually decrease the yield not a little4 ,,experiences ,,with ,,cattle ,one man reports turning eighty steers into one alfalfa field where there was running water1 and a second herd into another field without running water1 but water ran through a wild grass meadow adjoining1 into which this herd was driven every afternoon and turned back into the alfalfa the next morning4 ,the first herd suffered no loss1 while five valuable animals died in the second field on the second day1 before they could be removed4 ,when all were put into the first field there was no more bloat4 ,another reported turning cows into a small field where there was a trough full of water all the time4 ,here1 as in the case of the steers1 a full feed was given before the cows were turned on the alfalfa4 ,before noon one cow had to be relieved by a trocar1 and another by being driven rapidly about the field4 ,the wherefores of such occurrences present a problem yet to be solved4 ,certainly there is more danger in pasturing cows and sheep on alfalfa than most people care to risk4 ,aside from the financial loss1 there is1 also1 the humane side of the question4 ,a very fair statement1 representative of those made by parties who pasture cattle on alfalfa without losses from bloat1 is the following1 given to the author by ,mr4 ,s4 ,c4 ,hanna1 an extensive and reputable breeder of ,shorthorns1 in ,elk county1 7southern7 ,kansas1 who says3 8,i have been pasturing alfalfa successfully without bloating my cattle for a number of years2 in fact1 ,i have never lost an animal from alfalfa bloat4 ,as ,i am raising high priced1 pure bred ,shorthorns and graze them on my meadows more or less at all times of year1 ,i always sow a good mixture of ,english blue-grass 7,festuca elatior7 and orchard grass 7,dactylis glomerata7 with it1 making alfalfa the base and principal seeding4 ,i am very partial to orchard grass in this mixture because it makes considerable hay1 and springs up so quickly after each mowing4 ,in this section orchard grass is a stayer1 and will hold its own against all comers4 8,i always am cautious when we first turn the cattle on alfalfa1 seeing to it that they have a good fill on something else beforehand1 and hold them at first on some part of the field where the mixed grasses are the thickest1 so they can graze there first4 ,in twenty minutes they will be safe to go where they wish1 and may be allowed to run at will thereafter4 ,i find1 however1 that on the clear alfalfa meadows there is almost no danger from bloat after the plants have begun to bloom4 ,i usually have some hay stacked in the pastures1 that the cattle may run to4 ,i have1 however1 pastured alfalfa in all stages where there would be perhaps twenty acres of alfalfa in one place1 and some prairie grass and also tame grasses in the same enclosure1 and had no bloat4 ,this has been1 too1 sometimes in ,may and ,june1 when showers were frequent and the alfalfa most succulent4 ,it would seem that the cattle will take care of themselves if they have a good chance4 ,i usually superintend these changes personally1 and see that all conditions are right4 8,i find we get almost as much hay from the mixed fields as from the exclusively alfalfa meadows1 and the fall aftermath is much better4 ,the theory that alfalfa will not flourish with the other grasses is wrong4 ,my favorite meadows contain a mixture of this kind1 including some red clover1 and ,i have cut four good crops of hay from them this season1 after pasturing moderately from ,march #ae to ,may #a4 ,i always get the stock horses and mules on pasture by ,march #ae1 and the cattle about ,april #a1 and move them to wild grass prairie pasture about ,may #a1 except a few that we will keep on the meadows all season4 ,these we change from one field to another when the alfalfa becomes tall enough to be trampled down or damaged4 8,if my object was only to raise hay for market1 ,i would sow the alfalfa alone and keep the stock off altogether1 but for my purpose ,i prefer a mixture4 ,by doing my way ,i never miss a good stand1 and the mixture keeps down the foxtail and crab grass4 ,i have been sowing this mixture for about fifteen years1 and have over #cjj acres40 ,mr4 ,j4 ,f4 ,stodder of ,cowley county1 ,kansas1 a prominent breeder of pure bred cattle1 makes this statement to the author1 which is simply further testimony that a mixture of other grasses with alfalfa intended for grazing greatly diminishes1 if it does not entirely eliminate1 the risk and dangers of bloat3 8,i have several fields of mixed grasses4 ,these contain enough alfalfa so that we cut them for hay at regular times1 and the proportion of grasses and alfalfa is largely in favor of the latter4 ,in such fields as these ,i pasture cattle at will1 and have never seen any evidence of bloat therefrom4 ,but my experience with the straight alfalfa fields leads me to be very cautious4 ,i find that ,i can pasture them at times without danger1 and at other times a large proportion of the cattle will bloat4 ,it is possible that ,i have made the statement that ,i never lost cattle by pasturing alfalfa1 which is true1 because we have always been lucky enough to discover the ailing animals in time to give them relief40 ,mr4 ,f4 ,s4 ,kirk of ,oklahoma1 mentioned in ,chapter ,,iii1 pastures his cattle on alfalfa in fall and spring1 but does not give them access to his meadows in the morning until the dew has dried off1 and for only twenty or thirty minutes the first day or two2 then for an hour or two for a few days1 and after that they are left in the pastures until sundown4 ,,generally ,,dangerous ,,to ,,sheep ,experiments with sheep seem to be even more disastrous than with cattle4 ,in an investigation conducted by the ,colorado station1 losses were reported by nearly every man who had pastured sheep on alfalfa4 ,some lost but one or two1 while others lost forty or fifty4 ,a few reported that each spring they lost a few sheep the first day they were on the pasture1 and then no more1 and that the losses of old sheep were of less importance than the growth of the lambs1 these being seldom affected by bloat4 ,most1 however1 advised that the old should not be turned on alfalfa under any circumstances1 but that lambs1 if well fed in the morning1 let on the alfalfa after the dew was off and then kept there night and day would do well1 and the loss be smaller than that in a normal season from other causes4 ,j4 ,e4 ,wing states that his loss from pasturing lambs on alfalfa in ,ohio is less than it formerly was from one or two parasitic diseases that never trouble alfalfa-pastured lambs4 ,he gives his lambs a full feed in the morning1 turns them on the alfalfa field about ten o'clock1 and leaves them there continuously until ,september4 ,he begins the pasturing just before the seasons first growth of the alfalfa blooms4 ,while by no means without risk1 pasturing sheep on alfalfa is not always necessarily fatal and the following1 related in the ,breeder's ,gazette by ,mr4 ,c4 ,h4 ,williams of ,powell county1 ,montana1 is interesting3 8,we have been pasturing sheep in large numbers on alfalfa for the past eight years4 ,we have lost from bloat as many as #bf in one day from a flock of #afjj1 but we seldom lose one now4 ,we find they are much more apt to bloat on windy days2 more especially if the wind blows from the south and is soft and balmy4 ,this may seem strange1 but we believe it a fact4 ,we have in our employ a shepherd who has during the greater part of his life herded sheep on alfalfa in the vicinity of ,pau and d',oloron1 ,france4 ,the day we lost #bf ewes from bloat this man was several miles from the home ranch4 ,when visited by the camptender he remarked3 #8,this will be a bad day for the old ewes on the alfalfa4' ,why so8 #8,because the wind is soft and warm1' said he4 ,that afternoon we found #bf dead4 8,our ,french shepherd has a simple and never failing remedy for bloat from alfalfa or clover4 ,it is simply a half-pint of sweet milk administered to the animal when found bloated4 ,i saved a fine ram lamb the other day4 ,he was fearfully bloated1 unable to walk and scarcely able to breathe4 ,i found an old can in the road1 hastened to the pasture1 milked a half pint of milk from a cow1 set the lamb on his rump and poured the milk down his throat4 ,in a half hour he was all right and following the flock4 ,milk from a ewe will answer just as well4 ,we have adopted the following rules3 ,never allow the sheep to go on alfalfa pasture when very hungry2 if possible get a little dry feed in their stomachs in the morning before going to the alfalfa2 watch them closely on windy days1 and have the herders carry a bottle of sweet milk40 ,a ,,possible ,,explanation ,the most of the losses reported were of animals which had been taken off the pasture at night and turned back the second morning when hungry and eager to graze4 ,yet there are reports of severe losses the first day1 even after a full feed4 ,possibly it will be found that the animals that suffer from bloat are not in good physical condition1 and are more nervous and greedy in their habit of eating than those not affected4 ,it may be that an intelligent sorting of the animals to be turned on the pasture might save loss4 ,it is also quite generally believed that alfalfa growing on uplands is less liable to cause bloat than that raised on bottom lands4 ,,rules ,,for ,,pasturing ,the most generally approved rules in regard to pasturing are3 ,at the beginning of the pasturing season give animals a heavy feeding in the morning before turning upon the alfalfa4 ,have water in the pasture all the time4 ,keep the animals in the pasture night and day1 after they have become accustomed to it1 until removed permanently4 ,use upland in preference to bottom fields for pasture4 ,watch the stock closely the first few days and remove permanently animals that show symptoms of bloat4 ,sow blue-grass1 brome grass1 or meadow fescue with alfalfa in fields intended for permanent pasture4 ,the following valuable information upon bloat 7tympanitis7 and its treatment was prepared by ,nelson ,s4 ,mayo1 formerly professor of veterinary science at the ,kansas agricultural college3 8,bloating1 in all cases1 is accumulation of gas in the stomach or intestines1 or both1 but more particularly in the paunch 7rumen74 ,this gas is produced by a fermentation1 similar to that observed when cider is #8working' and the gas escapes in bubbles4 ,there is usually a small quantity of gas given off from the food during normal1 healthy digestion1 but so small that it causes no trouble1 and passes off readily through the intestines1 though sometimes from the stomach1 up the esophagus1 and out of the nose or mouth--#8belched up1' as it is commonly expressed4 ,these gases which cause an animal to bloat are generated in considerable quantities if a large amount of juicy1 green food is eaten4 ,alfalfa1 clover and frozen roots are very liable to produce bloating4 8,it is well known that only part of the animals in a herd pasturing upon clover or alfalfa bloat2 so the blame cannot be laid entirely upon the food1 but is probably the result of a slight derangement of the digestive organs1 not ordinarily noticed1 but easily aggravated by certain foods which ferment easily4 ,animals that are ailing are very liable to bloat when turned on alfalfa pastures4 ,alfalfa and clover are much more liable to produce bloating if wet with rain or dew1 and especially hoar frost1 and animals are more apt to bloat if turned into the pastures when very hungry1 as they gorge themselves1 and the food is not properly masticated4 ,hence1 cattle should not be allowed to go hungry to the pastures4 8,it is generally believed by those who have had considerable experience in pasturing clover or alfalfa1 that cattle and sheep are less liable to bloat if they have free access to dry food1 such as hay or straw4 ,common bloating1 or hoove1 occurs in animals having a compound stomach and that chew the cud--ruminants1 as they are called4 ,of our common domestic animals1 cattle and sheep belong to this order4 8,one of the first symptoms noticed is that the animal stops feeding1 and remains lagging behind or stands by itself4 ,rumination1 or chewing of the cud1 is suspended2 the animal appears dull and listless1 the back slightly arched2 the whole abdomen or belly is distended with a prominent swelling on the left side just forward of the point of the hip4 ,if the swelling is tapped lightly with the fingers there is a hollow1 drum-like sound2 hence the technical name1 tympanitis4 8,the rumen being distended with gas not only makes the animal appear much fuller than usual1 but it presses forward on the diaphragm1 or #8midriff1' and this presses against the lungs1 and interferes seriously with the animal's breathing4 ,the breath is short and rapid4 ,the animal often grunts1 or moans1 with each breath4 ,the animal's nose protrudes1 and there is a driveling of saliva from the mouth4 ,sometimes there are quite severe colicky pains1 shown by the animal's kicking at its belly and stepping about uneasily4 ,sometimes1 also1 the pressure is so great as to cause eversion or bulging out of the rectum4 ,the symptoms of bloating are so prominent1 especially when the history of the case is taken into account1 as to make this disease very easy to recognize1 even by an ordinary observer4 8,when animals die from bloating1 death usually takes place in the following manner3 ,the diaphragm is pressed against the lungs so hard that the animal cannot breathe1 and it dies of suffocation4 ,animals usually remain standing until near the end1 when they gradually lose consciousness1 stagger1 and fall1 and in falling rupture some of the vital organs4 8,treatment must depend somewhat upon the condition of the animal4 ,if the animal is badly bloated1 with labored breathing and staggering gait1 energetic measures must be resorted to at once4 ,the best and most satisfactory treatment for bad cases is tapping4 ,this consists in making a hole through the skin and muscles1 over the prominent swelling on the left side1 into the rumen or #8paunch1' thus allowing the gas to escape at once1 relieving the animal4 8,the best method of tapping is by means of an instrument called a trocar and cannula4 ,a trocar is a sharp-pointed instrument1 five or six inches long1 and about the size of a lead pencil1 with a handle at one end4 ,over the point of the trocar slips a tube1 called a cannula1 not quite as long as the trocar1 with a wide flange around the upper end of the tube1 as shown in the illustration herewith4 ,,trocar ,,and ,,cannula 8,to use a trocar and cannula1 proceed as follows3 ,tie the animal so it cannot get away4 ,with a sharp knife1 make a small incision through the skin over the prominent part of the swelling on the left side4 ,this incision should be made about half way between the point of the hip and the last rib1 and should be large enough to admit the trocar and cannula readily4 ,the incision should be made quickly2 then the animal will not notice it4 ,after the incision is made the trocar and cannula are pushed quickly in and directed downward1 inward1 and forward2 push the trocar in until the flange of the cannula rests against the skin4 ,withdraw the trocar and the gas will rush out2 that is1 it usually does so2 occasionally1 however1 the end of the cannula is plugged up with green food4 ,this can usually be remedied by pulling out the cannula part way1 or pushing the trocar in again and withdrawing it4 ,if this doesn't work1 tap the stomach again in another place1 using the same hole through the skin4 ,the escape of gas is usually accompanied by a small quantity of green food4 ,illustration3 ,trocar and ,cannula 8,if a trocar and cannula are not available in an urgent case1 a knife can be used very successfully--a good-sized pocket knife blade1 pushed quickly through the skin and muscles1 in the same manner as described for the trocar and cannula4 ,care must be taken that the sharp edge of the blade is not turned towards the animal's tail1 as it sometimes jumps forward1 and a much larger hole is cut than was originally intended4 8,a careful and observing stockman of ,colorado1 who has had a large experience with alfalfa bloating1 informs me that he prefers a moderately small1 sharp butcher knife to either a trocar and cannula or a pocket knife4 ,it gives relief quicker and with no bad effects4 ,sometimes1 if the opening through the skin is small1 made by a small knife1 a quill or small tube is fastened in to keep the incision open1 so the gas can escape4 ,it is usually necessary to keep the incision open for several hours4 ,the only bad result of tapping is that occasionally green food gets outside of the rumen into the abdominal cavity in sufficient quantities to cause inflammation and death2 but if the operation is intelligently performed1 these bad results are extremely rare--probably not more than one case in #ajj4 ,if the weather is warm1 care should be taken that flies do not bother the wound in the skin4 8,if the case is not severe enough to warrant tapping1 the following remedies will be found useful3 ,a gag made by winding a good-sized rope back of the horns and through the mouth1 or a bit1 made of a piece of wood the size of a fork handle1 can be tied in the animal's mouth4 ,the bit should be smooth1 to prevent injuring the mouth4 ,then a small handful of salt should be thrown well back on the roots of the tongue4 ,this causes the animal to work its tongue1 increases the flow of saliva1 and thus favors the regurgitation1 or gulping up1 of the gas4 ,the salt and saliva swallowed help to stop fermentation4 8,blankets wrung out of cold water and wrapped around the abdomen or belly1 or cold water dashed on with a bucket1 often give relief4 ,turpentine given as a drench1 in milk sufficient that it will not irritate the animal1 is good1 two ounces of turpentine for adult cattle and one-half ounce for sheep being a dose4 ,hyposulphite of soda1 dissolved in water and given as a drench1 is good2 one ounce for cattle and two drachms for sheep4 ,this can be repeated every half hour for two or three doses4 ,aqua ammonia1 two ounces for cattle and one-half ounce for sheep1 well diluted with water2 carbolic acid1 cattle #cj drops1 sheep #h to #aj drops in sufficient water2 common soda1 in half-ounce doses for cattle and one-half drachm for sheep1 can be given4 ,in giving medicine as drenches1 they should be well diluted with water or other substances until they will not burn when touched to the tongue4 ,in giving drenches1 be careful and not choke the animal4 ,if the animal coughs or struggles violently1 stop at once until it recovers somewhat4 ,give drenches slowly4 8,drenches are mostly administered from a long-necked1 thick1 glass bottle1 or drenching horn4 ,take hold of the nose with the left hand1 by putting the thumb and finger in the nostrils1 while an assistant takes hold of the horns1 and tips the head back4 ,standing on the right side of the animal1 with the right hand put the neck of the bottle in the right corner of the mouth1 and pour the medicine in slowly4 ,after the bloating has been relieved1 it is a good plan to give the animal a purgative--one pound of ,epsom salts1 with one-half pound common salt1 for cattle2 and for a sheep1 six ounces of ,epsom salts and three ounces of common salt1 dissolved in plenty of warm water1 and given as a drench4 ,the animals should also be dieted until their digestive organs regain their normal condition4 ,by dieting1 ,i do not mean starving1 but plenty of easily digested and nutritious food4 ,an animal that bloats once is very liable to bloat again4 ,by judicious handling and feeding1 by watching animals closely1 and treating them in time1 few will be lost by alfalfa bloating40 ,,alfalfa ,,as ,a ,,soiling ,,crop ,alfalfa may be cut for soiling just when it contains the highest per cent of protein1 while if pastured some is eaten before its best period1 the most of it after that point is reached1 and probably a large portion of the leaves is lost entirely4 ,cut for soiling and fed daily1 when wilted1 there is less danger from bloat1 as in this way animals will eat stalks as well as leaves3 the entire product is used and there is no loss from trampling the fields nor by plants being covered and smothered with animal droppings4 ,,some ,,comparisons ,the ,nebraska station reports that in an experiment there it required 4#ga of an acre to keep a cow for a given time by soiling1 while by pasturing it required #c4fc acres2 also that the cows kept on pasture during the experiment actually consumed more grain than those that were soiled4 ,this report further states that while the pastured cows gave more milk each day1 the cost of production was greater4 ,by another experiment with cows for a single year it was indicated 7,bul4 ,no4 #fi7 8that about twice as much feed was secured from the land when the alfalfa was soiled as when it was pastured4 ,the average daily production of milk and of butterfat was markedly greater when the crop was pastured than when soiled4 ,in one test this amounted to one-third more1 but in the other test the difference was not so great4 ,the profits from soiling as compared with pasturing will depend largely on two factors--the price of labor and the value of the land40 ,a western ,kansas farmer writes that one acre of alfalfa cut daily for soiling maintained as many cows as he was able to keep on a five-acre field used as pasture4 ,the ,kansas station reported that in an experiment1 lasting #add days1 the cows on alfalfa pasture returned an income1 less cost of grain fed1 of #d4bc1 while cows soiled on alfalfa cut and fed green returned an income1 less the grain fed1 of #ah4jh4 ,this station also reported that a neighboring dairyman maintained ten milch cows for a whole summer1 without any grain1 on two acres of alfalfa1 cut and fed to them fresh three times a day4 ,a ,,method ,,for ,,the ,,small ,,farmer ,in the ,central ,west where labor is scarce and land comparatively low in price1 farmers are not likely to adopt the soiling system while such conditions exist2 but east of the ,mississippi river1 and especially in ,new ,york1 ,pennsylvania and ,new ,england1 where land is high and labor scarce1 alfalfa offers great possibilities as a soiling crop4 ,the small farmer who now cannot afford to raise many pigs1 because he does not raise enough corn to fatten them1 will find that by soiling alfalfa he can maintain from ,may to ,september from five acres as many as ten cows and fifty pigs2 and that these pigs1 with some grain from the first of ,august1 while being fed green alfalfa1 may by the middle of ,november be made ready for market4 ,if he has another five acres of alfalfa for hay1 it will yield enough in three cuttings to go far toward wintering his cows1 a team of horses1 and his sows4 ,his ten acres will be growing richer every year1 and at the end of five years be in prime condition to yield him big returns in corn1 wheat1 or potatoes and other vegetables4 ,alfalfa is distinctly a crop adapted to the small farmer1 everywhere2 there is1 as a rule1 little question that this method of utilizing it brings much greater returns per acre than if it were used as pasturage or hay4 ,green alfalfa when pastured1 7barring bloat71 or cut and fed daily is peculiarly valuable for all such young stock as colts1 lambs1 calves and pigs4 ,it tends to develop strength of bone and hastens the growth of muscle4 ,illustration3 ,alfalfa ,field in ,central ,new ,york ,showing growth ,august #bb1 #aijg1 seven days after third cutting ,illustration3 ,fourth ,cutting of ,alfalfa in ,shawnee ,county1 ,kansas ,photo taken in ,september ,illustration3 ,a ,second ,cutting of ,alfalfa 7,july #bh7 in ,shawnee ,county1 ,eastern ,kansas ,this was sown on the last half of the preceding ,september4 ,four cuttings probable with an aggregate yield of four tons per acre ,,chapter ,x4 ,alfalfa as a ,feed ,stuff ,,as ,,an ,,appetizer ,the feeding value of alfalfa is largely in its chemical compound known as protein2 its extreme digestibility is another desirable quality to be considered1 and not least is its appetizing character4 ,not only do all animals like it1 but when given in moderate quantities it seems to increase the general appetite for more fat-making feeds4 ,steers beginning to 8fall off0 on a heavy diet of corn will come to their appetites after being fed only a few pounds of alfalfa daily1 and will eat and assimilate more corn than before4 ,alfalfa alone is not a fat-making feed4 ,animals fed upon it grow in weight1 but the weight is principally of bone1 blood and muscle4 ,it is without a sufficiency of fat and carbohydrates1 and these should be added in such foods as corn1 corn meal1 ,kafir corn1 or ,kafir corn meal2 or to a limited degree even in corn stover1 sorghum or millet4 ,when alfalfa is fed alone all the protein cannot be digested1 and1 therefore1 it is always economical to add some carbonaceous foods1 if animals are fattening for market4 ,for several years feeders have been deploring the fact that fattening mainly with corn was becoming less and less profitable4 ,when they began to figure the exact cost of each pound of gain on a steer or hog1 they saw clearly that corn alone made the pound of gain cost too much2 sometimes as much as it was worth in the market1 leaving neither profit nor interest on the investment4 ,the problem then became how to produce the pound of meat more economically4 ,such a condition has prompted the state stations to make tests to determine the feeding value of various articles1 and especially the value of alfalfa as a balance to the more carbonaceous foods4 ,the tables here appended are worth studying3 ,,food ,,value ,,of ,,several ,,fodder ,,crops 7,from ,new ,york experiment station ,bul4 ,no4 #aah47 ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,total ,yield per ,dry digestible acre of matter matter ,digestible total cropper acre per acre protein ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,pounds ,pounds ,pounds ,pounds ,alfalfa #cd1ajj #h1jjj #e1bhj #hge ,corn1 entire plant #bh1jjj #e1hjj #c1hjj #cjj ,red clover #ah1jjj #e1bbj #c1bjj #dia ,oats and peas #ac1jjj #c1abj #b1eba #cej ,timothy #aj1jjj #c1ejj #b1jjj #bbh ,rutabagas #ca1gjj #c1djj #c1jjj #bgi ,mangels #be1jjj #c1ejj #b1gej #bcb ,sugar beets #ag1hjj #b1ejj #a1hjj #bac ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,,analyses ,,of ,,feedstuffs ,the following table gives the analyses of a number of feedstuffs1 showing the percentage of digestible nutrients and fertilizing constituents in each3 7,from ,texas experiment station ,bul4 ,no4 #ff7 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,digestible ,fertilizer con- nutrients stituents in #ajjj ,dry in #ajj pounds pounds matter---------------------------------- -- in ,carbo- ,ether ,phos- #ajj ,pro- hy- ,ex- ,nitro-phoric pounds tein drates tract gen acid ,potash ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,,hays3 ,alfalfa #ia4f #aa4j #ci4f #a4b #ba4i #e4a #af4h ,cowpea #hi4c #aj4h #ch4f #a4a #ai4e #e4b #ad4g ,oat hay #ia4a #d4c #df4d #a4e 4444 4444 4444 ,fodder corn #eg4h #b4e #cd4f #a4b #ag4f #e4d #h4i ,sorghum #hb4jd #b4d #dj4f #a4b 4444 4444 4444 ,cottonseed hulls #hh4i 4#c #cc4a #a4g #f4i #b4e #aj4b ,,green ,,feeds3 ,alfalfa #bh4b #c4i #ab4g 4#e #g4b #a4c #e4f ,cowpea #af4d #a4h #h4g 4#b #b4g #a4j #c4a ,oat fodder #cg4h #a4f #ah4i #a4j #d4i #a4c #c4h ,corn silage #bj4i 4#i #aa4c 4#g #b4h #a4a #c4g ,sorghum #hb4d #b4d #d4a #a4b 4444 4444 4444 ,rape #ad4j #a4e #h4a 4#b #d4e #a4e #c4f ,,grains3 ,wheat bran #hh4a #ab4b #ci4b #b4g #bf4g #bh4i #af4a ,cottonseed meal #ia4h #cg4b #af4i #ab4b #fg4i #bh4h #h4g ,corn #hi4a #g4i #ff4g #d4c #ah4b #g4j #d4j ,cowpea #he4b #ah4c #ed4b #a4a #cc4c 4444 4444 ,cotton seed #hi4g #ab4e #cj4j #ag4c #ca4c #ab4g #aa4g ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,from the above table we find that five tons of alfalfa hay contains #a1ajj pounds of protein1 equal to this food element in ,cotton seed meal #b1ief pounds ,linseed meal #c1ged pounds ,wheat bran #i1jaf pounds ,cowpea hay #aj1ahe pounds ,red clover hay #af1agf pounds ,timothy hay #ci1bhe pounds ,,relative ,,values ,,of ,,different ,,cuttings ,the most interesting experiments comprehending tests of the comparative yield1 composition and digestibility of early1 medium and late cuttings of alfalfa1 of the first1 second and third crops2 the relative feeding value of the various cuttings1 and of the different crops1 have been made at the ,utah station1 details of which are recorded in the station's bulletins ,nos4 #ca1 #dd and #fa4 ,these tests and investigations extended continuously through a period of five years1 and following are the more important facts developed and the conclusions that may be legitimately drawn from them1 as summarized 7,bul4 ,no4 #fa7 by ,profs4 ,luther ,foster and ,l4 ,a4 ,merrill who supervised the work3 #a4 ,the largest annual yield of hay per acre is obtained by the method of early cutting and the lowest by the late1 the average result standing as follows3 early cutting1 #ajj2 medium1 #ib2 and late1 #he4 #b4 ,the early cut alfalfa contains the highest per cent of protein and fat1 the most valuable food constituents1 and the lowest per cent of crude fiber1 the most indigestible portion4 ,the former decrease constantly while the latter increases rapidly from early bloom to the full maturity of the plant4 #c4 ,the proportionate amount of leaves to stems is greater at early bloom that at any subsequent time1 and both leaves and stems contain a greater per cent of protein and a less per cent of crude fiber at this time than at any later period in the growth of the plant4 ,the relative proportion of leaves to stems in the different cuttings is as follows3 early1 #db to #eh2 medium1 #dj to #fj2 and late1 #cc to #fg4 #d4 ,alfalfa leaves as compared with stems are very much richer in protein1 fat and nitrogen-free extract1 and they contain a much smaller proportion of crude fiber4 ,the per cent of the protein and fat grows constantly less1 and that of the crude fiber greater1 from the time of early bloom to maturity4 ,the average composition of all cuttings and crops shows the leaves to contain #aej per cent more protein than the stems1 #cjj per cent more fat1 #ce per cent more nitrogen-free extract1 and #bef per cent less crude fiber4 #e4 ,the more important nutrients1 protein and fat1 have the highest per cent of digestibility in the early cuttings and it grows less and less with the age of the plant4 #f4 ,in the feeding tests1 the highest gains were made from the early cuttings and the lowest from the late1 the results standing proportionately as follows3 early cutting1 #ajj2 medium1 #he2 and late1 #ge4 #g4 ,the variation in the amount of the different cuttings eaten per day was very slight1 being the highest for the early cutting and the lowest for the late1 but the quantity of dry matter and also of digestible matter required for a pound of gain was decidedly lowest for the early cutting and highest for the late1 the relative amounts of dry matter standing as follows3 early cutting1 #ajj2 medium1 #aca2 and late1 #aff4 #h4 ,the annual beef product per acre was largest from the early cuttings1 not only in the general average but in each separate season's test1 and that from the late cuttings was smallest1 the proportional products standing as follows3 early cutting1 #ajj2 medium1 #gi2 and late1 #fi4 #i4 ,taking all points of comparison into consideration1 both separately and collectively1 including everything that pertains to the largest yield and the highest feeding value1 the tests favor cutting alfalfa for cattle feeding when the first blooms appear4 ,,crop ,,comparisons #aj4 ,the first crop gave the largest yield in each of the five tests and in fourteen out of the fifteen cuttings1 while the third crop gave the lowest for every test and in every cutting but one4 ,the average acre yields for the five years1 including all cuttings1 stand in the following relation3 first crop1 #ajj2 second1 #gh2 and third1 #ci2 for the early cuttings alone1 first crop1 #ajj2 second1 #hc2 and third1 #ff4 #aa4 ,in the average composition of all cuttings for three years1 the nutrients of the three crops vary but little4 ,the second has slightly the highest per cent of protein and fiber2 and the third the most fat and nitrogen-free extract4 #ab4 ,the third crop has the largest proportion of leaves to stems2 but the per cent of protein in the leaves is highest in the second crop2 and next highest in the first4 ,the leaves of the first crop contain the most fat and of the second1 the least4 #ac4 ,the third crop produced a higher average rate of gain in the feeding tests than the first or second and also higher than any of the separate cuttings4 ,the amount eaten daily was also highest of all1 but the dry matter and digestible matter for a pound of gain were the lowest4 ,in a pound per pound comparison the gains stood as follows3 first crop1 #ajj2 second1 #ha2 and third1 #abf2 dry matter for a pound of gain1 first crop1 #ajj2 second1 #aae2 and third1 #fi4 #ad4 ,the beef product per acre1 taking the average result of all cuttings for the five years1 was very much the highest for the first crop and decidedly the lowest for the third1 standing as follows3 first crop1 #ajj2 second1 #fa2 and third1 #de4 ,but taking the early cuttings alone they stand1 first crop1 #ajj2 second1 #hj2 and third1 #fi4 #ae4 ,pound for pound1 taken as a whole1 the results show the highest feeding value for the third crop and the lowest for the second4 #af4 ,the average annual beef product from early cut alfalfa was #gje4fa pounds per acre2 it required #iege pounds of timothy to produce an equal weight2 #aa1ifg pounds of red clover1 and #aj1jhc pounds of shredded corn fodder4 ,prof4 ,john ,a4 ,widtsoe at the ,utah station 7,bul4 ,no4 #dh7 made a study of the nutrients of the alfalfa crop1 and some of the facts gathered are given in the following table3 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ,,first ,,cutting ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,condition of growth ,protein ,nitro- gen-free ,crude ,ether extract fiber extract ,ash ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,pounds,pounds,pounds,pounds,pounds ,may #d4 ,height1 #f in 4444 #fjg #afh #dj #afg ,june #a4 ,height1 #ah in #fig #a1bdg #fah #ajc #cfi ,july #g4 ,full flower #gde #b1bgh #b1ajh #aah #dca ,aug4 #aj4 ,flowers fallen1 leaves dry #fdd #b1bih #b1eca #aaf #dbc ,aug4 #bd4 ,still drier #dbh #a1ggf #b1edd #id #caa ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,,second ,,cutting ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,july #g4 ,budding #ccd #feg #ceg #ej #aig ,july #bj4 ,medium bloom #eai #a1adj #a1jca #gh #cad ,aug4 #c4 ,full flower #eea #a1ebi #a1caf #ha #cbc ,aug4 #bd4 ,leaves dry #chh #a1dhd #a1cbi #ha #ccc ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,,third ,,cutting ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,aug4 #ag #ach #cag #aee #ag #he ,aug4 #ca #cbb #geg #fcd #cc #baa ,sept4 #ad #bih #icd #hah #dc #bad ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,,comparative ,,crop ,,and ,,feeding ,,values ,the following is another table showing the average yield of alfalfa as compared with some of the more common fodder crops and hays1 as found in ,new ,jersey station ,bulletin ,no4 #adh4 ---------------------------------------- ------- ,total ,yield ,dry ,total ,green ,forage ,matter ,protein per acre per acreper acre ---------------------------------------- ------- ,pounds ,pounds,pounds ,alfalfa #cf1edj #h1beh #b1bad ,corn 7entire plant7 #bd1jjj #e1jdj #djh ,red clover #ad1jjj #d1jhh #faf ,barnyard millet #af1jjj #d1jjj #chd ,crimson clover #ad1jjj #b1fgd #dcd ,cowpeas #af1jjj #b1fbd #chd ,oats and peas #ad1jjj #b1ajg #cfc ---------------------------------------- ------- ,dry ,total ,matter ,protein ---------------------------------------- -------- ,pounds,pounds #a ton alfalfa hay contains #a1hji #bfe #a red clover hay contains #a1fid #bdf #a oats and peas contains #a1cge #age #a timothy contains #a1gcf #aah #a wheat bran contains #a1gfb #cjh #a wheat middlings contains #a1geh #cab #a rye bran contains #a1gfh #bid #a oats contains #a1ghj #bcf #a rice meal contains #a1gif #bdj #a buckwheat bran contains #a1gij #bdh ---------------------------------------- -------- ,at the ,colorado station 7,bul4 ,no4 #bf7 ,prof4 ,w4 ,w4 ,cooke compared an acre of dent 7,golden ,beauty7 corn1 planted ,may #af and harvested ,september #ba1 with returns from an acre of alfalfa on an adjoining plat1 three years seeded4 ,the corn crop was a fair one1 and including ears and stalks weighed #ae1ejj pounds1 containing #ce4fb per cent or #eeci pounds of dry matter4 ,the alfalfa yielded three cuttings of hay weighing respectively #dfjj1 #ccej and #cbej pounds1 or #e4f tons1 containing #aj1cjd pounds of dry matter4 ,but1 as ,professor ,cooke says1 this is not quite a fair comparison1 for a pound of dry matter from the corn crop is more digestible and has a higher feeding value than an equal amount from the alfalfa4 ,the corn crop contained #cfje pounds of digestible feeding material1 while the alfalfa crop contained #efaa pounds1 or a little more than half as much again4 ,the corn crop per acre in feeding value was equivalent to three and a half tons of alfalfa hay4 ,the total digestible nutrients of the two crops are presented in the following table3 ---------------------------------------- ------------- ,,total ,,digestible -------------------------------- ,corn ,alfalfa ,corn ,alfalfa ---------------------------------------- ----------- ,pounds,pounds,pounds,pounds ,dry matter #e1eci #aj1cjd #c1fje #e1faa ,albuminoids #dje #a1fjb #bif #a1aih ,starch1 sugar1 etc4 #c1bfc #d1ghb #b1ahf #c1aad ,fiber #a1dgb #b1hjj #a1jfj #a1aih ,fat 7ether extract7 #hd #bdf #fc #aja ,ash #cae #hbi 4444 4444 ---------------------------------------- ----------- ,,comparative ,,values ,,of ,,alfalfa ,,hay ,,and ,,other ,,feed ,,stuffs ,,for ,,protein ---------------------------------------- --------------------- ,value per ton when prairie hay is worth per ton-- ,feedstuff #b4jj #c4jj #d4jj ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,alfalfa hay 7average7 #f4je #i4jh #ab4aa ,red clover hay #c4hh #e4hb #g4gg ,orchard-grass hay #b4gd #d4aa #e4dh ,millet hay #b4eg #c4he #e4ad ,timothy hay #a4fe #b4dh #c4ca ,sorghum hay #a4cg #b4je #b4gd ,corn-fodder 7stover7 #a4ad #a4ga #b4bh ,oat straw 4#ia #a4cg #a4hb ,wheat straw 4#de 4#fh 4#ia ,sugar beets 4#fb 4#id #a4be ,mangel-wurzels 4#eg 4#he #a4ad ,alfalfa hay containing #ab4i per cent digestible protein #g4cf #aa4je #ad4gc ,wheat bran #g4jb #aj4ec #ad4jd ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,it is seen that the alfalfa yielded nearly twice as many pounds of dry matter as the corn1 with the digestible nutrients far in the lead1 and the protein of the alfalfa was three times that of the corn4 ,,the ,,balanced ,,ration ,no feeder can learn to use alfalfa1 or in fact any forage or grain1 in the most economical way until he understands somewhat the compounding of a balanced ration4 ,all foodstuffs for either man or beast are1 as already stated1 made up of three classes of substances--namely1 protein or proteids1 carbohydrates and fats4 ,the animal's digestive and assimilative organs are so constructed that it cannot use these three classes of substances interchangeably2 in other words1 an animal fed wholly upon any one of these three would be in process of gradual starvation4 ,given in the proportions needed to best supply the vital organs of the body1 these substances become the sustenance for animal life and growth4 ,the protein builds up the brain1 nerves1 muscles and other tissues in which the life force is active1 and without protein there would be no life4 ,to balance a ration for domestic animals is to so adjust the quantity of digestible proteids1 fats and carbohydrates it contains that the animal economy may use each without waste4 ,the balanced ration means an economical ration1 allowing the digestive organs to work at their highest efficiency2 an unbalanced ration is one in which one of the three classes of food substances is in excess1 or is deficient4 ,fed such a ration1 the animal retaliates upon its owner by failure to digest the excess1 which is worse than wasted2 for the feeding of any class of substances in excess adds to the labor of the digestive organs and reduces their efficiency4 ,,making ,a ,,balanced ,,ration ,in ,press ,bulletin ,no4 #ab1 from the ,kansas station1 the following is given to illustrate somewhat how a balanced ration would differ from others into which consideration of a proper balance had not entered3 8,there are three important groups of substances in feeds--protein1 carbohydrates1 and fat4 ,protein includes all materials in feeds which contain nitrogen4 ,it enters into the composition of milk1 blood1 muscle1 hair and the brain and nerves2 is necessary in the formation of these1 and no other substance can take its place4 ,protein is also used in the body in producing heat1 energy and fat4 ,carbohydrates include the fiber of feeds1 the sugars1 starch1 and gums1 and furnish heat1 energy and fat in the body4 ,carbohydrates and fat can take each other's places1 one pound of fat being worth #b4b pounds of carbohydrates for production of heat in the body4 8,extended investigations have shown that to obtain the best results1 feed should be given which will furnish these materials in the following proportions3 8,dairy cow--protein1 #b pounds2 carbohydrates1 #ab pounds2 fat1 pound4 8,fattening steer--protein1 #b to #c pounds2 carbohydrates1 #ae pounds2 fat1 to pound4 8,growing cattle--protein1 #d pounds2 carbohydrates1 #ac pounds2 fat1 #b pounds4 8,for a young animal 7cattle7 gradually decrease the proportion of protein until at the age of two years the proportions are similar to those for the fattening steer1 but less in quantity4 ,a pig two to three months old needs feeds containing seven and one-half pounds of protein to each thirty pounds of carbohydrates and fat1 while a year-old pig needs seven and one-half pounds of protein to each forty-eight pounds of carbohydrates and fat4 ,feeds containing a greater proportion of protein than called for by these standards can be fed1 because protein can take the place of the other materials4 ,carbohydrates and fat cannot take the place of protein1 however1 and no matter in how large quantities they may be fed1 if protein is lacking1 the growth or gain will be less4 8,the weak point in feeding is that the average rations are greatly deficient in protein1 and have too much carbohydrates and fat4 ,every feeder knows that good pasturage produces rapid growth1 good gains1 and abundant milk yields4 ,it furnishes nutriment in the proportion of three pounds of protein1 twelve pounds of carbohydrates1 and one-half pound of fat4 ,the proportions in some of our feeds in pounds per #ajj pounds of feed1 are as follows3 ------------------------------- ,carbo- ,proteinhydrates ,fat ------------------------------- ,corn #g4h #ff4g #a4f ,kafir-corn #g4h #eg4a #b4g ,prairie hay #c4e #da4h #a4d ,corn fodder #b4j #cc4b #j4f ,sorghum hay #b4d #dj4f #a4b ------------------------------- 8,it will be seen that none of these contain a sufficient proportion of protein to secure best results1 and all combinations of these feeds will have the same defect4 8,some feeds have too great a proportion of protein to be fed alone1 as shown below1 the figures indicating pounds per #ajj pounds of feed3 -------------------------------------- ,carbo- ,proteinhydrates ,fat -------------------------------------- ,alfalfa hay #aj4f #cg4c #a4d ,gluten-meal #ca4a #dc4i #d4h ,linseed-oil meal #bh4h #cb4h #g4a ,cottonseed-meal #cg4j #af4e #ab4f ,soy-beans #ci4f #bb4c #ad4d -------------------------------------- 8,making a balanced ration is combining the feeds deficient in protein with those having an excess of it1 to make a ration which will contain the right proportions for the animals fed40 ,,variations ,,in ,,analysis ,variations in the foregoing tables would indicate that the analysis is likely to vary with the product of different soils and different cultivations4 ,in spite of variations it may be readily seen that alfalfa with its high protein value makes a very effective and economical balance for corn for heavy feeding4 ,when it is taken into consideration that this forage so rich in protein can be raised at home1 and that its growing is at the same time enriching the soil1 the conclusion is easy that alfalfa hay may profitably constitute a part of all the fattening operations2 it is also clear that the economical way to market alfalfa is through the farm's live stock4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,alfalfa in ,beef-,making ,the cattle feeder is not much given to sentiment and cares less for the beauty of the purple flowers of the alfalfa than he does for the best method of converting those purple flowers and the accompanying foliage into marketable beef4 ,an accepted but unwritten rule of cornfeeding is that #ajjj pounds of grain with ordinary forage will produce #ajj pounds of gain1 under normal conditions4 ,,some ,,feeding ,,tests ,the ,kansas station in a careful feeding test of #aec days produced #ajj pounds of gain with #gah pounds of grain by using alfalfa hay for roughness4 ,this test also gave the following table of gain in values1 from the use of different feeds in the same given time3 ,corn and alfalfa hay #aji4gd ,corn and prairie hay #ef4if ,corn and sorghum hay #bg4ji ,corn and oat straw #dc4bh ,barley and alfalfa hay #eg4af ,the ,utah station after a feeding test published the statement that to produce #gje4fa pounds of beef it required3 ,of alfalfa hay #g1ahb pounds ,of timothy hay #i1ege ,of red clover hay #aa1ifg ,of shredded corn fodder #aj1jhc ,illustration3 ,kansas ,farmer ,viewing ,one of ,his ,alfalfa ,fields ,showing ten days' growth after first cutting in #aijg ,illustration3 ,harvesting ,alfalfa in ,ohio ,at this station steers made a most rapid gain when fed upon early cut alfalfa hay1 either with or without an accompanying ration of grain4 8,by early cut hay was meant hay cut just before bloom4 ,the gain upon this early cut alfalfa hay was one-third more than that upon hay cut when in full bloom or later40 ,the ,utah station also reports a cattle feeding test 7,bul4 ,no4 #fa7 in which #ajj pounds of gain from feeding alfalfa hay cost #c4gf2 from timothy1 #d4ga1 and from corn fodder1 #f4ba4 ,at the ,nebraska station ,prof4 ,howard ,r4 ,smith 7,buls4 #he and #ij7 fed #ej yearling and #ej two-year-old grade steers in lots of ten for six months1 each lot of each fifty having rations different from the others1 and the table herewith shows the average cost per pound of gain made by each steer of each lot of yearlings3 ,lot fed corn and prairie hay #h4bg cents corn #ij per cent1 oil meal #aj per cent1 and prairie hay #f4hb corn #ij per cent1 oil meal #aj per cent1 and corn stover #f4ji corn #ij per cent1 oil meal #aj per cent1 and sorghum hay #g4jj corn and alfalfa hay #f4jd ,below is shown the cost under similar conditions with the two-year-olds1 7the cost of the corn and oil meal fed them having been slightly greater than that fed the yearlings73 ,lot fed corn and prairie hay #h4bc cents corn #ij per cent1 oil meal #aj per cent1 and prairie hay #h4bg corn #ij per cent1 oil meal #aj per cent1 and corn stover #f4di corn #ij per cent1 oil meal #aj per cent1 and sorghum hay #g4hg corn and alfalfa hay #f4hi ,among the deductions from these experiments1 ,professor ,smith records the following1 bearing upon the use of alfalfa3 8,alfalfa is much superior to prairie hay when the grain consists of corn alone4 ,it also proved to be a cheaper source of protein than oil meal4 ,the returns on the cattle fed alfalfa hay1 were the alfalfa figured at #aa4ad per ton1 would have been as great as the returns on prairie hay at #f per ton1 with corn as the grain ration at #ci cents per bushel4 ,in comparison with prairie hay at #f when oil meal worth #bh per ton was a part of the grain ration1 the alfalfa returned a value of #h4bh per ton4 7,in these experiments the cost of all alfalfa hay and all prairie hay was figured at the one price of #f per ton4--,author47 8,bright1 well-cured corn stover fed with an equal weight of alfalfa1 the grain consisting of corn alone1 gave slightly larger gains than corn and alfalfa1 and proved the most economical ration in the experiment4 ,the addition of corn stover may have improved1 to some extent1 the corn and alfalfa ration by furnishing greater variety1 and by its tendency to check scours sometimes caused by alfalfa4 ,the stover fed with alfalfa returned a value of #d4eg per ton in comparison with alfalfa at #f per ton as the sole roughness4 8,by feeding alfalfa hay1 which is a protein-rich roughness1 extremely palatable and readily masticated1 in place of prairie hay with corn alone1 #ad per cent less grain was required for each pound of gain on two-year-olds and #bg per cent less on yearlings4 8,alfalfa hay1 fed once per day in connection with corn and well-cured cornstalks1 furnished sufficient protein for two-year-olds to make the three foods a combination producing heavy and very economical gains--more economical than any other ration in the experiment4 8,alfalfa is pronouncedly superior to prairie hay for beef production1 and the more rapid the extension of the area of land devoted to the production of alfalfa1 supplanting the less valuable and lower yielding native hay1 the more rapid will be the production of wealth from our soil40 ,one authority who has made a study of such problems says1 8steers can be fattened on one-third less corn with alfalfa for roughness than without40 ,w4 ,h4 ,jordan1 director of the ,new ,york 7,geneva7 experiment station says3 8,probably no species of forage are known that are more economical sources of high-class cattle food than alfalfa and corn1 and if in the realms of stock raising corn is king1 alfalfa is queen40 ,,feeding ,,too ,,much ,,alfalfa ,many feeders make the mistake of feeding too much alfalfa hay to young steers grained heavily on corn4 ,careful tests seem to prove that cattle on a heavy feed of corn1 corn meal1 ,kafir-corn or ,kafir-corn meal gain as much with #ae or #bj pounds of alfalfa hay per day as by having #ce pounds1 the very common quantity in feeding4 ,it is also reported by experienced feeders that steers over three years old may be fattened on alfalfa with a moderate feed of corn1 while for younger steers the heavy feed should be corn with #ae to #be pounds of alfalfa hay per day4 ,a ,colorado feeder put a lot of steers nearly four years old on a daily ration of ten pounds of corn chop and fifteen pounds of alfalfa hay for #ajj days4 ,the gain was surprising and the steers weighed on the ,denver market about #adcj pounds per head4 ,a feeder in ,osborne county1 ,kansas1 reported to the author the following3 8,began feeding #bb two-year-old steers on ,february #crd1 averaging #ida pounds in weight4 ,gave them no feed but alfalfa hay until ,march #dth4 ,from ,march #dth until ,may #ast fed all the alfalfa they wanted and #bdc bushels of corn chop1 when they weighed out at an average gain of #bei pounds each in #hf days1 or three pounds per day on a feed of #aa bushels of corn chop and plenty of alfalfa hay per steer40 ,western feeders generally claim to be able to put fat cattle on the market from #bj to #cj per cent cheaper with alfalfa as the balance than on corn alone1 or with corn and bran or any purchased protein foods4 ,the cheapest beef-making in the ,west is the raising of calves on alfalfa1 and at #bj to #bd months fattening them by a heavy feeding of corn and alfalfa hay for #ajj days4 ,cattle carried to #ajjj to #abjj pounds on alfalfa1 and then finished by strong feeding on corn with alfalfa hay for fifty to sixty days1 make beef of a choice quality at a low cost4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,alfalfa and the ,dairy ,,making ,a ,,margin ,the most enthusiastic advocates of alfalfa are dairymen4 ,the market price of milk is quite well fixed and the price of butterfat at the creameries remains1 in the different seasons1 pretty much the same year by year4 ,hence1 the problem of increasing his financial returns must depend upon the dairyman's being able to increase the volume of his product or to decrease the cost1 or both4 ,if he is selling butterfat at a profit of five cents and he cannot force the price any higher1 it is the sensible thing to decrease the cost per pound and thereby enlarge his profit4 ,the dairyman who buys all his feed has but little margin4 ,to raise enough clover calls for considerable land4 ,alfalfa will yield a large bulk of excellent feed from a few acres of well treated land4 ,for profit he must raise more feedstuff and buy less4 ,the ,kansas station reported that with common scrub cows fed on alfalfa hay and ,kafir corn meal it was possible to produce butterfat at a cost of seven cents a pound4 ,,some ,,milking ,,test ,,valuations ,the ,new ,jersey station as a result of a very painstaking milking test reported3 7#a7 ,in a ration where alfalfa hay was tested against wheat bran and dried brewers' grain the saving in the cost of milk was #ab4g cents per hundred1 and #b4c cents per pound of butter when alfalfa hay was used4 ,this saving means a great deal when it is considered that the alfalfa is raised and not purchased4 7#b7 ,that the milk value of one acre of alfalfa was #gd4 ,a ,kansas dairyman is reported to have kept ten cows through one summer on the alfalfa cut daily from a patch containing four square rods less than two acres4 ,some dairymen believe that there is a great saving in the alfalfa hay by cutting it into two-inch lengths1 and feeding it dry4 ,it is also believed that it will always be a matter of economy to feed with the alfalfa1 green or as hay1 a small ration of carbonaceous food1 even corn-stover serving such a purpose4 ,former ,governor ,hoard1 editor of ,hoard's ,dairyman1 says that with alfalfa hay at #aj and bran at #bj per ton there is a saving1 by using alfalfa1 of #b4hj for every #ajj pounds of butter made1 and a saving of #ai4h cents for every #ajj pounds of milk4 ,in a section of ,new ,york where alfalfa has been quite generally introduced1 dairymen claim an increase in their profits of #ae to #cj per cent by its use1 besides the enrichment of their farms for other crops4 ,prof4 ,d4 ,h4 ,otis1 telling of experiments with the dairy herd at the ,kansas agricultural college1 states that1 8it is usually recommended to feed a cow all the rough feed she will eat1 and then balance up the ration with grain4 ,the experience at the college indicates that much rough feed is wasted in careless feeding4 ,the cow will eat the best first1 and1 if given too much1 will pick the most desirable morsels1 leaving what might be called passably good1 which too frequently is treated as waste and thrown under foot4 ,no more hay should be given an animal than it will eat up clean4 ,this refers to first-class quality1 however1 as a cow could not be expected to eat poor hay clean4 8,in feeding the rough feeds1 the following table has been used by the college as a guide3 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,,roughness4--,value per ton when alfalfa is worth #a4jj per ton ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,total ,protein ,total ,protein nutri- nutri- nutri- nutri- ,,feed ents ents ,,feed ents ents ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,,dry ,,roughness ,,green ,,roughness ,alfalfa #a4jj #a4jj ,alfalfa #j4cd #j4cg ,corn-fodder 4#cb 4#ai ,corn silage 4#ac 4#ab ,cowpeas 4#ig #a4jb ,fodder corn 4#ad 4#ji ,fodder ,corn 4#dj 4#bd ,pasture grasses 4#jc 4#bd ,millet 4#fd 4#db ,sorghum fodder 4#ab 4#jf ,oat hay 4#ei 4#da ,soy-beans 4#bh 4#cj ,oat straw 4#cc 4#ae ,orchard-grass 4#fj 4#de ,,roots ,,and ,,tubers ,prairie hay 4#ea 4#cc ,mangels 4#aj 4#ji ,red clover 4#gj 4#fd ,sugar-beets 4#ad 4#aj ,sorghum 4#dc 4#bc ,turnips 4#aa 4#jh ,soy-beans 4#ih #a4jb ,mixed hay 4#fg 4#ef ,timothy 4#dg 4#bg ,wheat straw 4#be 4#jh ---------------------------------------- -------------------- 8,students working with the dairy herd were anxious to have the cows make the best possible yields1 and were tempted to give all the good alfalfa hay the cows would eat4 ,when we discovered the alfalfa hay going too rapidly we looked for the cause and found that the dairy cows had consumed an average of forty-three pounds per head daily1 besides fifteen pounds of ,kafir corn fodder4 ,the quantity of alfalfa was reduced to thirty-three pounds and the ,kafir-corn fodder to three and one-half pounds daily per cow1 and we found that the daily yield of milk was slightly increased4 ,the quality of the hay was the same in both instances4 ,in the latter case it was eaten up clean1 while in the former considerable was hauled away and fed to dry cows4 ,later records show a still greater reduction in the allowance of alfalfa without decreasing the flow of milk4 ,this experience shows some of the leaks that may take place in feeding roughness1 especially when those feeds are appetizing1 like alfalfa and red clover4 8,for ease of calculation the roughness is figured on the basis of alfalfa hay selling for one dollar per ton4 ,when alfalfa is worth six dollars per ton the other rough feeds are worth six times the amount indicated in the table2 when alfalfa is worth eight dollars per ton the other feeds are worth eight times as much1 and so on4 ,usually we find that we can give practically all the rough feed that the cows can eat1 although1 as indicated above1 with a good quality of alfalfa or clover hay more may be eaten than will be consumed at a profit4 ,at this writing alfalfa hay is selling in ,manhattan at seven dollars per ton4 ,this would make the feeding values of the other rough feeds worth seven times the amount indicated in the table4 ,red clover1 for instance1 would be worth seven times seventy cents or #d4ij per ton2 prairie hay would be worth #c4eg per ton2 and millet hay would be worth #d4dh per ton4 ,if the problem was to select the most economical roughness1 we would select alfalfa at seven dollars per ton1 in preference to red clover at six dollars per ton1 or prairie hay at four dollars per ton1 or millet at five dollars per ton4 ,knowing the cost of these different rough feeds and having this table before him1 a feeder can tell which is the most economical feed to use4 ,it will be noticed that the table is divided into two parts1 the first part giving the value of the total nutrients1 and the second one the value of the protein nutrients4 ,it frequently happens that we have plenty of carbohydrates and fat1 but that we are lacking in protein4 ,in this case we would consult the #8protein nutrients' column in order to determine what feed to buy in order to furnish the protein most economically4 ,if it be carbohydrates and fat as well as protein that is required1 as was the condition in the dry year of #aija1 then we should take the total nutrients' column4 ,when it is possible to get a rough feed containing a large amount of protein1 we find that in feeding a liberal allowance of roughness the grain can be reduced4 ,hence1 the importance of providing roughness rich in protein1 like alfalfa40 ,,selling ,,farm ,,products ,,through ,,the ,,cow ,no other branch of agriculture presents more advantages than dairying--disposing of the products of the farm as milk and butterfat4 ,when the latter may be sold to creamery stations and the skim milk fed to calves and pigs along with alfalfa the profits are greater than from almost any other form of agriculture4 ,no other business tends so rapidly to build up the fertility of the farm1 and1 when judiciously conducted1 no other branch of farming yields more satisfactory financial returns4 ,raising and feeding alfalfa will add from #ae to #cj per cent to the profits of dairying over the use of any other feedstuff that may be raised or bought4 ,the profit problem for the dairyman is constantly to find the feed that will decrease the cost of his production4 ,the diagram below1 prepared by the editor of the ,nebraska ,farmer1 is to 8represent the digestible protein or milk property contained in different kinds of roughness4 ,points represent the decimals of a pound1 and the bars are an exact representation of the superiority of one kind of food over another for the production of milk4 ,each bar represents #aj pounds of roughness4 ,the approximate yield is also given per acre30 ,approximate ,yield ,per ,acre4 ,corn ,stover #f to #h ,tons #ag ,points ------------- ,drilled ,corn ,fodder #aj to #ad ,tons #be ,points ------------------- ,timothy ,hay #b ,tons #bh ,points -------------------------- ,prairie ,hay #b ,tons #cj ,points -------------------------------- ,millet ,hay #c ,tons #cb ,points --------------------------------------- ,oat ,hay #c to #d ,tons #dc ,points ---------------------------------------- ----- ,red ,top #b ,tons #dh ,points ---------------------------------------- ----------- ,red ,clover #b ,tons #fh ,points ---------------------------------------- ------------------ ,alsike #c ,tons #hd ,points ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ,alfalfa #f to #h ,tons #aaj ,points ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ,a4 ,s4 ,hitchcock cites as an illustration of feeding alfalfa alone1 the case of the dairy farms in the vicinity of ,moneta1 ,cal41 where the stock are ordinarily fed no other ration than alfalfa4 ,as alfalfa is not a balanced ration1 a number of local dairymen tried to replace a part of the alfalfa by sorghum1 thus giving a more nearly balanced ration4 ,the cows1 however1 did not give as much milk upon this combination as upon pure alfalfa4 8,this result may be assigned to the fact that the cattle were unable to consume a sufficient quantity of the mixture to produce the same results as the alfalfa alone4 ,these dairymen find they can secure a larger yield by feeding a little grain2 but the increased yield does not pay for the grain1 which is high priced in this locality40 ,,an ,,essential ,,in ,,milk ,,production ,oscar ,erf1 professor of dairying at the ,kansas experiment station1 writing for this volume1 says3 8,alfalfa is quite indispensable in successful dairy operations1 being one of the cheapest sources of protein1 that most essential compound in feeds for milk production4 ,the ,kansas station found that for milk #a pounds of well-leaved alfalfa hay1 containing a high per cent of protein1 is equal in feeding value to a pound of bran4 ,in case the alfalfa is of a stemmy nature it requires #a pounds to equal the feeding value of a pound of bran4 ,alfalfa hay is worth from #d to #g per ton on the farm1 while bran costs from #ad to #bj per ton1 hence it is far more economical to feed the alfalfa hay4 8,like other hays alfalfa varies in composition according to the time of cutting1 the soil on which it grows1 and its per cent of leaves4 ,it has been found that three-fourths of a pound of alfalfa hay is equal in feeding value to a pound of clover hay of equal brightness and quality4 ,a good stand of clover yields about #b tons per acre per year1 while a good stand of alfalfa yields about #e tons per acre per year4 ,hence1 on an acre of land1 #aajj pounds of protein can be produced by raising alfalfa while only #cdj pounds can be produced by growing clover1 the protein in the alfalfa and that in the clover being equally digestible4 ,this comparison is chosen from the fact that clover is the next cheaper source of protein found on the farm4 8,at the ,kansas station the following experiment was conducted1 and illustrates the low cost of a ration including alfalfa hay for roughness as compared with a ration in which prairie hay was used4 ,the experiment was with ten cows4 ,the first ration consisted of #ba pounds of alfalfa hay and #i pounds of corn4 ,while the cows were on this ration each produced an average #bf pounds of milk per day1 the milk containing #c4i per cent of butterfat4 ,to formulate a ration from prairie hay and bran which had the same amount of nutrients1 we were obliged to feed #ai pounds of bran and #ae of hay4 ,fed on this each cow produced only #bd pounds of milk per day1 containing #d per cent of butterfat4 ,the #ba pounds of alfalfa hay at #g per ton1 which is rather a high estimate1 and #i pounds of corn at #gj cents per hundred weight cost #ac4f cents per day4 ,at this rate it cost #c cents to produce a gallon of milk1 or approximately #ac4e cents for a pound of butterfat4 ,estimating bran at #af per ton and prairie hay at #e per ton1 the cost of the second ration was #ah4ie cents per day1 and milk approximately #g cents per gallon1 making the butterfat worth #ai4g cents per pound4 8,the following two tables show the difference in cost between a ration in which alfalfa is used for part of the roughness and one which contains no alfalfa but has the same amount of digestible nutrients3 ,alfalfa hay #ai lbs at #g4jj per ton 4#jff ,corn #g lbs at 4#gj per cwt 4#jdi ,bran #b lbs at #ah4jj per ton 4#jbbe ------- 4#acge ,sorghum hay #aj lbs at #c4ej per ton 4#jage ,prairie hay #ab lbs at #f4jj per ton 4#jcf ,ground wheat #h lbs at 4#hj per bu 4#ajff ,cottonseed meal #c lbs at #bd4jj per ton 4#jcf ------- 4#aifa 8,as shown by the table a gain of #e4hf cents is made by feeding the alfalfa4 ,being a proteinaceous feed it can to a great extent be substituted for cottonseed meal1 linseed meal or gluten meal1 and will entirely substitute other leguminous hays and forages1 such as soy bean hay1 cowpea hay1 clover hay and vetch hay1 any one of which is more expensive1 for nutrients contained1 than alfalfa hay4 8,the ,kansas station has found it practicable1 from results obtained in the past three years1 to ensile green alfalfa for dairy cows4 ,this is superior to dry alfalfa1 owing to its succulent nature4 ,in the eastern part of the ,united ,states ensiling alfalfa has another advantage in that all cuttings can be harvested in perfect condition4 ,as a rule the first cutting throughout this whole territory is liable to be damaged more or less by rains4 ,by putting the green alfalfa into a well constructed silo this loss can be obviated and the full value retained4 ,for example3 a man has #dj acres of alfalfa1 from which he harvests for the first crop #a tons per acre4 ,estimating the price of good1 clean alfalfa hay at #g a ton1 this would be worth #dbj4 ,should the hay be damaged by rain its value would be greatly reduced and1 as has been the case for many years1 such damaged hay could be purchased for #b or less per ton4 ,accordingly this damaged hay would be worth #abj4 ,the loss caused by rain would therefore be #cjj4 ,put into the silo this first cutting would be equal in value to the best bright hay4 8,the cost of a #ajj-ton silo is #bej1 hence the owner could not only save the first cutting1 but money besides4 ,furthermore1 it is not infrequently the case that alfalfa of the first cutting is of a stemmy nature1 and it has been estimated that fully #bh per cent of such hay is wasted when fed to cows1 as they do not eat the coarse stems4 ,this loss can be entirely eliminated by the siloing1 for cows will readily eat the stems as silage4 8,the value of alfalfa silage in influencing the milk flow was indicated when a ration was fed to sixteen cows1 in which #ab pounds of alfalfa hay1 #bj pounds of corn silage1 #e pounds of bran and #d pounds of corn meal were used2 this ration was afterward changed by substituting alfalfa silage for the corn silage1 and at the same time the bran was reduced to #a pound1 and the corn increased #a pound4 ,by these changes the milk was increased #aj per cent4 8,with butterfat worth #bc cents a pound the value of a ton of alfalfa silage has been estimated at approximately #h4 ,this silage solves the problem of feeding cows economically in summer1 as well as in winter1 under a system of intensive farming40 ,w4 ,j4 ,fraser1 chief in dairy husbandry at the ,university of ,illinois1 says3 8,corn silage and alfalfa1 two of the best feeds for dairy cows1 make practically a complete or balanced ration in themselves4 ,several years' experience in supplying the university dairy herd with various kinds of soiling crops in midsummer has led to this high recommendation of corn silage and alfalfa40 ,alfalfa hay has much the same laxative effect as ,june pasture4 ,an ,elgin1 ,ill41 dairyman1 with fifty cows1 says3 8,every month ,i feed alfalfa in winter gives me a month in which ,i have practically pasture conditions4 ,the cows show the pasture-effect in the glossy condition of their hair and in the yield of milk1 and have never before looked quite so well40 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,alfalfa for ,swine ,,hogs ,,will ,,eat ,,hay ,in the preceding chapter it was stated that alfalfa is a valuable pasture or soiling crop for pigs4 ,it is equally true that they will actually eat alfalfa hay4 ,a hog is not usually ranked as a hay-eating animal but an exception must be made as to his eating alfalfa hay4 ,as a pasture or soiling crop for sows and young pigs1 alfalfa proves a wonderfully helpful ration for milk-making in the sow and for growth in the pigs4 ,experiments have shown that pigs make better growth when the dam is fed considerable alfalfa than those from sows fed the best of commercial rations1 but with no alfalfa4 ,given two sets of pigs1 one fed clover1 rape and soaked corn and the other fed only alfalfa forage1 the latter seemed to grow the more rapidly4 ,for brood sows it is a most valuable food1 either as hay1 a soiling crop1 or as pasture4 ,the litters of such sows are generally large and vigorous and the dams have a strong flow of nutritious milk4 ,alfalfa meal in slop may be used with profit where the hay is not to be obtained4 ,it is also claimed that sows fed on alfalfa during pregnancy will not devour their young1 its mineral elements seeming to satisfy the appetite of the sow1 while contributing to the fetal development of the pigs4 ,illustration3 ,five-year-old ,alfalfa at the time of its third cutting4 ,september #h1 and its root development4 ,grown at ,manhattan1 ,kansas1 on upland prairie having a heavy clay subsoil ,illustration3 ,showing ,advantage of ,early ,fall ,sowing ,beginning on the left the seed was sown ,august #ai1 ,september #ae and ,october #a respectively4 ,all were dug up ,april #ac of the following spring4 ,nebraska ,experiment ,station ,bulletin #hd ,on a farm of ,governor ,hoard1 in ,wisconsin1 all the brood sows have for several years been wintered on alfalfa hay of the third cutting1 and their drink1 without any grain until the last two weeks of gestation4 ,mr4 ,hoard says the object was to give the sows a food that should keep them in a non-feverish state and furnish protein sufficient to build the bodies of the forthcoming pigs4 7,their 8drink0 was the skim milk from the dairy47 8,it was a matter of experiment at first1 our only guide being what knowledge and reason we could exercise from what we knew1 or thought we knew1 of the philosophy of gestation4 ,the experiment proved to be a success from the first4 ,the sows went through their work in fine condition1 giving milk abundantly4 ,the pigs came with splendid vitality1 thus reducing our losses from early death fully #cj per cent over what they had previously been4 ,the hay is fed dry and is thrown into the pen on the feeding floor without any cutting or chaffing whatever4 ,we have sometimes thought we would try the experiment of cutting it into half-inch lengths and moistening it4 ,possibly it would take less hay in this way4 ,the sows keep in good flesh1 fully as much so as we like40 ,a ,finney county1 ,kansas1 farmer reports having pastured #cj pigs on one acre of alfalfa from ,may #ast to ,september #ast1 when they weighed #ajj pounds each and were in fine condition for fattening4 ,another ,kansas farmer reports keeping #ajj pigs from about the middle of ,april to ,september on five acres of alfalfa pasture4 ,a little grain during the last two months would have gained him many pounds of pork4 ,many alfalfa raising pig-growers insist that their pigs can be maintained from ,may to ,october on alfalfa for one-half what it would cost for almost any other feed4 ,the ,utah station found that young shoats gained one-third of a pound a day on alfalfa pasture without grain4 ,but the station found also that the gain was not so great in older hogs4 ,a ,wisconsin dairyman reported that he kept nine sows all winter and spring on alfalfa hay and skim milk1 without any grain1 and raised from them #ge pigs1 all healthy and vigorous4 ,the ,colorado station considers that a ration of three-fourths corn and one-fourth alfalfa hay is the best for fattening hogs for market1 but for young hogs not ready for fattening the proportions should be reversed4 ,the station does not recommend grinding alfalfa hay for hogs1 probably on the theory that the hog's time is not worth much at best4 ,a ,,valuable ,,feeding ,,test ,the ,kansas station in the fall of #ahih made a series of experiments of interest to feeders everywhere4 ,the test was to determine the value of alfalfa hay fed to fattening hogs that were receiving all the grain they would eat4 ,the results are related here in the language of the bulletin3 8,the hogs fed in this experiment were bought of farmers1 and averaged in weight #abe pounds each4 ,they were placed in lots of ten each1 in large pens1 having for shelter some sheds open to the south4 ,the alfalfa hay used was of the best quality1 carefully cured4 ,blackhulled ,white ,kafir-corn was the grain used1 the hogs being fed all they would eat without waste4 ,the hay was fed dry in forkfuls in a large flat trough4 ,the pigs were given more than they could eat1 and they picked out the leaves and finer stems1 rejecting the coarser stems4 ,one lot of hogs was fed ,kafir-corn meal dry and alfalfa hay2 one lot whole ,kafir-corn dry2 one lot ,kafir-corn meal dry1 and one lot ,kafir-corn meal wet4 8,the experiment began on ,november #bd and lasted nine weeks4 ,by that time the alfalfa-fed hogs became well fattened1 and were marketed4 ,we estimated that it would require four to five weeks additional feeding1 with ordinary weather1 to get the hogs that were fed grain alone into good marketable condition4 8,the gain in nine weeks from the different methods of feeding were as follows3 ,gains per hog in pounds ,kafir-corn meal dry and alfalfa hay #ij4i ,kafir-corn whole #ei4d ,kafir-corn meal fed dry #eb4d ,kafir-corn meal fed wet #fc4c 8,the gain from feeding alfalfa hay with ,kafir-corn meal fed dry1 over the meal alone fed dry1 is more than #gc per cent4 8,the gains per bushel of feed were as follows3 ,pounds ,kafir-corn meal dry and #g4hc pounds alfalfa hay #aj4hh ,kafir-corn whole #h4ef ,kafir-corn meal fed dry #g4dh ,kafir-corn meal fed wet #h4ji 8,ten hogs in nine weeks were fed #fef pounds of alfalfa hay2 and as shown above1 for each #g4hc pounds of alfalfa hay fed with the dry ,kafir-corn meal1 the hogs gained #c4d pounds over those having dry ,kafir-corn meal alone--a gain of #hfh pounds of pork per ton of alfalfa hay4 ,these results are not due to the feeding value of the alfalfa alone1 but also to its influence in aiding the hogs to better digest the ,kafir-corn4 ,the alfalfa hay also gave a variety to the ration1 making it more appetizing and inducing the hogs to eat more grain4 ,the ten hogs having grain alone ate #chhe pounds of dry ,kafir-corn meal1 while the ten hogs having hay and grain ate #dfgi pounds of the ,kafir-corn meal and #fef pounds of alfalfa hay4 ,the hay-fed hogs ate more grain and gained more for each bushel eaten4 8,in a former experiment pigs were pastured through the summer on alfalfa with a light feeding of corn4 ,after deducting the probable gain from the corn1 the gain per acre from the alfalfa pasture was #ggf pounds of pork4 8,these facts indicate that to produce pork most cheaply the ,kansas farmer must have alfalfa pasture in summer and alfalfa hay in winter40 ,the ,kansas station also found in another test that one acre of alfalfa produced pork worth #bj4cj1 while one acre of rape produced pork worth #aj4je4 ,the ,iowa station director estimated that one acre of alfalfa pastured was worth at least three acres of blue-grass for pigs4 ,it is claimed by ,kansas farmers that an average acre of alfalfa will pasture #ae pigs1 while some report having pastured #bj or more pigs per acre4 ,those who have used alfalfa as a soiling crop for pigs admit1 however1 that one acre so utilized is equal to two if not three used as pasture4 ,it is argued by feeders that as many hogs may profitably be allowed with cattle that are being fattened on corn and alfalfa as when fed corn alone1 as the feeders believe in cleaning out the feed-racks every few days and giving the left-over stems to the hogs4 ,if necessary1 a little corn is added to the hog ration4 ,a ,,nebraska ,,test ,the ,nebraska experiment station1 from a hog-feeding test made in #aijc reported the following3 8,with the alfalfa hay worth #g per ton1 the leaves1 containing #dj per cent more protein1 would be worth approximately #aj per ton4 ,the shorts cost #ab4ej per ton delivered4 ,the dairy department charged #ae cents per hundred for the skim milk used4 ,corn was delivered to the barns at #cj cents per bushel4 ,adding the usual rate of #f cents per hundred for grinding1 the corn meal cost #ab per ton4 ,at these prices1 each hundred pounds of gain in the several lots cost as follows3 ,lot #a1 corn alone #d4dh ,lot #b1 corn and skim milk #c4ig ,lot #c1 corn and shorts #c4ec ,lot #d1 corn and alfalfa #c4dj 8,this experiment shows that at the market prices quoted and the proportions used in the experiment1 skim milk will make corn bring four cents more per bushel1 wheat shorts eight cents more1 and alfalfa leaves nine cents more4 ,assuming that only five per cent of the #beb1ebj1agc bushels of corn produced in ,nebraska this year is being fed to hogs as a single food1 these figures would go to show that #a1jjj1jjj more wealth would be added to the state if wheat shorts or alfalfa were substituted for one-fifth of the corn fed40 ,,cut ,,alfalfa ,,early ,,for ,,hogs ,it is especially important that alfalfa intended to be fed to hogs should be cut early4 ,an experiment at the ,kansas station showed that a ton of early cut and well-cured alfalfa1 fed with grain1 produced #hfh pounds of pork while a ton late cut and poorly cured1 fed with grain1 produced only #ccc pounds4 ,for fattening hogs it is well to feed about one ton of well-cured alfalfa hay with each #bej bushels of grain4 ,farmer's ,bulletin ,no4 #bae of the ,united ,states ,department of ,agriculture declares that alfalfa is an ideal pasture plant for hogs4 8,there is no danger from bloat and with a limited number of hogs there is practically no injury to the alfalfa field4 ,vigorous alfalfa will support #ae to #be head of pigs per acre4 ,it is best to limit the number of pigs to that which will be insufficient to keep down an alfalfa field4 ,cuttings of hay may then be made at intervals and the growth thus rejuvenated4 ,on the average pigs weighing #cj to #fj pounds in the spring will make a gain of about #ajj pounds each during the season4 ,although pigs may be grown and fattened upon alfalfa alone1 it is best to combine the alfalfa with some kind of a grain ration4 ,alfalfa by itself is too rich in protein to give a balanced ration4 ,where pigs are pastured upon alfalfa alone they may be prepared for the market by feeding for a few weeks upon corn4 ,it is still better1 however1 to feed a third to a half of a ration of corn or other grain during the time of pasturing40 ,the great mistake made by too many who attempt to pasture swine on alfalfa is in overstocking4 ,there is a tendency to keep within a small pasture more stock than it can comfortably support1 with the result that the stand is gnawed1 trampled and rooted out1 while the animals fail to prosper as they would under more rational treatment4 ,one of the most extensive and successful swine raisers in ,kansas tells the author this3 8,twenty-five years of pasturing hogs of all ages on alfalfa has proven conclusively to me that with a fourth to a half grain ration1 while they are on such pasture1 will produce in them a greater growth per day than when in dry lots on full feeds of corn4 ,hogs will maintain a reasonable growth1 but not fatten much1 on alfalfa pasture alone2 ,i believe it profitable to feed them some grain while running on green alfalfa4 ,if it is desired to full-feed hogs1 they will make a rapid fattening growth by increasing the grain ration while on the pasture1 and with the full grain ration the meat will be nearly as firm as those of the dry lot1 where grain alone has been fed4 ,i find no distinction on the market between alfalfa-fed swine and those purely grain-fed1 and they sell price and price alike4 ,the general health of the alfalfa-fed hogs is equal to that of those maintained on any other feed1 and they are prolific40 ,the ,kansas station realized #aa4ij per acre from rape pasture and #bd4aj per acre from alfalfa pasture in ninety-eight days4 ,these results were obtained from the following experiments1 which were begun ,july #be and concluded ,october #ca4 ,thirty shoats1 averaging fifty-two pounds in weight1 were divided as nearly equally as possible into three lots of ten each4 ,lot ,i was fed on a grain mixture of shorts one-half1 corn meal one-fourth1 and ,kafir-corn meal one-fourth1 in a dry lot4 ,the other two lots were fed the same grain ration1 but one received rape pasture and the other alfalfa pasture in addition4 ,each lot was given what grain the hogs would eat up clean1 and each had access to water and ashes4 ,the weights of grain consumed and gains made are as follows3 ---------------------------------------- ------------ ,grain ,total ,grain consumed ,feed consumedgain1 in per #ajj lbs4 in pounds pounds gain1 in pounds ---------------------------------------- ------------ ,i4 ,no pasture #c1hja #a1jbc #cga ,,ii4 ,rape pasture #c1bdd #a1jgf #cja ,,iii4 ,alfalfa pasture #c1bdd #a1jgh #cjj ---------------------------------------- ------------ ,the gains of the three lots are very nearly equal4 ,the dry lot consumed #eeg pounds 7or seventy pounds for every #ajj pounds of gain7 more grain than the pasture lots4 ,the lot on rape required one acre of pasture1 while the alfalfa lot used a trifle less than one-half acre4 ,the lot without pasture required #c4ga pounds of grain to produce one pound of gain4 ,assigning the same value to the grain fed the hogs on rape pasture1 we have #hgg pounds of pork credited to the grain and #aii pounds credited to the rape4 ,at six cents per pound1 the price at which hogs were selling at the close of the experiment1 this would be a credit of #aa4ij per acre for the rape4 ,in a similar manner1 the alfalfa is credited with #bja pounds of pork1 equal to #ab4je1 and as there was only a half-acre of alfalfa1 this makes a rate of #bd4aj per acre4 ,the cost of preparing the seed bed and seeding the rape was #a4hj per acre4 ,it was seeded in the feed lots1 on soil that would otherwise have remained idle or would have grown up to weeds4 ,the shoats on pasture enjoyed their diet and seemed satisfied4 ,those in dry lot seemed to be hankering after something green1 and their appetites seemed unsatisfied without some kind of roughness4 ,they would even nibble at straw1 in a vain attempt to satisfy their craving4 8,the experiment10 says ,prof4 ,d4 ,h4 ,otis1 8emphasizes the superior value of alfalfa pasture4 ,where alfalfa is not available1 or where variety is wanted1 or it is desired to utilize otherwise waste land1 ,dwarf ,essex rape1 seeded at the rate of six to eight pounds per acre1 any time from early spring to late summer1 will furnish an excellent diet that is greatly relished by the hogs40 ,j4 ,e4 ,woodford1 of ,coffey county1 ,kansas1 ,april #a1 #aije1 placed ten choice pure bred ,poland-,china brood sows from twelve to eighteen months old that were due to farrow in the latter days of ,june1 on a five-acre field of alfalfa4 ,they were given no other feed than the alfalfa pasturage until they had farrowed and their pigs were a week old4 ,after that the sows had in addition to the alfalfa some bran slop until about ,august #bj1 when new corn was fit for feeding4 ,he says3 8,the sows from the time they were turned on the alfalfa until the last week in ,june made a remarkable growth1 besides gaining somewhat in flesh4 ,they did well with their pigs1 reared an average of seven to each sow1 and as sucklers they were a sight to see4 ,the pigs were the most attractive bunch ever raised in ,coffey county1 as admitted by our breeding competitors4 ,we weighed a gilt from this lot when six months and five days old1 and her weight of two hundred and twenty-five pounds was not above the average of the whole lot4 ,in our lifelong experience in rearing swine we have found nothing of the grass kind for them that in value approaches alfalfa40 ,a plat of thrifty1 well-established alfalfa suitably fenced and used for pasturing swine of whatever age can scarcely fall short of being among the most profitable parts of any farm upon which swine husbandry is given attention4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,alfalfa for ,horses and ,mules ,j4 ,w4 ,robison1 a ,kansas breeder of ,percherons1 who ranks among the foremost anywhere1 raises his colts to three years at an average weight of #agjj pounds and his four-year-olds at #aijj pounds1 ready for the sale yard1 on alfalfa1 except such limited quantities of grain as will make it more nearly a properly balanced food1 and incidentally expedite growth4 ,his opinion1 fortified by sixty years of experience1 is that alfalfa as pasturage and hay constitutes by far the most excellent and economical frame- and muscle-forming food available to the live stock industry4 ,his colts have alfalfa as their first green food1 and1 if foaled in winter1 are taught in a few days to nibble the cut hay4 ,he also says colts reared mainly on alfalfa have equal spirit and vigor and better dispositions than those given much grain4 ,his brood mares are made to rely on alfalfa as their main ration1 and for three months before foaling it is practically1 unless in midwinter1 their only feed4 ,as a result they are always in ideal condition1 their colts are delivered easily1 the mares give an abundance of nourishing milk1 free from feverish tendencies1 and the colts are robustly rugged from their beginning4 ,the cost of rearing colts and horses by this method1 he says1 is less1 quality and rapidity of their growth considered1 than by any other of which he has knowledge4 ,the well-known ,j4 ,e4 ,wing1 of ,ohio1 says3 8,there is no one thing so good for the work horse as alfalfa4 ,he needs less grain1 and has more life and spirit than when fed upon any other hay1 yet even working teams can1 on account of its richness1 be fed too much4 ,this puts an undue strain upon their excretory organs to eliminate the unnecessary food substances from the tissues4 ,the overfeeding of alfalfa hay to horses has in some localities caused the use of it to become unpopular1 and to raise an outcry against it4 ,the writer has fed no other hay to his horses--working teams1 driving horses1 mares and foals--for many years1 and has yet to observe the first instance of evil result1 save that the driving horses when not used regularly become soft and easily sweated4 ,,good ,,for ,,work ,,horses ,until recently it was not thought in the eastern states that alfalfa was an especially good feed for horses4 ,on the somewhat noted ,watson ranch at ,kearney1 ,nebraska1 the grain supply became exhausted one summer when the prices were high4 ,there was an abundance of alfalfa hay1 and although it was in ,august and the horses were at heavy work1 such as plowing and ditching1 the entire force of eighty was kept on alfalfa hay and but little grain1 without any injurious effect4 ,they relished the hay1 did the hard work every day and looked as sleek as if on pasture4 ,since that time alfalfa hay has been the principal ration for all of the farm's work horses1 colts and driving stock4 ,in western ,kansas farm horses have been wintered on a daily feed of #aj pounds of alfalfa hay and some corn stover1 and thin horses fattened on alfalfa hay and a little corn4 ,,cresceus ,,eats ,,alfalfa ,again1 the prevalent notion that it is not good for driving horses has been contradicted by hundreds of farmers who use it for such horses1 and by hundreds in western towns who use it for delivery horses1 dray horses1 and light drivers1 as well4 ,in parts of ,california it is the only hay fed to horses4 8,cresceus1 the great race horse1 is said to have been raised on it and it is said that he is fed no other hay1 even while on the racing circuit40 ,the same was said of ,sysonby1 the fleetest ,thoroughbred in the races of #aije4 ,many of the city transfer companies in ,denver1 ,kansas ,city and ,omaha use alfalfa hay1 claiming that it enables them to reduce their grain ration1 while their horses seem stronger and look better than they did with the former feed of corn and timothy4 ,,too ,,much ,,hay ,,fed ,it is no doubt true that ,americans feed their horses too much hay4 ,it is common among horse owners to let horses stand to full mangers when not at work4 ,in ,london the cab horses1 for example1 are given hay for but two hours a day1 in the evening4 ,at the end of two hours the mangers are cleared4 ,careful testing in decreasing the timothy hay ration one-half has not shown that the horses required any more grain than before to keep them in equally good condition4 ,horses do not need a heavy ration of alfalfa hay4 ,fed with grain1 probably #aj or #ae pounds of it is equal to a manger full of other hay4 ,as they become accustomed to the alfalfa it may be increased a little1 and the grain decreased4 ,it is a rich food and should not be used as freely as hays with less protein4 ,prof4 ,l4 ,a4 ,merrill of the ,utah station made six tests of alfalfa hay in comparison with timothy for horses under varying conditions of work1 and found that it was less difficult to maintain their weight with alfalfa4 ,the appearance of the horses in every comparison was in favor of the alfalfa-fed horse1 and no ill results were noted on their health by long-continued alfalfa feeding4 ,fourteen-hundred pound horses at hard work could be maintained in condition on #cb4f pounds of alfalfa hay per day1 and at rest #bj pounds was sufficient for the same horses4 ,the quantity of hay fed on most farms could be reduced at least one-half4 ,with all its merits alfalfa hay is by no means a properly balanced ration for all purposes1 and those unacquainted with this fact are liable to feed it1 exclusively or otherwise1 in such quantities as are both extravagant and harmful4 ,d4 ,c4 ,smead1 a veterinarian of note1 in writing about using the hay in too great quantities1 especially in feeding horses1 says this3 8,there is more danger in deranging the digestion or man or beast by an excess of protein than by overfeeding on a carbonaceous food4 ,the proteins in food are more easily acted upon by the digestive fluids1 and thus more easily digested and carried into the blood1 where an excess means work for the kidneys to carry it off4 ,we can founder a horse more easily on wheat than on corn for this very reason4 ,alfalfa has a nutritive ratio of practically #a to #d4 ,an ordinary #ajjj-pound horse1 if given all it will eat of it1 will eat from thirty to forty pounds in twenty-four hours4 ,as the alfalfa contains about #aa per cent of easily digested proteins1 you will readily see that the horse would be taking into his system nearly four and one-half pounds of protein4 8,about two and one-half pounds of digestible protein is all that an ordinary horse or cow of a thousand pounds weight1 when at work or in milk1 can utilize4 ,in the alfalfa hay we have nearly twice as much as is needed4 ,if it were not for some of it being physicked off1 we would soon have an animal with overworked kidneys or muscular stiffness of a rheumatic nature4 ,in case of a mare in foal1 when fed on alfalfa and nothing else1 the chances are she would drop her colt prematurely1 or if it went full time1 the colt would be a nice1 fat1 little1 plump fellow1 with little vitality and with a tendency to rickets or bowel disease1 all because the alfalfa was too narrow a ration4 8,now if we fed this mare alfalfa hay once a day or even twice a day1 in moderate quantities1 say fifteen pounds1 and gave her one feed of straw or timothy hay or corn fodder1 which are carbonaceous foods1 with a quart of oats a day to impart a little nerve force1 we would have her practically on right lines4 ,alfalfa1 good as it is1 is not an all-sufficient food for any animal4 ,the danger lies in sections where it is being thrown to the animals relishing it so well and the owner having it in such abundance that it will come to be considered all-sufficient1 and then trouble is liable to follow4 ,but fed with judgment it is the best of all protein foods1 and will enable the farmer to feed wisely and well many of the unmarketable rough foods he raises1 like straw and corn stover1 the one balancing the other40 ,here and there are horses with digestive apparatus not suited for the best use of alfalfa1 but they are rare exceptions rather than the rule4 ,,produces ,,rapid ,,growth ,one of the foremost horse breeders in ,america1 who constantly maintains upwards of one hundred head of various ages1 writes the author this3 8,in my experience of twenty-five years in pasturing horses on alfalfa1 results have convinced me that it produces more bone1 muscle and blood in horses in less time than any other pasturage with which ,i am acquainted4 ,but ,i believe it profitable in raising the best horses to also use a moderate grain ration1 to stimulate rapid growth and early development2 my horses1 however1 have shown no ill effects from pasturing on alfalfa without grain1 or other feed1 and ,i have found such pasturing conducive to health and prolificacy1 maturing animals equal for service to any reared otherwise4 ,i have raised three-year-olds grown on alfalfa and a light grain ration to exceed a ton in weight1 carrying all the good qualities of the breed to which they belonged4 ,further1 ,i find using alfalfa as a horse pasture a much more economical method of raising horses than any other40 ,illustration3 ,alfalfa ,one ,year ,old ,showing ,effects of ,inoculation ,plants on the left inoculated with 8nitro-culture10 those on the right not inoculated ,illustration3 ,a ,good ,type of a ,four-year-old ,alfalfa ,plant grown on ,kansas upland4 ,height1 ,may #bh1 #cf inches4 ,the crown shows the effect of splitting with a disk harrow ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,alfalfa and ,sheep-,raising ,the day is not far distant when the free 8range0 will be practically eliminated from the stockman's assets4 ,his stock must be reared on cultivated crops instead of by grazing on grasses that cost nothing4 ,pound for pound alfalfa is more fattening for young lambs or old sheep than clover4 ,lambs soiled on alfalfa cut daily make a phenomenal growth and are as a rule free from disease4 ,they may be carried through the summer on a light feeding of green alfalfa and general pasture or farm grazing1 and fattened in the fall on alfalfa hay and cowpeas or a little grain1 at a generous profit4 ,thousands of sheep and lambs are every year brought from ,colorado and ,montana to western ,kansas and ,nebraska and fattened for market on alfalfa hay and grain1 making for these commodities a convenient market at good prices4 ,,how ,,to ,,prevent ,,bloating ,pasturing sheep or lambs on alfalfa is dangerous1 although there are sheep raisers who make it a main reliance4 ,one man reports absolute freedom from loss for several years1 and his method is to have his sheep pen adjoining the alfalfa field and early in ,april when the alfalfa is just beginning to put on its green1 he arranges a 8creep0 for the lambs to go through into the field1 and lets them stay there at pleasure4 ,they soon wean themselves2 the 8creep0 is then closed and a safe pen in the alfalfa field is used for shelter from rains and protection from dogs4 ,when necessary to fasten them in at night to guard against dogs or wolves1 he cuts green alfalfa each evening to give them with a little grain in the morning before turning them back to the field4 ,the lambs grow rapidly and none ever bloat4 ,nevertheless1 most sheep raisers will continue to reckon alfalfa pasture too expensive when it costs so many animals for the privilege of its use4 ,safety is the exception1 and not the rule4 ,owners of large flocks of sheep claim to be able to market lambs from alfalfa pasture1 or when soiled1 at one-half to one-third the cost of maintenance with any other crop4 ,green or cured it seems to hasten development and the lambs are in fine condition for fattening in ,october1 or the ewes to put into the breeding pen4 ,the ,nebraska station in a winter experiment of #ih days with one hundred #ej-pound lambs1 divided into different lots and variously fed with prairie hay1 alfalfa hay1 shelled corn1 wheat bran1 oats and linseed meal figured at the prices then current1 reached these results3 #a4 ,the alfalfa-fed lambs consumed #a4cd pounds of alfalfa hay and one pound of grain per day as against 4#hh pound of prairie hay and 4#hi pound of grain consumed by the prairie hay fed lambs4 #b4 ,the alfalfa-fed lambs made fifty-two per cent greater gains than the lambs fed prairie hay and the same grain ration4 #c4 ,the lambs fed prairie hay with corn and #af per cent of oil meal made #bf per cent larger gains than the lots fed prairie hay with a grain ration of shelled corn1 or shelled corn with #be per cent of bran or oats added4 ,in the twenty-fifth annual report of the ,ontario agricultural college are some interesting reports on feeding lambs on various foods4 ,the feeding periods were #gd days for the first experiment and #db for the second4 ,by these tests alfalfa hay was shown to be slightly better for the lambs in every way than clover hay under practically equivalent conditions4 ,the first and second cuttings of alfalfa were equal in value2 the third cutting was slightly better than the first4 ,w4 ,l4 ,carlyle1 dean of the ,colorado agricultural college declares alfalfa hay is the basis of the feeding industry in northern ,colorado4 8,without alfalfa our agriculture would be of very little moment4 ,alfalfa forms the basis of all our sugar-beet growing4 ,it not only enriches the soil in which it grows1 but prepares it for the growing of sugar-beets in a way that no other crop or system or cultivation can1 and while doing this preparatory work it yields an enormous tonnage of the most valuable feed for fattening sheep and cattle4 ,usually lambs are given free access to the hay and are allowed to eat all of it that they will40 ,lamb feeding in northern ,colorado has been carried on quite extensively for a number of years1 and with such success that 8,fort ,collins lambs0 are recognized in the eastern markets as superior to anything that is shipped from any other section of the country4 ,the name 8,fort ,collins sheep0 has extended to all of northern ,colorado1 just as the 8,greeley potato0 is the term given to all potatoes grown in the northern part of the state4 ,in recent years many thousands of old ewes have been fed at the various sugar factories upon beet pulp1 alfalfa hay and corn4 ,the old ewes thrive much better upon the beet pulp than the lambs or younger sheep4 ,it produces a very desirable sappiness of flesh1 and when these sheep have been on this feed with alfalfa hay for two or three months and are then finished with corn1 they bring the highest price on the market4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,alfalfa and ,bees ,,the ,,bee ,,fertilizes ,,the ,,alfalfa ,it has been discovered that the honey bee is of even more importance to the alfalfa than the alfalfa is to the bee4 ,the wonderful strength and speed of the bees take them long distances for their food and they have recourse to a great variety of plants4 ,but the peculiar construction of the alfalfa blossom renders it unable to fertilize itself and its shape makes cross fertilization very difficult4 ,in the marvelous 8balance of good0 in nature1 alfalfa1 like thousands of other plants1 is aided in its lease on life by the insect world4 ,it is not known just how many insects or birds assist this remarkable plant1 but the honey bee is the most conspicuous1 the most industrious1 the most eager1 and certainly the most useful4 ,careful observations have been made of seed pods grown near colonies of bees1 and also of those so far from any bee colonies that it was safely assumed no bees had visited the fields producing the pods4 ,in every case it was found that those from nearby fields had from #ej to #ge per cent more seeds than the others and that they were larger and more perfectly developed4 ,in ,colorado and western ,kansas1 where bee culture has been greatly developed in recent years1 it is found that the alfalfa seed crop in fields nearest to bee colonies is much heavier and of better quality than that of fields but a few miles away4 ,at the ,kansas experiment station a small plat of vigorous alfalfa was covered just before coming into bloom with mosquito netting supported on sticks4 ,it was therefore known that no bees nor other insects could come into contact with the blossoms4 ,later a careful examination disclosed that the pods which had formed were entirely without seeds4 ,,how ,,the ,,fertilizing ,,is ,,accomplished ,as suggesting something of the relation of bees and like insects to the cross fertilization of alfalfa blossoms and consequent increased seed production1 ,prof4 ,s4 ,j4 ,hunter1 entomologist of the ,university of ,kansas1 who has spent much time making critical observations of bees in the alfalfa fields of the ,middle ,west1 writes the following for this volume3 8,every farmer is familiar with the evil effects of continuous inbreeding among live stock4 ,in plant life this same continuous fertilization of one plant by its own pollen works no less injury to its race of plants4 ,to prevent such inbreeding among plants nature has devised several means4 ,one of these is illustrated in the alfalfa blossom4 ,if the reader will tear away the purple blossom exposing the true organs of fertilization1 it will be seen that the central round body1 the stigma1 designed to receive the pollen grains1 is higher than the surrounding1 elongated1 pollen-bearing anthers4 ,it will become evident1 then1 that it will be possible and most likely for the pollen to drop to the base of the flower without coming in contact with the stigma1 and the flower will thus go unfertilized4 ,this is as nature intended it should be1 namely1 that the plant should go unfertilized if it could be fertilized only by the pollen of its own blossom4 ,provision1 however1 is made for cross fertilization1 that is1 fertilization from the pollen of another flower4 8,the color of the flower itself1 its fragrance1 and finally the sip of nectar secreted at the base of the flower1 are all intended to attract flower-frequenting insects4 ,chief among these is the honey bee4 ,the fragrance of the flower draws the insect from afar4 ,the color of the flower reveals its exact location to the insect and when the tongue of the bee is inserted into the flower1 in quest of the coveted nectar1 the stamens and pistil spring up1 striking the under part of the hairy-covered head4 ,these hairs are barbed and readily retain the pollen1 so that the flower both discharges its own pollen and also takes from the head and breast of the bee pollen previously collected from other flowers4 ,obviously1 the first flower which the insect visits is not cross-fertilized4 ,practical observations upon the relations existing between the honey bee and the alfalfa plant are of value in illustrating the effects of the bees upon alfalfa4 8,a case in point3 ,a hundred well matured pods were collected upon an alfalfa field less than one-half mile away from a large apiary4 ,a similar number were taken from another field4 ,the two fields were as nearly identical as possible in the matter of soil1 culture1 and conditions governing the vegetable growth of the alfalfa plant4 ,the second field1 however1 was about twenty-five miles away from a colony of bees4 ,no bees were observed in the field and since there was no timber1 nor other place of shelter where bees might possibly live1 it seemed reasonably safe to say that there were no wild bees in the vicinity4 ,an examination of the seed pods from each of the two localities was made and the number of seeds counted4 ,in the field near the apiary the average number of seeds in a pod was found to be #e4eh4 ,the seeds were plump and the pods were numerous upon a cluster4 ,the pods themselves had several spirals4 ,in the other field1 the one remote from a known colony of bees1 the average number of seeds in a pod was #c4ce4 ,the seeds in at least one-third of the pods were small and shriveled4 ,the pods were few in the cluster1 short1 and with but few spirals4 ,the seed crop of the first field could be estimated on this basis at two-thirds greater than that of the second field4 8,it is a well-known fact that the seed yield per acre for ,red clover is comparatively small4 ,red clover belongs to the same family of plants as alfalfa and it1 too1 is dependent upon insects for fertilization of its flowers4 ,the work1 however1 is restricted largely to the bumble bee1 since but few other insects have tongues long enough to reach down to the nectar of the clover blossom and consequently do not visit the clover blossom and bring about proper formation of seed4 ,so in proportion as the bumble bees thrive1 the clover flourishes4 ,alfalfa1 however1 is not so limited in its number of insect assistants1 since the flower itself is shorter and the nectar accordingly accessible to a greater number of insects40 ,,the ,,honey ,,product ,alfalfa raisers find it to their advantage to have a few stands of bees4 ,as the original cost is slight and the bees provide their own food1 go after the raw material for the manufacture of honey1 demand but slight attention and make such bountiful returns1 bee culture has come to be a valuable 8side line0 for the farm4 ,as blooms are to be found in alfalfa districts every day from early ,may to late ,october1 the bees have a constant opportunity for service4 ,alfalfa honey is white and clear1 in an extremely delicate comb1 has a delicious flavor1 and an aroma that is delightful4 ,one authentic report from a western ,kansas county is of a single hive that contained nearly two hundred pounds1 and of another having ninety-six pounds4 ,the owner of these had twenty-five acres of alfalfa which in one year yielded him over one hundred tons of choice hay besides the honey4 ,the next year he increased his apiary to fifty stands4 ,while the average yield per hive elsewhere varies from fifteen to thirty pounds1 the average in the alfalfa-growing territory is far higher4 ,thus the financial returns of alfalfa may be greatly increased and in some instances doubled by having1 say1 two colonies of bees for each acre4 ,or if only a part of the alfalfa raisers in a neighborhood keep bees1 this ratio could be doubled or trebled by those who do4 ,unlike other trespassers on neighbors' fields the bees do the neighbors a distinct favor1 by fertilizing their alfalfa4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,alfalfa and ,poultry ,,better ,,than ,,medicine ,at first it might seem that too much was claimed for alfalfa if written of as a specially valuable adjunct in poultry raising4 ,the poultry industry of the ,united ,states is making wonderful advances1 and the volume of its returns is enormous2 the figures are well-nigh incredible4 ,one of the handicaps is disease4 ,poultry men are a unit in saying that where alfalfa in any form can be supplied to poultry disease is almost unknown4 ,fowls like it green1 and whether allowed the run of the field or it is given to them daily they eat it greedily and thrive4 ,many farmers say emphatically that the hens lay more and larger eggs when allowed alfalfa in any form4 ,its nitrogen contributes to the albumen of the eggs and to the growth of the young chickens4 ,,may ,,influence ,,egg ,,fertility ,scientific tests of feeding alfalfa to poultry have not been made1 but1 no doubt1 will be in the near future4 ,if it is found that the eggs are larger when the hens are given alfalfa1 it may also be found that the percentage of fertility is greater4 ,for years the complaint has been made by farmers and poultrymen that there are too many infertile eggs4 ,the financial losses are great if a fourth or third of the eggs used for incubation prove infertile4 ,it would seem that the same elements that contribute to the growth of the hatched chicken should also add to the vitality of the embryo1 increasing the percentage of fertility and adding to the vigor of the newly hatched chick4 ,,aids ,,in ,,preparing ,,for ,,market ,the growth of young chickens is greatly aided by alfalfa4 ,one man reports an experiment with five hundred capons1 hatched early in ,march1 that averaged in ,december nearly eight pounds and sold in the city market at nineteen cents per pound4 ,they were given the run of a patch of alfalfa for a time and ate little other feed4 ,later they were put in the yards and fed with alfalfa cut into short lengths1 with a little grain2 still later alfalfa meal was added1 with a little wheat4 ,then1 finally1 alfalfa hay was cut and steamed and added to the ration4 ,the cost of maintenance and fattening must have been small compared with the large returns4 ,this item is from the ,harper1 ,kansas1 ,sentinel3 ,a subscriber tells us that the mites and chicken lice were completely driven out of his barn and hen house1 as soon as he had alfalfa hay put in his barn and used it in the house for nests4 ,he says that before the hay was cut1 it was impossible to keep a horse in the barn or to have a hen hatch a nest of eggs1 but neither mites nor lice can be found now4 ,this is a new use for alfalfa1 but if it does the work1 it will be lots cheaper than buying poisonous decoctions and spraying pumps to get rid of lice and mites1 the greatest pests to poultry raisers4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,alfalfa ,food ,preparation ,the growing appreciation of alfalfa as a stock and dairy food and the expense of baling and shipping it as hay1 the loss of leaves1 and the liability to heat and mold unless well cured1 have led to the manufacture from it of several food preparations4 ,these in some cases are made by simply grinding into a meal1 and in others by mixing the meal with molasses1 or a variety of food products1 and assumed condiments and appetizers4 ,the ,colorado station in a feeding test concluded that the ground alfalfa was not an economical feed for fattening pigs4 ,with cut alfalfa hay costing #h a ton and ground alfalfa #af a ton the cost of producing one hundred pounds of gain with the former was #b4fb and with the alfalfa meal #c4ab4 ,with corn and cut alfalfa hay fed in equal parts by weight the cost of producing one hundred pounds of gain was #b4gb4 ,with corn and alfalfa meal fed in equal parts by weight the cost was #c4if4 ,it is not improbable1 however1 that better results would have been obtained if a less proportion of ground or cut alfalfa had been fed4 ,it is also probable that the hog's grinding machinery is better adapted to his digestive apparatus than is any other4 ,,professor ,,cottrell ,,on ,,alfalfa ,,meal ,it is worth while1 however1 to consider the arguments in favor of grinding alfalfa4 ,prof4 ,h4 ,m4 ,cottrell says3 8,grinding alfalfa increases its digestibility4 ,how much has not been determined4 ,grinding increases the digestibility of corn and oats as much as #ad per cent1 and of wheat #aj per cent4 ,it is probable that there is a greater gain in digestibility from grinding alfalfa1 a coarse feed1 than there is from grinding grain4 8,when alfalfa is to be fed at a distance from the place where grown it must be baled for shipping4 ,when the bales are opened and scattered in feeding a considerable part of the leaves is wasted4 ,over #h per cent of the protein in alfalfa is found in the leaves1 and the loss of protein from leaves wasted in feeding baled hay is frequently from one-fourth to one-half of the total amount in the original hay4 ,with ground alfalfa there is no waste in feeding either from leaf or stem4 ,alfalfa ground is in the best condition for shipping and handling cheaply and without waste4 8,ground alfalfa is not only a good feed itself but when mixed with grain aids in the digestion of the other feeds1 enabling the feeder to get more out of his home grown grain4 8,experiments have not been made to determine the exact value of this diluting effect of alfalfa meal in increasing the feed value of heavy grains4 ,tests have shown that corn-and-cob meal has the same feeding value as an equal weight of clear corn meal4 ,practically worthless ground cobs by their #8lightening up' the heavy corn meal add #bj per cent to the feeding value of the meal with which they are mixed4 ,it is reasonable to believe that a rich feed like ground alfalfa has even a greater influence when mixed with corn meal4 ,the more intimate the mixture the greater the benefits from alfalfa1 and for this reason ground alfalfa is far superior to the whole hay4 8,grinding alfalfa hay reduces the power needed to digest and assimilate it4 ,it takes power for an animal to chew the feed1 digest it and bring about the chemical changes that convert it into flesh or milk4 ,all this energy is taken from the actual food material in the alfalfa4 ,experiments show that a much larger amount of food value is used up in this way with coarse feeds than with concentrated fine feeds4 ,in corn1 a concentrated feed easily worked up in the animal's body1 three-fourths of the protein actually in the hay is digested2 and in straw1 a still coarser feed1 only one-tenth4 ,forty-eight per cent of all the energy in coarse hay is used up in chewing and digesting it1 while only twenty per cent of the energy in oats is used in these processes4 ,this shows the value of preparing feed in such a way as to require the least effort on the part of the animal to use it4 8,in a well constructed mill it requires one horse-power ten hours to grind alfalfa sufficient for a month's ration for a dairy cow in full milk4 ,this indicates what a saving the grinding of alfalfa makes in its effective use by an animal4 8,experiments show that good alfalfa hay and wheat bran have practically the same value in feeding for milk4 ,in a test made of bran and alfalfa meal1 two lots of cows were selected that were giving equal weights of milk4 ,one lot was fed bran1 the other lot the same weight of alfalfa meal4 ,for each #ajj pounds of milk given by the cows fed bran1 #ada pounds were yielded by the cows fed alfalfa meal40 ,as an example1 8,alfamo0 is the name of one of the numerous new feeds on the market1 having alfalfa meal as its principal ingredient4 ,after a year of experimenting with grinding and mixing various feeds it was determined by the manufacturers that a feed made of three parts alfalfa meal and one part beet-sugar molasses would possess a very high value4 ,the ingredients are mixed by a special apparatus and subjected to a process which retains and preserves the high nutriment of the feed4 ,prof4 ,samuel ,avery of the ,nebraska station made an analysis of 8,alfamo10 which showed the following composition3 ,per cent ,moisture #b4gd ,protein #ae4jd ,carbohydrates #ej4dh ,ash #ac4hg ,crude fiber #ag4he ,professor ,avery also states3 8,this feed was made by mixing molasses with alfalfa meal which contained #af4ae per cent protein4 ,it will be noticed that the protein content is not greatly reduced1 while a large quantity of nutritious matter has been added in the molasses4 ,an analysis of the molasses used in this product1 showed practically fifty per cent sugar1 and it should be remembered that the sugar in molasses is all digestible and ready for the animal without extra effort on the animal's part1 which is not so in corn or other foods1 strong in carbohydrates from which the starch must be extracted by the digestive apparatus40 ,,solving ,,the ,,transportation ,,problem ,several mills for the manufacture of alfalfa foods have been and are being established1 and it is reasonable to assume that the use of these foods will become quite general in cities and districts remote from the alfalfa regions4 ,whether or not the actual feeding value is appreciably increased1 or the nutritive constituents made more thoroughly available1 is as yet not determined by sufficient tests1 nor has it been determined by any station test that any factory food preparation is more economical than alfalfa hay1 where the hay can be obtained well cured and with a reasonable proportion of its leaves4 ,it is altogether probable1 however1 that alfalfa meal will be more economical in distant cities than baled hay4 ,if these preparations of alfalfa prove to be satisfactory to consumers in distant markets1 it will lead to the multiplication of mills in the alfalfa regions1 thereby decreasing the cost of transportation and giving the grower a wider and probably a better market4 ,the use of the meal or the food preparations is likely to prove most especially valuable for dairy cows and poultry4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,alfalfa for ,town and ,city ,while the preceding chapters have dealt with almost every phase of alfalfa1 it is thought well to emphasize the advantages of its more general use in cities and towns4 ,in the minds of many there is an undefined impression that alfalfa is for farm consumption only4 ,often when first introduced into a community1 farmers who raise more than they have stock to consume1 complain that it is difficult to sell in small towns4 ,,the ,,town ,,cow ,,needs ,,alfalfa ,milk producers who know it best concede that alfalfa is an invaluable feed in the dairy1 closely akin to wheat bran in results and usually much less expensive4 ,in the average small town or city there is about one cow for every ten or fifteen people4 ,therefore1 in a town of one thousand population1 there will probably be seventy-five to one hundred cows4 ,if alfalfa will increase the quantity of their milk and butterfat1 giving a product at a lower cost than the concentrated foods1 it should be more used4 ,but as yet it is not generally used1 because it is not understood and appreciated4 ,the best time to secure a supply is when it is being harvested and can be taken directly from the field4 ,if the mow is large enough for three or more tons1 a ton can be stored from each of the different cuttings1 and be cured in superior condition almost regardless of the weather4 ,it would be found a most economical feed for the family cow and1 if fowls are kept1 it could constitute one-third of their ration1 adding to growth and to the egg supply4 ,a ,,cheap ,,feed ,,for ,,horses ,the larger users of hay in the towns and cities are liverymen1 deliverymen and teamsters4 ,these have been unacquainted with or doubtful of the utility of alfalfa and have never given it a fair trial1 or possibly any trial at all4 ,those who have used it and thought its effects harmful have perhaps not understood its highly nutritious character and may have fed it in too large quantities4 ,having such a large protein content it should not be used with the same prodigality as prairie hay4 ,for driving horses it should be cut when more matured than for other stock1 or when about half in bloom1 and should be well cured4 ,fed then1 in reasonable rations of from ten to twenty pounds a day1 livery horses may be kept in vigorous thrift with a small additional quantity of grain1 and thus a saving be made of twenty to thirty per cent in cost of maintenance4 ,in the alfalfa districts there may be found many liverymen who1 having had experience with alfalfa hay1 feed their horses little of anything else4 ,in the last few years there has been a growing demand for alfalfa hay for southern towns and cities4 ,the coat and general appearance of horses fed alfalfa are improved1 as compared with those fed timothy or prairie hay and the tendency to constipation and indigestion is greatly lessened4 ,it is rarely that an alfalfa-fed animal of any kind is constipated4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,alfalfa in ,crop ,rotation ,,maintaining ,,fertility ,it is a fundamental principle of the best agriculture that every acre should be kept constantly at its highest productive capacity4 ,in one sense the farm is a great machine for the production of food4 ,all prosperity must originate on and emanate from the farm2 the farmer is really the only original producer4 ,the measure of the world's material success must be the relative amount of the product of the farm4 ,as lands decrease in fertility1 the cost of living increases in direct proportion4 ,as fertility decreases1 land values decrease and rural population decreases4 ,already there are districts in ,america that are almost depopulated because of the barrenness of what was1 but a short while ago1 fertile land4 ,the fundamental principle of maintaining fertility is to restore to the land annually those chemical elements taken from it by the crops grown4 ,a prominent importer of horses relates that he was once entertained on a great horse farm in ,france1 whose owner told him that much of the farm had been in cultivation for over eight hundred years and was1 he believed1 as productive now as ever in its history4 ,alfalfa ranks as the greatest fertilizing plant known to scientific agriculture4 ,all cereal crops use large quantities of nitrogen4 ,a field cropped for years in corn or wheat will come to have too little nitrogen for the production of a profitable crop4 ,alfalfa1 as has already been stated1 after the first few months of its life obtains its whole supply of nitrogen from the air2 in fact1 more than it really needs4 ,as a soil improver it possesses at least five valuable properties3 #a4 ,it gathers nitrogen from the air for its own maintenance and a surplus that is constantly being added to the soil4 #b4 ,it is a deep feeder and its roots penetrate the earth to extraordinary depths1 drawing toward the surface and utilizing moisture and valuable mineral elements that other crops would never reach1 leaving the desirable elements there for future crops1 of whatever kinds4 #c4 ,by capillarity1 these roots and rootlets draw up moisture from below the surface until it modifies the very top soil1 changing wonderfully the nature of the field4 ,the analysis of a cubic foot of earth of a flourishing alfalfa field shows a marvelous change in moisture content since the sowing4 #d4 ,the mere mechanical effect of the extensive root system can scarcely be over-estimated4 ,as soon as germination begins the plant starts its tiny roots downward on the search for moisture4 ,roots four feet long have been found on alfalfa but four months old2 roots nine feet long have been found below alfalfa but nine months old4 ,after the taproot reaches a few inches below the surface1 it sends out smaller roots that have a lateral growth of but a few inches1 when they too1 take a downward course for moisture and for mineral elements needed for the growth above4 ,these first smaller roots decay and others start out from the taproot lower down4 ,these decay and still others start4 ,the decaying roots add humus to the soil1 and the openings left by them form a wonderful system of channels for the penetration of air and water into the soil4 ,the erstwhile compact earth is honeycombed and air and water penetrate the graves of the dead roots until1 when the alfalfa field is ready to be used for a different crop1 the soil has been wonderfully changed not only in its chemical elements but in its physical character4 #e4 ,the regular deposit of alfalfa leaves1 from the cuttings1 under the best care1 has been estimated at one-half ton or more per acre every year4 ,as these leaves contain a great percentage of protein1 it can readily be seen that they make a heavy contribution to the soil's fertility4 ,,value ,,of ,,stubble ,,and ,,roots ,when in his system of rotation the farmer is ready to plow up his alfalfa1 he has another inestimable contribution to the land's fertility in the stubble and roots4 ,it is not recommended to plow under any considerable growth as a green manure1 as the hay crop is too valuable4 ,its market value would buy more fertilizers than the same growth is worth for humus4 ,after a field has stood for five or six years1 the roots have added largely to the humus content4 ,prof4 ,w4 ,p4 ,headden of ,colorado1 estimated that the fertilizing value of the stubble and #f inches of roots plowed under is about #bj per acre1 while the value of the stubble and entire root system is not less than #ce per acre4 ,the ,new ,jersey station estimated that the amounts of plant food gathered by an acre of alfalfa in two years were equivalent in nitrogen to that contained in #cejj pounds of nitrate of soda2 in phosphoric acid to that contained in #fjj pounds of boneblack superphosphate1 and in potash to the amount contained in #abjj pounds of muriate of potash1 or equal to what would have cost #abd4 ,,effects ,,on ,,succeeding ,,crops ,the ,wyoming station1 at ,laramie1 under direction of ,prof4 ,b4 ,c4 ,buffum 7,bul4 ,no4 #dd7 made some tests that proved the market fertilizing value of alfalfa4 ,a plot of ground that had been in alfalfa for five years adjoined a plot of the same size that had been in varied crops1 wheat1 oats1 potatoes1 etc4 ,after the alfalfa sod was broken the two plots were prepared together and planted crosswise to wheat1 oats and potatoes1 with half of each on the broken sod and half on the other plot with the following yields and gains3 ,after ,after ,other ,money ,alfalfa ,crops ,gain ,wheat #cj bu4 #ah bu4 #h to #ab ,oats #gh bu4 #cg bu4 #af ,potatoes #ha bu4 #eb bu4 #af ,stating the results in another way1 ,prof4 ,buffum says3 8,the value of alfalfa harvested from one-half acre of land for five years was about #ej more than the cost of producing it4 8,the value of potatoes and grain from an adjoining half-acre for five years was about #dd more than the cost of producing1 at local prices4 8,when the alfalfa half-acre was plowed and planted to wheat it produced #h to #ab more value in wheat per acre than the land which had grown potatoes and grain before4 8,when the alfalfa half-acre was plowed and planted to oats it produced #af worth of grain more than land which had grown potatoes and grain before4 8,when the alfalfa half-acre was plowed and planted to potatoes it gave #af worth more of potatoes per acre than was obtained from land which had grown potatoes and grain before4 8,by growing alfalfa the increase of yields and values were produced with absolutely no cost for fertilizing the land40 ,this gain1 it will be noted1 cost nothing in the way of fertilization1 as the alfalfa had every year been more profitable than the other crops4 ,a ,marion county1 ,kansas1 manager of large estates reports that a field of wheat after alfalfa averaged forty bushels per acre while an adjoining field of equal original fertility averaged but fifteen bushels4 ,these results have been duplicated in innumerable instances where alfalfa fields have been plowed and planted to other crops4 ,a ,colorado man who farms #ajjj acres1 with #bjj acres of it in alfalfa1 says he cannot afford not to plow his alfalfa after he has had from it four years' crops2 that it is necessary to maintain the general farm fertility and obtain big crops of corn1 oats and potatoes4 ,in the potato districts of ,colorado alfalfa is used systematically as a rotation to maintain the yields and quality of their potatoes1 both of which are so famous4 ,in the corn belt1 which may be said to extend from the central meridian of ,kansas to ,pennsylvania1 alfalfa used in rotation will do much to prevent the disgrace of raising an average of but twenty or twenty-five bushels of corn to the acre4 ,and so in what were once famous wheat belts1 alfalfa will restore the crop records1 if properly used in a rotation4 ,,rotation ,a ,,necessity ,some experiment station men insist that where alfalfa is allowed to stand for many years it will cease to have a fertilizing value2 that alfalfa draws heavily on the potash and phosphoric acid in the soil1 and will after1 say1 eight or ten years begin to deplete it of these important elements4 ,therefore they insist that alfalfa should not be allowed to stand for over six or eight years unless it is given an annual top-dressing of manure4 ,they favor plowing up the alfalfa after about five years and cropping to corn or cotton4 ,former ,governor ,hoard in speaking of the value of alfalfa as compared with that of clover in a crop rotation says that1 8alfalfa having a much larger root development goes deeper down1 thoroughly subsoils the ground1 brings up phosphorus and potash from the lower strata1 and leaves much more vegetable matter to decay and furnish humus4 ,nothing else we have ever tried equals alfalfa for putting the soil in good tilth40 ,,spreads ,,the ,,bacteria ,,over ,,the ,,farm ,men who are raising alfalfa for use in a regular rotation never leave it over six years2 many prefer five1 while others make it a rule to plow up their fields every four years2 thus the bacteria becomes fixed in the soil of the whole farm4 ,such farmers use alfalfa as they formerly used clover1 to restore fertility needed for profitable crops of grain1 hay and forage4 ,the sod is hard to plow4 ,it is well to do the breaking immediately after the season's cutting1 if possible2 disk and harrow it several times and sow to rye for winter pasture1 and plant to corn or cotton or potatoes in the spring4 ,the winter's freezing will help to put it in fine tilth4 ,if it is desired to follow with wheat 7not always advisable1 however1 on account of causing a too rank growth71 the sod may be plowed after the year's second mowing1 disked and sowed to rye to prevent the soil from leaching4 ,breaking up a well set alfalfa field is no trifling matter4 ,it may be done with three heavy horses1 but it is hard work for them1 and they will not be able to break more than one acre a day4 ,an authority says the best plan is to use five heavy horses--three in the lead and two on the end of the beam4 ,they can go right along and plow two acres a day4 ,alfalfa roots are very tough and strong when the plants have attained full growth1 and they give a jerky motion to the plow1 which is severe on horses' shoulders4 ,a cast steel plow is the best to use and if it is tempered right a file can just cut it4 ,it can be hammered out thin at the blacksmith's shop when it becomes too thick to file easily4 8,the reason for filing1 rather than using the hard1 thin edge as in other plowing is that the edge needs to be rough as well as thin1 or the roots will slip along the sloping edge of the share and not be cut40 ,it is important that the furrow turned shall not be wider than the plowshare will all the time cut clean1 as any main roots that are left uncut will send up a more vigorous growth of stems than before1 which1 in another cultivated crop will be the same as weeds4 ,illustration3 ,alfalfa ,plant and ,roots ,showing ,bacteria ,nodules ,illustration3 ,tubercles on ,clover ,roots ,in untreated soil ,in inoculated soil ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,nitro-,culture ,,an ,,old-,,new ,,theory ,the inoculation of soil1 like many other lately exploited theories1 has no doubt been known for hundreds of years4 ,there are evidences that it was practiced in ,england at least a century ago1 and it is thought to be an old custom among the ,chinese4 ,some space was given to 8soil inoculation0 in a preceding chapter1 attention there being devoted to the simple methods of infecting soil with bacteria4 ,,important ,,discoveries ,some twenty years ago a ,german scientist1 ,nobbe1 discovered that the small nodules found on the roots of the leguminous plants contained bacteria that took nitrogen from the air and transferred it to the plant4 ,it had been known that cultivated soils were rapidly losing their original supply of nitrogen and there seemed no practicable way of restoring it in sufficient quantity4 ,commercial nitrogen costs fifteen cents per pound and the expense of applying it to the land to equalize the loss from an ordinary farm crop is almost equal to the value of a crop4 ,hence1 the discovery that the legumes were nitrogen-gathering1 by means of these bacteria1 was hailed as one of the greatest of the age4 ,with millions of pounds of nitrogen over his land there seemed now a method whereby the farmer could utilize some needed portions of it4 ,the bacteria live in tubercles upon the roots of various leguminous plants1 such as ,red clover1 ,sweet clover1 ,bur clover1 alfalfa1 cowpeas1 garden peas1 vetches and beans4 ,these tubercles are the home of the bacteria1 minute forms of vegetable life1 too small to be seen with the naked eye4 ,the legumes have no power in themselves to draw nitrogen from the air1 yet these bacteria seem to have the power to absorb the free nitrogen and cause it to combine with other elements1 forming nitrates or other assimilable compounds suitable for plant food4 ,it has also been demonstrated that1 as a rule1 there are different species of these bacteria for different species of legumes4 ,after ,german scientists had made their discoveries1 one of the existence of these bacteria on the roots of the legumes and another that in the laboratory1 these organisms could be bred and multiplied1 they seemed unable to develop them of sufficient vigor to survive any general distribution4 ,at this point ,dr4 ,george ,t4 ,moore of the ,united ,states ,department of ,agriculture1 hit upon a plan of cultivating them in a way by which they could be preserved for many months1 and he also gave them a much greater power4 ,this nitrogen-fixing power was so developed that seeds soaked in the solution1 it is claimed1 sprouted and produced plants in sand that possessed no nitrates4 ,he then found that these bacteria when grown upon nitrogen-free media will retain a high activity for a long time1 if carefully dried out and then revived in a liquid medium4 ,he also devised a plan by which they could be mailed to any part of the world and arrive in perfect condition4 ,most experiment station men have given to ,dr4 ,moore great credit for his discoveries and have tried1 with rather marked success1 his method of nitro-culture2 on the other hand a few have been opposed to the method from the beginning and are still opposed4 ,it would seem that the tests made prove that nitro-culture does introduce bacteria when directions are followed4 ,of course if a farmer's soil has the alfalfa bacteria1 it is not necessary to use any system of inoculation4 ,if ,sweet clover or ,bur clover is growing in the vicinity1 or if alfalfa is thriftily growing near without the aid of inoculation1 it is hardly necessary to make there further efforts for the introduction of bacteria4 ,,suggestions ,,from ,,the ,,department ,,of ,,agriculture ,in a preceding chapter the opinion was expressed that in most states1 and in most localities in those states1 inoculation was unnecessary because bacteria were already present2 yet it is true that these bacteria are present1 if at all1 in varying quantity4 ,if comparatively few are present1 any method of inoculation that will introduce more into the soil1 to hasten the growth of the tubercles and promote the gathering of nitrogen1 will be helpful4 ,the fact is1 we know as yet comparatively little of all there is to be learned about this wonderful principle4 ,it is altogether probable that the use of nitro-culture is as practicable and as free from objections as the use of inoculated soil1 especially from distant and unknown fields4 ,in one of its bulletins the ,united ,states ,department of ,agriculture has summarized its advice as to inoculation as follows3 ,when ,inoculation is ,necessary4--,inoculation is necessary-- #a4 ,on a soil low in organic matter that has not previously borne leguminous crops4 #b4 ,if the legumes previously grown on the same land were devoid of nodules1 of 8nitrogen knots10 thus showing the need of the nodule-forming bacteria4 #c4 ,when the legume to be sown belongs to a species not closely related to one previously grown on the same soil4 ,for instance1 soil in which ,red clover forms nodules will often fail to produce nodules on alfalfa when sown with the latter crop for the first time4 ,when ,inoculation ,may ,prove ,advantageous4--,inoculation may prove advantageous-- #a4 ,when the soil produces a sickly growth of legumes1 even though their roots show some nodules4 ,if the cultures introduced are of the highest virility1 their use will often result in a more vigorous growth4 #b4 ,when a leguminous crop already sown has made a stand1 but shows signs of failing1 owing to the absence of root nodules4 ,the use of the culture liquid as a spray or by mixture with soil and top-dressing may save the stand if other conditions are favorable4 ,when ,inoculation is ,unnecessary4--,on the other hand1 inoculation is unnecessary and offers little prospect of gain-- #a4 ,when the leguminous crops that are usually grown are producing up to the average1 and the roots show nodules in normal abundance4 ,cultures of nitrogen-fixing bacteria are not to be regarded in the light of fertilizers1 or as capable of increasing the yield under average conditions4 ,they do not contain nitrogen itself1 but bacteria1 which make it possible for the legumes to secure nitrogen from the air 7through the formation of root nodules74 ,where the soil is already adequately supplied with these bacteria1 it will not usually pay to practice artificial inoculation4 #b4 ,when the soil is already rich in nitrogen4 ,it is neither necessary nor profitable to inoculate a soil rich in nitrogen when sowing legumes4 ,not only does the available nitrogen in the soil render the formation of nodules less necessary1 but the nitrogenous materials in the soil largely prevent the bacteria from forming nodules4 ,any increased virility in nitrogen-fixing power possessed by any of the types of bacteria yet distributed1 may be rapidly lost in a soil containing an abundance of nitrogen1 because the bacteria are in a medium in which there is no demand for activity in securing atmospheric nitrogen4 ,when ,failure is to be ,expected4--,inoculation will fail where other conditions 7aside from the need of bacteria7 are not taken into account1 among which are the following-- #a4 ,in soil that is acid and in need of lime4 ,liming to correct acidity is as important for the proper acidity of the bacteria as for the growth of the plants4 #b4 ,in soil that is deficient in fertilizers1 such as potash1 phosphoric acid or lime4 ,the activity of the bacteria in securing nitrogen from the air and rendering it available to the legumes does not do away with the need for such fertilizing elements as potash and phosphorus4 #c4 ,it must also be remembered that inoculation does not 8act like magic02 it will not overcome results due to bad seed1 improper preparation and cultivation of the ground1 and decidedly adverse conditions of weather and climate4 ,in the use of the cultures1 also1 failure is almost certain where the directions are not carefully studied and intelligently followed4 ,,sweet ,,clover ,,soil ,,used ,,to ,,inoculate ,,alfalfa ,,fields ,the discovery in ,illinois that inoculation of the soil for alfalfa was necessary in certain places and not in others suggested the theory that bacteria living on some other1 probably native1 plant were identical with the alfalfa bacteria4 ,investigations led to satisfactory evidence that this was the case and that the native plant was the ordinary ,sweet clover 7,melilotus alba74 ,the illustration facing page #bcj shows the results of a series of pot culture experiments made at the ,university of ,illinois and reported in ,bulletin ,no4 #id by ,prof4 ,cyril ,g4 ,hopkins4 ,the four photographs were made five1 six1 seven and eight weeks1 respectively1 from the time of planting4 ,alfalfa seed were planted in each of the five pots1 in carefully prepared soil practically free of combined nitrogen1 and at the same time four of the five pots were inoculated as follows3 ,pot ,no4 #a4--,not inoculated4 ,pot ,no4 #b4--;,inoculated with bacteria obtained from infected alfalfa soil4 ,pot ,no4 #c4--;,inoculated with bacteria obtained from alfalfa root tubercles4 ,pot ,no4 #d4--;,inoculated with bacteria obtained from infected ,sweet clover soil4 ,pot ,no4 #e4--;,inoculated with bacteria obtained from ,sweet clover root tubercles4 ,the results indicate that the same effect is produced upon the growth of the alfalfa by the nitrogen-gathering bacteria obtained from ,sweet clover as by those from the older alfalfa1 and seem to prove that infected ,sweet clover soil can be used for the inoculation of alfalfa fields4 ,investigations have shown that #ajj pounds of thoroughly infected soil to the acre is sufficient to produce a satisfactory inoculation within one year from the time it is applied4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,alfalfa as a ,commercial ,factor ,,effect ,,on ,,land ,,values ,only a few years ago alfalfa hay was not named in the market reports4 ,now it is conspicuous in the lists of hays4 ,then there were thousands of sandy acres in ,kansas and ,nebraska being held at from #b to #e per acre that now1 seeded to alfalfa1 are selling at from #cj to #ge per acre4 ,then1 cultivated farms in those districts could be rented for #a per acre2 now1 seeded one-half to alfalfa1 they rent for #c to #e and more per acre4 ,in the ,south cotton lands rent for #e1 and alfalfa lands at #ae per acre4 ,land in the ,yellowstone valley was worth1 wild1 #a4ej per acre2 now1 under irrigation and seeded half to alfalfa and half to wheat it commands #ajj per acre4 ,a few years ago labor commanded in those districts that now raise alfalfa about #a a day2 since then1 during alfalfa harvest1 hundreds of men have been imported there and paid #b or #b4ej per day4 ,then farmers were poor and trade was dull2 now1 a farmer who owns eighty acres well set in alfalfa1 harvests about #cjj tons of hay worth from #e to #ab per ton and has the proceeds available for added comforts1 improvements and luxuries4 ,a few years ago it was thought that ,america was approaching a crisis in the matter of beef and pork and mutton production because of the rapid diminishing of the free public ranges by the forest reserves1 irrigation projects1 and the like4 ,it was insisted that the farmers could not nearly sustain the meat supply4 ,possibly they cannot1 but alfalfa is doing wonders in helping to solve the problem of cheap meat production4 ,millions of sheep and thousands of cattle are being fattened annually on the alfalfa of ,california1 ,montana1 ,colorado1 ,kansas and ,nebraska1 and in some portions where a few years ago the sandy prairies gave but a scant subsistence to scrawny range cattle4 ,,enhances ,,dairy ,,interests ,in parts of the ,east since the introduction of alfalfa1 the number of dairy cows in many townships has trebled and the dairy product more than quadrupled4 ,when two acres of alfalfa will carry ten dairy cows through a summer1 the day and opportunity of the small dairyman are certainly at hand4 ,when1 as is the case1 alfalfa increases the rental and selling value and consequently the taxable value of land2 when it increases the demand for and price of labor2 when it increases the fertility of the land for other crops that may follow2 when it brings enlarged profits to the entire stock-raising and stock-fattening interests1 and puts more money in circulation1 it is inevitably to be considered a commercial factor4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,the ,enemies of ,alfalfa ,the most notable enemies of alfalfa are weeds1 insects1 parasites1 and animals4 ,more failures to raise alfalfa are caused by weeds than by all other enemies combined4 ,the cause of weeds in a field is usually poor farming4 ,clipping alfalfa early in ,may will kill many weeds4 ,if the weeds grow up1 clip again and do the same every time they threaten to become rampant4 ,if they are kept from seeding1 and do not in a large measure crowd out the alfalfa1 good crops may be had from it the second season4 ,if sowed in the fall1 disking early in ,april may kill most of the weeds4 ,it is folly to sow alfalfa on a foul field1 as it is far less expensive to kill out the weeds beforehand4 ,disking and clipping will do much to destroy them1 but if they secure a strong foothold the best thing to do is to plow up the field1 plant it in corn1 give it clean cultivation1 and sow alfalfa again when the weeds have been exterminated4 ,,dodder ,dodder is an annoying enemy4 ,it is a parasite1 belonging to the morning-glory family1 growing from its own small seed but attaching itself very soon to the alfalfa stalk4 ,it then separates itself from its own root and thereafter lives on the juices of the alfalfa until it ripens its seeds or has killed the alfalfa4 ,the wisest and safest thing to do is to sow only seed so thoroughly cleaned that there will be no dodder with it4 ,if1 later1 it is found that any dodder seed escaped the cleaning operations and is growing1 the grower should go through the field with a knife or sickle and a large basket or sack and cut out and burn every dodder vine and every plant to which dodder is attached4 ,if so unfortunate as to have sown seed with a considerable mixture of dodder1 clip the alfalfa early in ,may1 let the clippings dry for two or three days or longer1 and then burn on the field1 watching carefully to have the fire touch every part4 ,it will facilitate a complete burning to sprinkle parts not burning readily1 with kerosene4 ,if there is a poor stand of alfalfa1 largely infested with dodder1 safety lies in plowing it up and cultivating the field in corn or potatoes for two or three years4 ,illustration3 ,peculiar ,nodules in ,groups on ,small ,rootlets and distant from the large alfalfa roots4 ,from ,michigan ,experiment ,station ,bulletin ,no4 #bbe ,illustration3 ,alfalfa ,roots ,showing ,normal ,nodules small and near the large roots4 ,from ,michigan ,experiment ,station ,bulletin ,no4 #bbe ,from an excellent article on the dodder that infests alfalfa 7,cuscuta epithymum7 by ,mr4 ,f4 ,e4 ,dawley1 a ,new ,york authority on alfalfa1 and printed with illustrations in the ,country ,gentleman1 the excerpts here following are taken3 8,the only sure method of keeping alfalfa fields free from dodder is through exercising greater caution in the purchase of seed4 ,there is no reason why thoroughly recleaned alfalfa seed should have any dodder seed in it1 as reference to the illustrations will show4 ,the relative sizes and forms of the seeds of alfalfa and dodder are shown herewith4 ,it will be seen that there is a marked difference in both the sizes and the shapes of the seeds4 ,the alfalfa seed is shaped like a little kidney bean1 and varies in color from light yellowish-green to a rich golden-yellow1 and in some instances1 because of weathering1 or sweating in the cock1 or perhaps standing too long1 it shows a reddish-brown color4 ,the dodder seed is darker in color than the alfalfa1 all of that which ,i have succeeded in gathering from the plants being a rich golden-brown4 ,the accompanying illustrations show the form of the dodder and alfalfa seed respectively4 8,the seeds1 being sown1 germinate in the soil1 throwing up a slender1 thread-like stem somewhat resembling a corn silk1 which retains its connection with the ground until it comes in contact with the stem of the alfalfa plant4 ,it twines around this tightly1 sending its feeding suckers through the outside bark1 and as soon as it is firmly attached to the host plant1 the ground connection is severed and it is sustained by the plant juices which are taken in by the suckers4 ,it continues to grow and spread1 twining around other stalks and increasing very rapidly until a colony is established4 ,continuing to grow1 it climbs toward the upper portion of the plants1 feeding on their juices and sapping their vitality1 but never goes to the extreme top1 seeming to prefer the dampness and darkness of the matted alfalfa rather than sunlight4 ,the plants first attacked begin to die1 and the dodder1 spreading out in all directions1 forms a circle or ring4 8,the rapidity with which the pest spreads makes it a serious menace to the alfalfa grower4 ,comparatively little work has been done by scientific men in studying the dodders and methods of eradication1 and the fact that the little rootlets or suckers 7haustoria7 become so firmly affixed to the host plant that it must be destroyed together with the parasite1 has made the work hard and the results obtained unsatisfactory4 ,there are a number of methods by which dodder may be spread through a field4 ,as soon as it becomes thoroughly established on a host plant1 the many little branches1 waving about like the shoot produced from the seed1 attach themselves to other plants1 and thus the colony is increased in size4 ,in legumes1 the host plant first attacked soon dies1 but before this occurs1 the parasite has become firmly established on adjoining plants and is reaching out and completing the colony4 ,as soon as a host dies1 the dodder also perishes1 but before this happens it is very likely to have blossomed and seeded4 8,in the operations of mowing1 tedding1 raking and drawing the alfalfa hay1 these little colonies are spread about the fields by the machines and the workmen1 and on the horses' feet4 ,the sale of infested hay is a prolific means of dissemination4 ,hunters and pleasure seekers1 walking through the fields1 notice the peculiar corn-silk-like growths and often1 by picking up particles of it which are soon cast away1 establish new colonies4 ,the flower is very peculiar and attracts the attention of people passing1 who are apt to pick them together with some of the maturing seed1 and scatter these over the fields4 ,in a pastured field1 the animals spread the seed to some extent while moving from place to place in feeding4 ,the most serious menace1 however1 is from the purchase of impure seed2 farmers should always be absolutely certain that the alfalfa seed which they are buying is thoroughly recleaned and that no small weed seed is to be found in it4 ,one should never sow clover or alfalfa from a field or even from a locality in which dodder is known to exist4 ,it is probable that the seeds thoroughly ripened will retain their germinating powers for some years4 ,the purchase of hay from dodder infested fields1 or the purchase of manure from barns where infested hay has been fed1 are sure sources of contamination4 8,where a newly seeded alfalfa field shows evidence of quite general dodder infection1 it is useless to attempt to eradicate it1 and the field should be plowed up and planted with some hoed crop for a period of years4 ,old fields that have been thoroughly infested will probably be more economically treated in this manner than in any other4 ,in newly sown fields1 one of the most effective methods is probably hoeing over the spots where the dodder appears1 going over them once in two weeks and allowing nothing to grow on them until the dodder seed is germinated4 ,a modification of this method has been used successfully by spading in fields where the colonies of dodder were seen1 raking out all the tops1 roots and branches1 adding a little straw or hay and burning the mass1 and then keeping the spot thoroughly hoed for a season4 ,for fields where the colonies are small and scattered1 this method of hoeing and shallow cultivation is probably the most practicable1 as it helps to secure the early germination of any seeds that were left in the ground1 and also kills them as soon as they are germinated4 ,if the seed has developed1 one must be careful not to spade it in too deep1 as it may retain its vitality for some years if left covered in the moist soil4 8,burning has been recommended by some1 raking the dodder vines and what is left of the alfalfa to the center of the colonies1 putting brush or straw with it1 together with some fine1 light wood or chips and sprinkling with kerosene1 so that the alfalfa plants will be burned close to the ground4 ,this is necessary from the fact that the little coils of dodder close to the crown of the plants will retain their vitality and grow after a very severe burning1 providing the alfalfa which is above the ground is not killed also4 ,the most difficult problem to be confronted in killing out dodder where it has become established1 arises from the fact that if these little coils which wind themselves closely around the plant are not killed or removed1 the dodder will spread from these and make a new growth4 ,many experiments have been made with chemicals1 but none of them have proved wholly successful1 from the fact that these little rings were not destroyed4 ,all the rest of the plant was killed and the production of flowers and seed prevented2 but as these little rings were not killed1 the dodder began growing again and continued to grow throughout the season40 ,,leaf ,,spot ,leaf spot is a very peculiar disease and1 fortunately1 not common in this country4 ,it has been known in ,france since #ahcb4 ,in #ahia it was destructive in ,iowa alfalfa1 the loss in the neighborhood of the experiment station being estimated at #ej per cent4 ,in reference to this infliction the ,iowa station1 among other information1 printed the following3 8,any time after the plant has attained a growth of four to six inches from the seed1 but most commonly after the first year's growth1 there appears upon the upper side of the leaves small1 irregular brownish spots1 which enlarge to about one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter and extend through the leaf to the under side1 turning all parts brown4 ,when many spots occur on the same leaf the whole leaf soon turns yellow and falls off4 ,this falling of the leaves and the natural loss in vigor1 due to the diseased condition before the falling1 constitute its great damage4 ,frequent cutting of the crop materially prevents the disease40 ,in eastern states farmers report that there are frequent patches in their fields where the leaves turn red and the plant dies4 ,the probable explanation of this trouble is 8wet feet10 which alfalfa will not abide4 ,don't expect to get a crop of alfalfa from a field in which water is near the surface4 ,drain it or use another field4 ,,root ,,rot ,a disease peculiar to portions of the southern states is called 8root rot10 and similar to the root rot found in cotton fields4 ,the alfalfa dies in spots1 these spots widening in circular form4 ,this is a fungus that spreads only in summer4 ,the only means of eradicating so far 7reported by the ,texas station7 is the application of common salt and kerosene4 ,it has not proven a serious annoyance4 ,,gophers ,,and ,,prairie ,,dogs ,gophers and prairie dogs are great pests in some parts of the ,middle ,west1 and about the only successful means of combating them is poison4 ,the state of ,kansas has1 probably more than any other1 made a systematic effort to destroy its gophers and prairie dogs1 by liberal appropriations and a field agent to supervise the work to be carried out under provisions of law by local officials4 ,the injury done by the gophers consists chiefly in throwing up mounds of soil taken from the burrows and these greatly interfere with operating the mowing machine in harvesting4 ,in the alfalfa fields there is also a noticeable thinning out of the plants1 by reason of the cutting off of the roots4 ,these root cuttings are stored in the burrows in considerable piles1 and are used in cold weather by the gophers for food4 ,it is claimed by some alfalfa growers that this process of thinning out the plants is a benefit rather than an injury to the field1 but1 says ,prof4 ,d4 ,e4 ,lantz1 the official formerly in charge of the ,kansas work1 8,i have known fields where this thinning has continued until the crop did not half cover the ground at cutting time1 and the fields were plowed up for the planting of other crops4 ,the loss from gopher depredations to the alfalfa growers of ,kansas during #aija was probably fully one-tenth of the entire product1 and had a money value of at least #ejj1jjj40 ,according to ,professor ,lantz1 carbon bisulphide and other poisonous gases have frequently been recommended for the destruction of the pocket-gopher1 but the great length of the burrows and their irregularities in depth prevent the gases from flowing into every part1 and the animals often escape4 ,trapping1 if properly done1 is a sure method of killing the gopher2 but it is attended with considerable labor and is very slow4 ,an excellent trap for general use is the ,no4 ,o ordinary steel trap4 ,sink it in loose soil to the level of the runway1 nearly conceal it by sprinkling fine earth over it1 and leave the hole open4 ,gophers are easily poisoned4 ,they are fond of potatoes1 sweet potatoes1 apples1 raisins and prunes4 ,the presence of strychnine1 arsenic or other poisons does not seem to deter them from eating the food2 but if the poison is sweetened they seem to eat it more readily4 ,in summer it may be desirable to sweeten the poison1 but in the fall and early spring it does not seem worth while4 ,the poisoned food being introduced to the burrows below the surface1 there is no danger of poisoning stock4 ,it might be well1 however1 not to let swine run in the fields for a time after the poison has been put out4 ,the following method of introducing poison is recommended3 ,cut the potatoes or other food into pieces not more than three-fourths of an inch in diameter4 ,cut a slit in each piece and with a point of the knife blade insert a little sulphate of strychnine2 as much as half the bulk of a grain of wheat4 ,having prepared the bait in sufficient quantity1 go to the field armed with a round1 sharp-pointed implement an inch or an inch and a half in diameter and of sufficient length4 ,the tool here illustrated was made by a blacksmith4 ,illustration ,it is a spade handle shod with an iron point4 ,a bar is attached about fifteen inches from the point to enable the operator to use his foot in pressing it into the soil4 ,with this tool it is only necessary to find the runway of the gopher4 ,the handle is sufficiently thick to make a hole large enough to permit one to drop the poisoned potato directly into the burrow4 ,the operator then passes on to another place1 leaving the hole open4 ,no digging with a spade or other hard labor is necessary4 ,an experienced person can distribute poison to many acres of alfalfa in a day2 and if proper care is taken to rightly distribute the bait1 it will not be necessary to go over the ground a second time4 ,some experience is required to find the burrows quickly4 ,it is best to insert the food as near as possible to the freshest mounds of earth4 ,two or three pieces of potato at that place are worth many scattered in other parts of the runway4 ,the operator should avoid the larger mounds and those that are not freshly made4 ,for destroying prairie dogs1 ,professor ,lantz says that out of thousands of suggestions nothing has been found more effective than strychnine poison and carbon bisulphide4 ,following are directions for preparing and using the strychnine3 8,dissolve one and a half ounces of strychnine sulphate in a quart of hot water4 ,add a quart of syrup--molasses1 sorghum1 or thick sugar and water--and a teaspoonful of oil of anise4 ,thoroughly heat and mix the liquid4 ,while hot pour it over a bushel of clean wheat and mix completely4 ,then stir in two or more pounds of fine corn meal4 ,the quantity of corn meal needed will depend upon the amount of extra moisture present4 ,there should be enough to wet every grain of the wheat and no more4 ,care should be taken that there is no leakage from the vessel in which the wheat is mixed4 ,let the poisoned grain stand over night1 and distribute it in the early morning of a bright day4 ,use a tablespoonful of the wheat to each hole occupied by prairie dogs1 putting it near the mouth of the burrow in two or three little bunches4 ,do not put out the poison in cold or stormy weather4 ,it will keep for a considerable time1 and is much more effective after a cold period1 as the animals are then hungry and eat the grain readily4 ,a bushel of wheat should poison #ajjj to #abjj holes4 ,an excellent substitute for the oil of anise in this formula can be made by soaking two ounces of green coffee berries in the whites of three eggs4 ,let this stand for about twelve hours1 and use the liquid instead of anise oil40 ,a tablespoonful of carbon bisulphide1 upon some such absorbent material as cotton1 dry horse manure1 or a piece of corn-cob1 and rolled into the burrows1 is effective4 ,it is best immediately to cover the hole with a sod and stamp down firmly4 ,,grasshoppers ,grasshoppers are a source of no little loss to alfalfa growers in some parts of the ,west4 ,they usually do their greatest damage to the season's second crop1 the young not being very destructive to the first4 ,the best remedy1 or rather prevention1 is deep disking in ,april and then harrowing to destroy the eggs4 ,where the pests attack or are about to attack a field of alfalfa1 ,prof4 ,l4 ,bruner1 of the ,nebraska station recommends the use of a 8hopper dozer10 which is 8simply a long1 shallow pan of stove-pipe iron or galvanized iron mounted on runners and backed by a light frame covered with cloth4 ,the pan is about four inches deep1 from eighteen inches to two feet wide1 and from ten to sixteen feet long4 ,it is partly filled with water and a little kerosene4 ,a horse drags the machine across the field over the stubble of the first crop and the half-grown hoppers jump into the pan where the oil coats them over and kills every one that it touches4 ,the hopper dozer works best on level land4 ,on sloping ground the oil and water run to one end and slop over4 ,to prevent this the pan is usually divided into sections by a number of partitions4 ,the runners should stick out in front of the pan about a foot and one-half1 and a piece of chain or heavy rope should be stretched loosely between them to drag ahead of the machine and make the hoppers jump4 ,on level fields there are no great difficulties in the use of the hopper dozer4 ,careless driving may spill oil on some alfalfa and kill it4 ,if these machines are to be really effective1 they must be used before the grasshoppers get their wings4 ,the first crop of alfalfa should be cut as early as possible1 and the hopper dozers should follow the rakes as closely as may be4 ,on the whole1 they should be used only where plowing and harrowing have not been done or have failed to keep the grasshoppers in check40 ,of the use of this implement or machine ,prof4 ,s4 ,j4 ,hunter has this to say3 8,the height of the runners depends upon the height of crop to be protected4 ,it is important that there be no timbers in front of the pan1 so that its front line may come in contact with the grain passed over4 ,the insects then fall directly into the fluid4 ,when ready for use place two buckets of water and one-half gallon of coal-oil in a pan1 and then drive back and forth across the end of the field where the grasshoppers are entering until you have filled the pans2 remove the insects1 replenish with oil and water1 and continue until the field is rid of the pest4 8,many grasshoppers will be seen strike the sheet-iron back1 drop into the pans and immediately jump out again4 ,those farmers who observed the experiments were at first of the opinion that the locusts that jumped out had jumped away #8to live another day4' ,the writer asked those interested to watch the insects and note the actions of grasshoppers that had jumped out4 ,in every case the report was that the insects became sick and soon died4 ,in fact1 persons going over fields where a day or so before the hopper dozer had been at work1 were impressed with the number of dead grasshoppers on the ground4 ,an examination showed the presence of coal-oil upon the body4 ,this kerosene and water is an external irritant1 and my observations have been that the mixture is more effective than the oil alone4 8,the use of the machine may be best shown by examples4 ,in ,ford county1 ,kansas1 a large tract of alfalfa was cut1 and the locusts at once began moving into a large field of ,kafir corn which had been sown broadcast4 ,the hopper dozer was drawn back and forth across the end of the corn field nearest the alfalfa land until a portion of the field about twenty rods deep had been gone over4 ,here it was apparent that there were very few grasshoppers2 or1 in other words1 the advance line of the locusts' march only extended twenty rods into the field4 ,two days later the same area of ground was covered1 but not as many insects were taken4 ,grasshoppers no longer entered this corn and the hopper dozer was no longer used at this point4 8,it has been my experience with this machine that after it has passed over vegetation it does not injure the plants1 but in some way renders the vegetation distasteful to the grasshoppers1 so that they turn their course and seek food elsewhere4 ,i have observed that these native grasshoppers enter a field from one corner or side1 and that they are not as a rule scattered over the whole field1 but occur in great numbers in patches4 ,this being the case1 it is evident that with very little labor with this machine the products of a field can be given full opportunity to mature40 ,,army ,,worms ,in ,nebraska the fall army worm has caused considerable damage4 ,it is distinct from the true army worm1 having small hairs growing out from small black spots2 it has a whitish 8,y0 shaped mark upon the head4 ,the parent of the worms is a moth of a yellowish1 ash-gray color4 ,the female moth deposits her eggs in clusters upon the leaves and stems4 ,with the approach of cold weather the worms pass into the ground and enter the chrysalis stage about one or two inches below the surface4 ,when very numerous the only effective treatment is to disk thoroughly in the spring4 ,,bind ,,weed ,bindweed1 belonging to the morning-glory family1 is one of the meanest weeds that annoy alfalfa raisers4 ,it spreads from the root1 and is more than liable to smother out alfalfa or any other crop which tries to occupy its ground4 ,if infested fields could be grazed closely with hogs or sheep1 they might keep the bindweed down and finally eradicate it4 ,if this cannot be done1 the only remedy is to plow and use the land for some other crop4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,difficulties and ,discouragements ,notwithstanding the fact that alfalfa is now grown successfully in all parts of the ,united ,states1 in almost all kinds of soils and under many dissimilar conditions of climate1 there are grouped here as a summary from preceding chapters the several difficulties and discouragements that may confront the one who would grow it4 #a4 ,securing a ,good ,stand4 ,theoretically1 the farmer should secure a good stand every year with every crop1 but he does not4 ,he obtains1 however1 poor stands of wheat and corn and potatoes oftener than a poor stand of alfalfa4 ,why does he fail with alfalfa8 ,the following1 at least in part1 suggests why3 a ,he neglects to prepare sufficiently in advance4 ,he should select his alfalfa field one or two years before he intends sowing4 ,if he raises wheat1 he should sow a little alfalfa seed with wheat1 one or even two years before ready for alfalfa4 ,this will leave a few roots and the proper bacteria will have been introduced into the soil4 ,for two years there should be a vigorous fight against weeds1 the fewest possible being permitted to ripen seed4 b ,he neglects to prepare properly for the preceding crop1 and sometimes plants the wrong crop1 although sorghum and ,kafir corn are about the only very objectionable planting to precede alfalfa4 ,these have usually taken too much of the land's moisture1 especially if the season has been somewhat dry1 to permit a prosperous beginning of the plants from fall sown seed4 ,millet1 oats or cowpeas are the best crops to precede1 i4 e4 for the first trial4 ,the plowing for this preceding crop should be deep4 ,in clay land a subsoil plow 7the kind which loosens but does not throw the subsoil to the surface7 should follow4 ,it is extremely important that a dressing of stable manure be plowed under for this preceding crop4 ,the seed bed should be carefully prepared1 and under favorable conditions4 ,working the ground when too wet would make it impossible to secure a proper seed bed later when preparing for alfalfa4 ,illustration3 ,and ,there's ,still ,more to ,follow ,illustration3 ,dead ,prairie ,dogs gathered up in a #bj-minute walk through a 8town0 that had been poisoned4 ,nearly all the animals die inside their burrows4 ,the cost of destroying them1 according to ,professor ,lantz1 is not over two cents per acre1 not counting the labor1 and a man can distribute the poison over about a quarter-section in a day c ,he neglects to prepare the alfalfa seed bed properly4 ,he should begin disking and harrowing as soon as the preparatory crop is off the ground1 and continue this at intervals of ten or fifteen days until time for sowing1 when the soil should be as fine as for an onion bed4 d ,he uses poor seed2 seed that is infertile1 or adulterated with weed seeds--undesirable and unreliable in every way4 #b4 ,dying out the second year1 which in most instances is due to one of two causes1 viz43 neglect to plow under stable manure for the preceding crop1 or pasturing alfalfa in its first year4 ,not an animal should be turned on an alfalfa field for pasture until the second or1 preferably1 the third year4 ,another cause is disturbance of the soil and plants by severe freezing4 ,this may often be prevented in a degree by a light top-dressing of manure in ,december4 #c4 ,failure through harvesting and stacking4 #d4 ,injury from insects or disease4 ,these are practically all the things that need occasion serious vexation4 ,of course alfalfa calls for more work in harvesting than corn1 or clover1 or timothy2 but one acre of prosperous alfalfa is worth two or three of corn1 or clover or timothy1 even for market1 while for feeding purposes the difference is even greater4 ,the 8poor0 farmer1 the lazy farmer1 the 8corner grocery0 farmer should not sow alfalfa4 ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,miscellaneous ,,alfalfa ,,in ,,the ,,orchard ,probably nine-tenths of those who have written on this subject have condemned the practice of sowing alfalfa in the orchard4 ,they have said that the alfalfa demanded so much moisture that the trees would be dwarfed if not destroyed4 ,in going through an immense amount of material in the preparation of this book only two instances have been found of men who claim that the alfalfa is a benefit to orchards4 ,one of these was from ,texas and the newspaper quoting him did not give his name4 ,he was reported to have used his orchard for hog pasture1 keeping on five acres from ten to fifteen sows with their pigs from early ,april to ,september4 ,he claimed that the alfalfa instead of robbing the orchard of moisture actually contributed to the surface moisture and benefited the trees4 ,prof4 ,f4 ,l4 ,watrous1 of the ,colorado station1 is an earnest advocate of the use of alfalfa in the orchard and from an article of his this is quoted3 8,whatever may have been believed or imagined as to the uncongeniality of trees and alfalfa the theory is destined to an early downfall4 ,the evidence is at hand now to show that not only is alfalfa not a detriment when grown among fruit trees1 but in many ways it is a positive benefit1 lending itself and its properties to the advantage of the trees4 8,on land where moisture can be found at from six to ten feet from the surface1 the congeniality of the alfalfa plant and the apple tree becomes apparent4 ,both need plenty of water the first year1 a little less the second1 and very little or none thereafter4 8,after trees become old enough to bear and need all the land between them1 and that fertilized and renovated1 alfalfa may be used as a food gatherer and distributer4 ,it pushes down into the lower strata1 bringing up mineral elements1 captures nitrogen from the air through its root processes1 and brings all together near the surface1 thus giving to the trees the food they need to fill up and mature fruit4 ,nor is this all4 ,the alfalfa falling on the ground makes a soft cover upon which windfalls may drop with little bruising2 it so occupies the soil as to allow no foul growth to creep in2 it does away with the work of weeding or cultivating1 and keeps the surface cool and porous1 furnishing excellent pasture for hogs if the trees are protected4 ,it would be possible1 of course1 in this system of co-operation between fruit trees and alfalfa to secure a crop of hay or seed during the off years for fruit1 but whether this would prove profitable may be questioned4 ,orchards growing under the conditions described have produced magnificent crops of fruit which1 for size1 quality and coloring1 is seldom equaled40 ,,some ,,alfalfa 8,,musts0 ,,and 8,,don',,ts0 ,a ,knox county1 ,ohio1 man1 in expressing himself as to some of the requisites for success with alfalfa1 as observed from his viewpoint has this to say3 8,i have known about alfalfa from boyhood2 been familiar with it for thirty years1 and have grown it successfully on many soils1 from a stiff clay1 upwards4 ,the failures which ,i have seen have been accounted for by the non-performance of some of the essentials4 ,there are certain #8musts'1 not #8shoulds1' to be observed to secure success4 ,here they are from my experience3 8,first of all the seed must be pure1 of high germinating power1 and of the highest possible vitality4 ,if ,i doubted my own proficiency in these determinations1 ,i would consult the nearest experiment station4 ,i have had occasion to consult experiment stations1 from ,new ,jersey to ,wisconsin1 on various subjects1 and in every instance have met with prompt and valuable--and sympathetic--assistance4 8,the soil must have lime2 either as one of its natural constituents1 or lime must be added4 ,if the soil is deficient1 then the lime must be incorporated with the soil some months before seeding4 8,the land must have efficient drainage1 either natural1 or1 as in the case of clay and heavy clay loams1 artificial4 8,the land must be fertile to a depth of at least nine inches4 ,beyond that depth the taproot in its search for water will take care of itself40 ,another writer1 impressed by practices he regards as reprehensible1 enumerates them as follows3 8,don't sow any nurse crop4 8,don't sow on freshly plowed land1 no matter how carefully prepared4 8,don't let weeds or grass grow over six inches high without clipping4 8,don't clip or mow when wet with rain or dew4 8,don't let alfalfa stand2 if turning yellow1 cut it4 8,don't sow old seed4 8,don't sow less than twenty pounds per acre1 one-half each way4 8,don't sow twenty-five acres at first2 sow five4 8,don't pasture it4 8,don't put any of the rotten manure anywhere but on your alfalfa plot4 8,don't depend upon #8culture cakes' or soil from some distant field4 8,don't let any water stand on it4 8,don't let it go if a thin stand1 but disk in more seed2 don't be afraid you will kill it4 8,don't replow the land1 disk it4 8,don't wait for it to stool2 it never does4 8,don't try to cut for hay until the alfalfa takes the field4 8,don't sow on any land not well underdrained4 8,don't leave your land rough2 use a roller or a plank float to level and smooth it4 8,don't give up40 ,,alfilerilla ,,or 8,,alfilaria0 7,erodium citcutarium47 ,on account of the similarity of its name to that of alfalfa and the possibility of the two plants being confused in the minds of those not acquainted with them1 it is proper to make mention here of the plant referred to in the caption above4 ,it is not generally known nor widely distributed1 and has as yet its principal habitat in semi-arid parts of the southwestern ,united ,states4 ,the ,century ,dictionary calls it ,pin-clover or ,pin-grass1 and classifies it with the ,geranium family4 ,webster's ,dictionary speaks of it as a weed in ,california4 ,it is an annual and seeds profusely2 a few seeds scattered over quite a large area result in a thorough seeding the second year4 ,a stockman in ,arizona writes that it will grow on any kind of soil except alkali2 that it was introduced from ,australia by sheep carrying it in their wool4 ,it is a southern plant and should not be seeded largely north of the northern line of ,oklahoma until tested by the experiment stations4 ,it should not be confused with alfalfa1 as it is entirely dissimilar and not related4 ,in discussing this plant an ,arizona editor writes the following3 8,it is by no means a new or experimental crop1 for it was the main reliance of ,arizona stockmen during ten years of drouth4 ,we suppose that the experiment stations in the ,west have given it little attention because it is as well known as alfalfa here1 and millions of acres are covered with it in various portions of the ,territory4 8,we know from many years experience that alfilaria will thrive and keep stock in good condition where no grass roots would live through one of the dry seasons4 ,it is peculiarly adapted to the poorer soils in western ,kansas1 ,nebraska1 the ,texas ,panhandle1 ,new ,mexico1 and portions of the northern section of ,mexico4 8,its merits are that it will grow in seasons so dry that other forage fails and that it will keep cattle in better health and condition as to flesh and growth than anything else we can grow in ,arizona1 not excepting alfalfa4 ,in the spring cattle and horses will go miles to find it and it is better than #8condition powders' to put them in condition for summer growth4 8,what it will do on other classes of soil1 under excess of moisture1 is a matter of experiment2 but where it is needed most--as above outlined1 there is nothing that has ever been tested under these adverse conditions which can compare with alfilaria4 ,this will be certified to by every ranchman and cattleman in this section of ,arizona40 ,,measuring ,,hay ,,in ,,the ,,stack ,some method of arriving at the quantity in a stack1 rick1 or mow without weighing it1 is1 at one time and another1 found desirable by everyone who has to do with loose hay4 ,there can be no absolute rule laid down for this because of the varying compactness the hay attains under differing conditions of coarseness or fineness1 moisture1 length of time stacked or stored and the weight which has rested upon it4 ,for prairie hay stacked not less than thirty days a cube seven feet square 7#cdc cubic feet7 is not uncommonly bought or sold as a ton2 yet seven-and-a-half feet square1 or #dbb cubic feet1 are often made the basis of estimating4 ,the author is advised that in the alfalfa growing districts of the ,yellowstone valley it is the general custom to accept as a ton #dbb cubic feet of alfalfa hay if it has settled thirty days or more4 ,also that hay-men find there is a noticeable variation between the different cuttings4 ,the first cutting will fall short of actual weight more than the second1 while the third cutting will hold up in weight1 and sometimes overrun4 ,prof4 ,e4 ,a4 ,burnett1 of the ,nebraska experiment station1 thinks an eight-foot cube1 or #eab cubic feet1 a fair figure4 ,professor ,ten ,eyck says3 8,the rules for measuring hay in the stack will vary according to the length of time the hay has been stacked and the kind and quality of the hay1 and also according to the character of the stack4 ,with alfalfa or prairie hay which has been stacked for thirty days it is usual to compute an eight-foot cube or #eab cubic feet as a ton4 ,when the hay has been stacked five or six months1 usually a seven-and-a-half-foot cube or #dbb cubic feet is calculated for a ton4 ,in old stacks which have been stacked a year or more a seven-foot cube or #cdc cubic feet is allowed for a ton4 8,there are different methods of measuring a stack1 depending upon its shape and also its size4 ,for a long stack or rick the usual method is to throw a line over the stack measuring the distance 7in two or three places1 and use the average7 from the bottom on one side to the bottom on the other2 add to this the average width of the stack1 divide this sum by four 7which equals one side of the square7 and multiply the quotient by itself and this product by the length of the stack2 this will give the number of cubic feet in the stack1 which may be divided by #eab1 #dbb1 or #cdc in order to find the number of tons4 ,for small1 low ricks the rule is to subtract the width from the #8over1' divide by #b1 multiply by the width and multiply the product by the length1 dividing the result by the number of cubic feet in a ton4 8,there is no established rule for measuring round stacks1 but this one will approximate the contents of one of the ordinary conical form3 ,find the circumference at or above the base or #8bulge' at a height that will average the base from there to the ground1 find the vertical height of the measured circumference from the ground and the slant height from the circumference to the top of the stack4 ,multiply the circumference by itself and divide by #ajj and multiply by #h1 then multiply the result by the height of the base plus one-third of the slant height of top4 ,the hay in a round is necessarily less compact than in a rectangular stack1 hence a greater number of feet should be allowed for a ton2 with well settled hay1 probably #eab feet4 8,the rules given may also be used in measuring any kind of hay1 sorghum or ,kafir-fodder in the stack4 ,however1 for sorghum or ,kafir-fodder only approximate results can be procured by stack measurements because the fodder is apt to vary greatly in weight1 according to the moisture it contains40 ,illustration3 ,pot ,culture ,experiments at ,university of ,illinois showing effect produced upon growth of alfalfa by nitrogen-gathering bacteria obtained from older alfalfa and ,sweet clover4 ,reading from top to bottom the four photographs were made five1 six1 seven and eight weeks1 respectively1 from time of planting ---------------------------------------- ------ ,bottom row1 signs from left to right3 ,,alfalfa4 ,no ,bacteria4 ,,alfalfa4 ,bacteria from ,alfalfa soil4 ,,alfalfa4 ,bacteria from ,alfalfa ,tubercles4 ,,alfalfa4 ,bacteria from ,sweet ,clover ,soil4 ,,alfalfa4 ,bacteria from ,sweet ,clover ,tubercles4 ---------------------------------------- ------ ,illustration3 ,six ,months ,growth of ,alfalfa ,foliage grown from one crown under irrigation in southern ,california1 sixty feet below sea level ,height slightly less than eleven feet ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,practical ,experiences of ,alfalfa ,growers in the ,united ,states of ,america ,,alabama ,prof4 ,j4 ,f4 ,duggar1 ,director ,alabama experiment station4--,alfalfa is grown in ,alabama with entire success on the lime soil of the central prairie region of the state4 ,this is a strip of land from #aj to #bj miles wide1 extending southeast and northwest almost across the state and into ,mississippi4 ,beginning near ,union ,springs1 this prairie passes near ,montgomery1 ,selma1 ,demopolis1 ,greensboro and northwestward towards ,columbus1 ,miss4 ,on the prairie lands in this area alfalfa affords from three to six cuttings per year1 usually four1 and the yield is from three to six tons per acre4 ,irrigation is not practiced4 ,the seed is sown either in ,september or in the early part of ,march1 usually from #bj to #bd pounds per acre4 ,almost a full crop is secured the first year from fall seeding1 but only from one-third to two-thirds of a full crop is secured the first year from sowing seed in ,march4 ,it is not customary on this soil to use fertilizer on alfalfa1 but an application of even a light coat of stable manure immensely increases the yield on the poor spots4 ,failure has generally attended attempts to grow alfalfa on non-calcareous or sandy soils1 though under favorable conditions1 with liberal manuring and constant warfare against crab-grass1 it occasionally succeeds4 ,in ,bulletin ,no4 #abg of the ,alabama experiment station the results in alfalfa growing are summarized as follows3 ,usually the best crop to precede spring sown alfalfa is cotton1 especially if cotton follows melilotus 7,sweet clover74 ,the best crop to prepare the land for fall sown alfalfa is cowpeas1 sown very thickly4 ,farmers have found that alfalfa thrives when sown on ,johnson grass meadows1 holding its own1 at least for the first few years1 against this aggressive grass4 ,dodder1 a yellow threadlike growth1 is a serious enemy of alfalfa4 ,one of the remedies consists in mowing and burning4 ,seed merchants often pass alfalfa seed through a machine which is claimed to remove the dodder seed4 ,on sandy upland soils at ,auburn1 alfalfa has not afforded very profitable yields4 ,on such soils it requires heavy applications of lime or barnyard manure1 and it is believed that more profitable use can be made of manure4 ,at ,auburn neither nitrate of soda nor cottonseed meal very greatly increased the yield of alfalfa that was properly stocked with root tubercles4 ,acid phosphate and potash fertilizers are considered indispensable here1 and generally advisable on sandy or other soils not rich in lime4 ,inoculation with soil from old fields of either alfalfa or ,bur clover greatly increases the yields of alfalfa growing on sandy land4 ,the germ that causes tubercles to develop on ,sweet clover also causes tubercles to develop on the roots of alfalfa4 ,hence artificial inoculation of alfalfa is not necessary when it is grown on prairie land that has recently borne a crop of melilotus4 ,artificial inoculation of alfalfa is probably advisable even for prairie soils when it is uncertain whether either the melilotus or alfalfa germs are present in great numbers4 ,in regions in ,alabama where neither alfalfa1 melilotus1 nor ,bur clover is extensively grown1 inoculation of alfalfa is advisable4 ,for this purpose one may use soil from old fields of either of these plants or inoculating material prepared in the laboratory4 ,,arizona ,john ,blake1 ,graham county4--,alfalfa is the king of forage plants here4 ,it will stand considerable dry weather and live1 but it will not yield profitably unless irrigated1 or on naturally damp ground4 ,it does not do well here on clay soil1 and if clay subsoil is near the surface it is likely to dry out1 unless watered4 ,i have grown alfalfa for eight years on #age acres1 first and second bottom1 and upland1 with sandy and loam soils1 with small patches of clay and various subsoils2 the alluvial bottoms are usually loam of different depths1 underlaid with sand and gravel2 the next bottom more clayey1 with quicksand about #ac feet deep and gravel about #cj feet below the surface4 ,on first bottoms1 well water is reached at a depth of #c to #h feet1 the soil being dry on the surface only2 on the upland1 the soil is dry for #bj to #cj feet1 or until water is reached4 ,land intended for alfalfa had best be cultivated in other crops for two or three years1 thus insuring the killing off of native brush and grass1 and their roots2 then it must be laid off in 8lands0 of various widths1 according to the slope1 each land being leveled uniformly and bordered to hold water4 ,seed may be sown in ,august1 ,september1 and ,october2 in fact1 all the year1 except from the middle of ,april to the first of ,august1 when it is so hot and dry here4 ,the quantity of seed used varies with the preparation1 from #ab to #bj pounds per acre4 ,sow with a 8,cahoon0 seeder1 and cover with a brush or light harrow4 ,it is generally sown here with barley1 wheat1 or oats4 ,the grain is cut early for hay1 or ripened and headed1 in which case the stubble and alfalfa are cut immediately afterward and hauled off4 ,the ground is then irrigated1 and if it has previously been foul1 there will be plenty of weeds4 ,another cutting in good time will usually eradicate these4 ,the plant will not winterkill here if old enough to have four leaves before frost4 ,we irrigate abundantly1 from the ,gila river1 in winter and spring1 filling up the soil and thus making less need for water during the hot1 dry period4 ,irrigate after each crop is taken off1 and some land is benefited by two irrigations for each cutting4 ,the quantity of water needed depends on the character of the soil and subsoil2 some on the bottoms needs but little after the first year1 and it is a good plan1 if the subsoil is open1 to let the plant go without artificial water after it has a good start1 as it sends its roots down to moisture or water1 if at a reasonable depth below2 it will then thrive on much less water1 and the crop will be more nutritious4 ,if one is raising hay for quantity1 of course this does not apply4 ,the four crops per season yield on an average3 ,first1 #a to #b tons2 second and third1 #a to #d2 fourth1 three-fourths to one ton4 ,if cutting for quantity1 mow when fairly in bloom2 if for feeding1 when the seed has formed4 ,i have raised no seed1 but the crop used for that purpose is usually the second1 and it is not irrigated4 ,the time required for curing depends on the stage at which the hay is cut1 the dryness of the ground1 etc42 a good rule is to rake as soon as the rake will take it up clean1 and let it cure in windrows or cocks4 ,i use a 8,landen0 single pole stacker1 with slings1 which puts the hay1 just as it laid on the wagon1 in the center of the stack4 ,the seed1 threshed on an ordinary thresher1 contains straw and chaff1 which are easily taken out by running through ordinary wire screen-door netting1 and then it is suitable for the 8,cahoon0 seeder4 ,on land worth #dj per acre1 the hay in the stack costs #c per ton4 ,baling costs #b per ton1 the best size being #ajj or #aej pounds in weight4 ,size does not affect the keeping quality of the hay4 ,the hay has sold here for #f to #ab1 averaging about #g4ej1 and the seed sold here last year for #i cents per pound4 ,i do not think the straw is of much value4 ,alfalfa will yield abundantly the second year1 and1 if harrowed with a good harrow1 digging up the soil1 it will yield for a very long period4 ,mine1 which is #aj years old1 looks as well as it did when two years old4 ,to rid land of it1 it would be well to plow when dry1 then cross plow later on4 ,on naturally damp bottom it is hard to kill4 ,cattle pastured on rank alfalfa in the spring are liable to bloat4 ,thomas ,c4 ,graham1 ,pinal county4--,though ,i have been familiar with alfalfa growing for #aj years1 my first experience on a large scale was five years ago1 when ,i seeded the ,kenilworth farms1 containing #ijj acres4 ,i was successful in securing a good stand on the entire tract4 ,some of the land is upland1 with sandy loam soil1 washed from the mountains1 and various subsoils1 hardpan being1 in places1 only #aj inches below the surface2 the remainder of the land is low1 or bottom1 with adobe soil4 ,well water is found at a depth of #ie feet1 and the soil is dry from the surface to within a few feet of the water stratum4 ,before sowing1 the surface soil is plowed and harrowed thoroughly2 #bj pounds of seed is used to the acre1 and covered not more than one-half inch deep4 ,in our section1 the best time for seeding is in ,september and ,october1 and there is no danger from the winter frost4 ,during the first season we cut twice or three times1 to destroy all weeds1 and obtain #b or #c tons of hay per acre1 but have never been able to get a paying crop of seed from the first season's cutting4 ,for irrigation1 we obtain water from the ,gila and ,salt rivers1 but in some sections of our country water is pumped from wells by steam pumps4 ,it has not been found practicable to lift the water from a greater depth than #ej feet for this purpose4 ,the first year1 as the land is very dry1 it requires twice the quantity of water that is needed the second year and after4 ,we flood the alfalfa five or six times a year--once in the fall1 in the spring1 and after each cutting1 using water enough to cover the land to a depth of about one inch4 ,we have no rain to amount to anything here1 and depend entirely on irrigation4 ,i think the ground should be prepared in the fall1 and seeded in ,february or ,march as1 if seeded in the fall1 the young plants might be liable to injury from frost4 ,in all cases1 the soil should be thoroughly prepared1 and the seed not covered more than one-half inch deep4 ,it is not uncommon to harvest six crops of alfalfa in a single season1 and its feeding qualities are unequaled for cattle1 horses1 or swine4 ,it is found1 by careful tests1 that alfalfa is #de per cent better than clover and #fe per cent better than timothy for feeding farm animals4 ,in my opinion1 there is no other hay that will equal properly cured alfalfa4 ,that grown without irrigation is much better1 as it contains less sap and is not so stalky4 ,the threshed hay is splendid feed for milch cows1 and is sold here for the same price brought by the hay cut earlier4 ,last season ,i pastured #fe head of hogs on #aj acres of alfalfa1 and they did well4 ,in my experience1 it is far better than clover1 from the fact that it cannot be dislodged1 the roots penetrating to a depth of #aj to #bj feet4 ,the pasturage is profitable and satisfactory for sheep and horses1 and #de per cent better for cattle than clover4 ,they will bloat sometimes1 but if properly handled there is little danger4 ,the best preventive is to not allow the cattle to become too hungry4 ,we get1 on an average1 three cuttings a year1 averaging #a to #a tons per acre each1 and have pasture for five or six months4 ,for hay1 we mow when in full bloom1 rake as soon as possible1 and let stand in windrows until the stems are about half dry2 then put in the cock for two days1 and stack in large ricks of about #hj to #ajj tons each4 ,if put up damp or green1 it will mold4 ,the seed is harvested1 usually1 from the second crop1 when the pods turn black and can be shelled out by rubbing in the hand4 ,it is cut1 raked in windrows1 and allowed to stand until thoroughly dry4 ,i used1 this season1 a ,j4 ,i4 ,case separator1 and threshed and cleaned #fjjj pounds of seed in three days4 ,an ordinary yield is #ajj pounds to the acre1 and the cost of cutting and threshing is #c cents a pound4 ,the total cost of the hay in the stack is about #c a ton on #ej land1 with #ae cents an acre for irrigation4 ,the average selling price for hay is #d a ton1 and for seed1 #aj cents a pound4 ,with proper care1 alfalfa will last time without end1 and improve each year1 and it is difficult to kill it out1 as it makes more or less seed every crop4 ,an open soil1 free from hardpan1 is best for it4 ,,california ,henry ,miller1 ,san ,mateo county4--,since #ahga1 we have gradually increased our acreage of alfalfa1 until we now have about #bj1jjj acres4 ,this is on reclaimed swamp and upland1 under a complete system of irrigation1 with the exception of a little light1 loamy soil1 with water near the surface and no irrigation4 ,on the latter ground the plant is short-lived1 on account of the gophers4 ,the depth at which well water is found varies from #aj to #dj feet1 and1 with irrigation1 it is immaterial whether the soil is naturally moist or dry4 ,the preparation for seeding consists of deep plowing and cross plowing1 and the depth for planting is not over two or three inches4 ,for light1 loamy soils1 #ab pounds of seed to the acre is ample1 while for hard1 rough1 new land1 from #af to #bj pounds is required to insure a good stand4 ,seeding may be done here after the cold season1 and when danger of heavy frost is past1 but in time to take advantage of the spring rains1 which are very essential4 ,during the first season1 the weeds should be mowed as they require it1 without regard to returns of alfalfa1 and after they are subdued it is well to let the first year's growth go to seed and allow it to be trampled into the soil by young stock1 but if there is a full stand this is not necessary4 ,we irrigate from streams1 applying water as soon as the spring opens and every time a crop is cut1 the quantity of water needed depending on the quality of the soil4 ,drainage is very necessary1 especially when irrigation is done in warm weather4 ,after the first irrigation1 less water is needed at an application than at first4 ,winterkilling seems to be effectually prevented by watering in the fall4 ,alfalfa will attain its best state in three or four years1 and its condition after that will depend upon its treatment4 ,we put stock on our land generally after the first and second growth is cut1 and the only rest the land receives is when it is being irrigated4 ,after hay has been cut for several years1 we harrow in the spring with a heavy harrow or disk cutter1 and take the opportunity to reseed that which shows lack of vigor4 ,the more sun and the less shade there is1 the better the growth and the more satisfactory the yield4 ,we find it more difficult to get a stand than to get rid of it2 but1 in some instances1 where we have wanted the land for orchard1 vegetables1 or root crops1 we found several plowings would destroy it4 ,without irrigation1 we have not found the crop very profitable1 but there are a few favored spots in the state where it can be grown without water2 but when we plant we usually select such land as can be put under a perfect system of irrigation before using4 ,longevity of the plant depends on treatment and on the nature of the soil4 ,on heavy adobe soil it will not live and thrive as long as on loamy soil1 and on sandy1 light soil it will be of short duration without constant and judicious irrigation4 ,after the first season1 we make two cuttings a year1 and consider two tons to the acre each time a good yield4 ,for hay1 we cut when the first crop is moderately ripe--say nearly in full bloom2 the second crop and any later ones are cut when the bloom first shows2 otherwise the lower leaves will drop off4 ,the first crop is generally preferable for seed1 provided butterflies and other insects have not injured the bloom1 as they often do4 ,if the second crop is used for seed1 it should ripen longer than the first4 ,the crop for seed is mowed1 windrowed as soon as possible1 allowed to dry in that state1 gathered with a hand fork1 loaded on hay wagons1 and put in stack as gently as possible4 ,we find a good crop of seed a rare thing1 but use the ordinary threshing outfit1 and turn out #hjj to #ajjj pounds a day1 in rare instances double that quantity1 with a cost for threshing and cleaning of about #e cents a pound4 ,the hay we never put in barns1 but stack in small1 narrow ricks1 to avoid danger of heating1 endeavoring to get it in the rick as dry as possible1 gathering in the forenoons to avoid shelling4 ,when we use our own press and men1 the cost of baling does not exceed #a per ton4 ,the weight of the bale depends on the kind of press used4 ,an average1 handy bale weighs about #aej to #age pounds1 and we never have any trouble about the hay keeping perfectly in bales of that size4 ,the average price per ton for hay in our ,san ,francisco market is about #h to #aj2 of seed1 by the ton1 #h to #ab cents a pound1 #aj cents a pound being about the usual average price4 ,for feeding farm animals1 good1 well-cured alfalfa hay is better than clover4 ,for milch stock1 especially1 we consider it fully as good as any other hay4 ,we find but little difference between the straw and the hay1 and while all stock like the straw better1 there is no doubt that the hay contains the more nutriment4 ,like all rank growths1 alfalfa will produce double under irrigation1 and the quantity will greatly overbalance any possible improvement in quality without irrigation1 for ,i have found little difference between that grown by irrigation and under natural moisture4 ,for horses1 there is no pasture better than the alfalfa2 for sheep and cattle1 it sometimes works injury by way of bloat1 caused by too rapid grazing1 especially when there is dew1 thin cattle and young stock being most liable4 ,cattle in high condition and cows suckling or well forward in calf do not bloat4 ,as preventive of the bloat1 hay should be kept in the pasture where the stock can run to it1 and a good supply of salt in troughs to which they have constant access4 ,the plant will not stand trampling by stock unless the surface of the ground be entirely dry1 and we do not allow sheep or cattle on the fields during certain stages of growth nor during certain states of the weather4 ,we consider this pasture better than clover for swine1 especially when the ground has a smooth surface1 but if the soil is of a sandy nature1 and allowed to dry1 it is not so good4 ,the capacity per acre depends on the nature of the soil1 and the gain in weight made by the hogs depends on the breed and on the comfort they have4 ,we can raise hogs on alfalfa1 and by feeding them two months on grain 7say barley1 wheat1 or ,egyptian corn7 they will average1 when #aj months old1 #bej pounds1 gross4 ,j4 ,b4 ,de ,jarnette1 ,colusa county4--,i have had #aa years' experience with alfalfa1 and have about #ajj acres bordering on the ,sacramento river4 ,the soil ranges in depth from #aj to #bj feet1 and rests on a clay subsoil1 while water is reached at a depth of from #ab to #bj feet4 ,in sinking two wells on my place1 the soil was found as follows3 ,first #ab feet1 decomposed vegetable matter2 #d feet of quicksand2 #d feet of clay loam2 #d feet of hardpan2 #af feet of yellow clay2 #f feet of hardpan2 #b feet of black sand1 and at #dh feet1 coarse gravel4 ,the ground should be thoroughly pulverized--the finer the better--after plowing at least #ab inches deep1 and then seeded with not less than #be pounds of seed to the acre4 ,i have had the best results from sowing in the early fall1 immediately after the first rains1 using the 8,gem0 seeder1 harrowing in with very light harrow1 and rolling the ground well4 ,the first crop is usually quite weedy1 and of little value1 but the second is better1 producing about #a tons of hay to the acre1 if the stand is good4 ,stock of all kinds should be kept off the first year4 ,there is no danger here of winterkilling1 and by the second year the full yield is realized4 ,the length of time the plant continues vigorous depends on the treatment4 ,if pastured extensively1 it will require to be reseeded in from five to eight years2 but otherwise it may go considerably longer4 ,i invariably obtain three crops a year1 averaging per acre for the first #b1 and for the others #a to #b tons4 ,i irrigate only in the winter1 when the river is bank full and ,i can turn in water from it4 ,alfalfa produces the best results with irrigation after each cutting1 and in that case there are five to seven cuttings obtainable1 where with winter flooding ,i can secure the three only4 ,i mow for hay as soon as the bloom begins to develop1 raking in the afternoon following the morning cutting1 commence hauling about the third day after1 and then put in the barn with plenty of salt4 ,the third crop is given the preference for seed1 and is harvested when the plant is well matured4 ,i let it cure in the windrows and haul to the thresher1 handling as little as possible4 ,the common yield of seed is from #ajj pounds up1 according to the stand4 ,the cost of my hay1 on land worth #ajj to #aej per acre1 does not exceed #b per ton1 and it sells for from #e to #h1 while seed brings from #h to #af cents per pound4 ,the hay after threshing is of but little value4 ,the pasture is unquestionably the most profitable ,i have ever had any experience with1 supporting more stock of any kind to the acre than any other forage plant4 ,in early spring1 cattle are liable to bloat on the rank alfalfa1 but after the first of ,june ,i have had no trouble4 ,there is no special difficulty in ridding land of the plant1 and it is undoubtedly as good for fertilizing as ,red clover4 ,,colorado ,jacob ,downing1 ,arapahoe county4--,i introduced alfalfa into ,colorado in #ahfb1 and have between #ejj and #gjj acres4 ,it is on upland1 clay1 sandy and loam soil1 with some adobe subsoil1 but mostly sandy loam2 it is generally dry to sand rock1 and then it is necessary to drill #ej to #ajj feet to get water4 ,the plant will not thrive where there is hardpan1 but will grow in any soil that is dry4 ,unlike most other forage plants it derives considerable nourishment from the air and water1 though too much moisture will kill it4 ,after deep plowing and thorough pulverizing of the soil1 the land should be scraped thoroughly smooth1 as this cannot be done after sowing1 and is needed to make the mower work smoothly4 ,i sow about #be pounds to the acre1 drilling in about two inches deep1 #ab pounds one way1 and the other #ab pounds across it1 thus making an even stand4 ,prefer to sow in the spring1 early4 ,after the plant is eight inches high1 it may be cut and used for feed1 but is not very good4 ,after this there will be no weeds4 ,it matures in three years1 and after that is good for seed4 ,i have seen1 near the city of ,mexico1 fields of alfalfa #cjj years old that had been constantly cropped and never reseeded4 ,it will last #ajjj years1 and possibly forever4 ,irrigate from streams1 as is required2 when there is a great deal of heat and wind1 probably three times4 ,the water must not run too long1 or the plant will be killed1 and the land should be kept as dry as possible during the winter1 particularly in cold climates1 as on wet soil alfalfa winterkills4 ,well water is better than the stream1 provided it is pumped into a reservoir and allowed to get warm4 ,water is brought from the streams by ditches4 ,less water can be used the first year than after the plant is matured4 ,i am five miles west of ,denver1 and #ejj feet above the city1 in warm valleys4 ,with plenty of water1 ,i can obtain three cuttings a year4 ,have raised as much as #c tons to the acre at one cutting1 and my highest yield of seed per acre has been nine bushels4 ,hay is cut when the plant is in bloom1 cured until it is dry to the touch of the hand4 ,stacking by hand makes the best hay1 as machinery is likely to pack it in bunches1 causing it to heat and become dusty4 ,hay in the stack costs about #a4ej per ton4 ,baling costs #b per ton2 #ajj-pound bales are well esteemed1 but it is probable that large bales keep better than small1 if properly cured4 ,the seed pod assumes the form of a cornucopia1 and1 when the seed is ripe1 it is of a rich brown or mahogany color4 ,the first crop is preferable for seed1 and should be cut and stacked as the hay is4 ,it can be left and threshed when most convenient1 but the longer it remains in the stack the more easily its threshes4 ,the ordinary threshing machine does for the alfalfa1 but the seed must be fanned to be marketable4 ,six bushels is a common yield1 and the cost of threshing and cleaning is probably #be cents per bushel4 ,the price of hay has ranged from #e to #ae per ton1 and of seed1 from #h to #bj cents per pound4 ,the straw has almost no value1 as it is cut up very fine1 and can be used only where it is threshed2 if fed there1 it is very fattening4 ,for feeding horses for slow work1 the hay is better than clover or timothy4 ,for fattening purposes1 it is the best in the world1 for1 while the animal lays on fat1 it is never feverish1 but always healthy4 ,for pasturing cattle and swine1 alfalfa is superior to anything else1 and1 after it is mown1 it makes very excellent feed for horses and sheep4 ,if the alfalfa is wet1 ruminants pastured on it bloat and die very quickly4 ,it is not properly a pasture plant1 and such animals should be kept away from it1 but the hay1 properly cured1 is superior to any other food raised for fattening purposes4 ,there is no difficulty in ridding land of the plant1 as a good team and sharp plow will cut it out without any trouble4 ,i have plowed fields of alfalfa under and put in oats1 obtaining three or four times the usual yield1 and have known of #ej bushels of wheat to the acre on broken alfalfa land4 ,l4 ,w4 ,markham1 ,prowers county4--,i have had four years' experience with alfalfa4 ,have under my charge #ejj acres4 ,it is on both second bottom and upland2 part has clay subsoil1 other dark loam1 and all has more or less sand4 ,water is reached at from #aj to #dj feet1 and on land not irrigated the soil is dry all the way down to the water veins4 ,the preferred time for sowing is either ,april #a or ,august #a4 ,have as good success right on the sod as on old land4 ,if to raise seed only1 #aj pounds is sufficient to the acre2 for hay1 #bj pounds is not too much4 ,seed not more than two inches deep4 ,about ,june #ae cut weeds and tops of young alfalfa1 and then irrigate well1 and you get one-half to one ton of hay in ,september4 ,it is best to not try for seed the first year1 but give all the strength to the roots4 ,it does not winterkill here4 ,we irrigate from the ,arkansas river1 and the number of irrigations depends on the soil4 ,the first year requires twice as much water as later ones4 ,usually three applications are needed3 in early spring1 mid-summer1 and late fall4 ,i have #afj acres not irrigated for three years4 ,we have three cuttings1 yielding #a to #b tons per acre each4 ,cut for hay just when coming into full bloom1 and stack in the field--never in barn--in long ricks1 #ab feet wide by #hj to #abj feet long4 ,it will not heat in the stack4 ,let all pods become dark brown or black before cutting for seed4 ,the second crop is preferable1 unless there is a large acreage1 when ,i take one-half the first crop and one-half the second1 in order to help the farmer out with work4 ,have men follow the machine closely1 and cock up1 to remain four or five days before stacking4 ,never cut for seed with a mowing machine1 as you will lose one-third of the crop in trying to gather it4 ,the cost of alfalfa in the stack is not over #b at the outside4 ,to bale--preferably in #hj-pound bales--costs #a4ej per ton4 ,an ordinary yield of seed is five bushels per acre4 ,the cost for threshing is #fj cents per bushel4 ,there is a special alfalfa huller1 as even the ordinary clover huller is not a success4 ,for a number of years the average price paid the farmer for alfalfa seed has been #d4ej per bushel1 and hay in the stack has sold for #c4ej to #e4 ,for feeding farm animals1 alfalfa hay is far more valuable than timothy or clover4 ,horses will work and do well the year round on the first cutting of alfalfa1 and no grain whatever4 ,the pasturage for hogs and cattle is far better than clover1 and is profitable and satisfactory for horses and sheep4 ,i have #bej hogs now1 and raise them to weigh #bjj pounds on green alfalfa alone2 turn the sows in the lot in early spring2 they raise their young1 and ,i never bother them for eight months at a time1 as they have plenty of alfalfa and water4 ,put cattle on the pasture in early spring and let them run1 and few1 if any1 will bloat2 but when they are not used to it1 they eat too fast1 or too much1 and bloat4 ,the hay is not so good after it is threshed as that cut earlier for hay alone1 but the straw sells readily at #a4ej in the stack4 ,the stand gets better every year for hay1 and ,i know of fields in old ,mexico #fj years old that have never been reseeded4 ,there is no difficulty in ridding land of the plant if it is plowed under eight inches deep while green4 ,it makes far better green manure than does red clover4 ,on the same quarter section1 wheat grown on old wheat land produced #bj bushels per acre1 and that on broken alfalfa land #ej bushels per acre4 ,,connecticut ,dr4 ,e4 ,h4 ,jenkins1 ,director ,connecticut experiment station4--,alfalfa has been tried in a haphazard way in ,connecticut for many years and scattered plants and colonies may often be seen in fence corners and headlands4 ,within five years1 however1 some farmers under direction of the agricultural station at ,new ,haven1 or on their own initiative1 have made more careful experiments and while failures are numerous1 there are at present a number of small areas well established1 yielding three or four cuttings yearly and highly valued by their owners4 ,on the farm of ,c4 ,w4 ,beach of ,west ,hartford1 ,f4 ,h4 ,stadmueller had for seven years a considerable field of alfalfa which yielded well and was used as a soiling crop4 ,mr4 ,barnard of ,north ,haven1 after repeated failures1 has a fine field and feeds it to both cows and poultry4 ,the ,gaylord ,farm sanatorium at ,wallingford1 ,john ,matthies of ,new ,milford and others might be cited as successful growers of alfalfa4 ,it does well on a variety of soils with us4 ,liming heavily1 #aejj to #bjjj pounds per acre1 is a necessity4 ,some form of inoculation of the soil is generally required and clean1 well-tilled land4 ,weeds are the worst enemy of the newly seeded alfalfa and easily smother the crop4 ,for that reason we prefer ,august seeding1 using at least #cj pounds of clean1 fresh seed4 ,it will pay to fallow the land1 in order to kill the weeds before seeding down4 ,thin spots cannot be successfully patched by seeding later4 ,great care in preparing the land pays with a permanent crop like alfalfa4 ,,delaware ,dr4 ,arthur ,t4 ,neale1 ,director ,delaware experiment station4--,twenty years ago1 ,i drilled alfalfa in rows #ah inches apart1 and cultivated at intervals of ten days until the crop occupied the ground1 seeding late in ,march1 say the #bhth4 ,the first cutting of nearly #h tons of green forage per acre was made nine weeks later4 ,thereafter four additional cuttings were made that season1 resulting in a total yield of #ba tons of green forage per acre4 ,this plot remained in good profit1 all told1 for five years4 ,an adjoining plot seeded broadcast1 grew into a weed crop the first year1 but during four succeeding years was in every respect the equal of its neighbor1 the drilled plot4 ,twenty similar experiments made during that year in as many other sections of the state failed utterly4 ,the dates of seeding were in every instance subsequent to ,march #bh1 but followed each other as rapidly as men could travel from point to point1 drilling the seed on well and previously prepared soil4 ,two years later nine similar failures resulted from spring seedings4 ,late summer is now the time most frequently selected for alfalfa seedings1 but success is by no means invariably attained even then4 ,liming has been of service in one five-acre test conducted in ,kent county1 by ,w4 ,h4 ,dickson in co-operation with this station4 ,the third trial within four consecutive years appears at present to be a complete success4 ,the first seeding gave a satisfactory stand1 but the plants died late in the following spring4 ,the ground was limed that summer1 after thorough preparation of the seedbed4 ,nitro-cultures from federal sources were used upon portions of the seed1 and #ajjj pounds of soil per acre from a successful alfalfa plantation were applied to the other areas4 ,this second seeding also failed4 ,the five-acre plot was then plowed1 wheat was drilled and a fair crop resulted4 ,the wheat was harvested1 lime was again used after the seedbed had been prepared1 and alfalfa seed sown as usual4 ,the crop this year has exceeded anticipations4 ,the check strip1 to which no lime whatever has been applied1 but upon which nitro-cultures were used1 carries no crop4 ,it will be disked after the third cutting of alfalfa this year1 well limed and again seeded4 ,,georgia ,prof4 ,r4 ,j4 ,redding1 ,director ,georgia experiment station4--,this station has successfully cultivated alfalfa for #ab years1 and we have never found it necessary to inoculate when we have sown the seed on rich1 well prepared land4 ,the plants at once became supplied with nitrogen tubercles and grew as luxuriantly as might be expected from the quality of the land4 ,our practice is to fertilize annually in ,january or ,february by sowing from #hjj to #ajjj pounds of acid phosphate and one-fourth as much muriate of potash per acre4 ,we run a cutaway harrow over the alfalfa two or three times in different directions4 ,we then use a smoothing harrow and finally a heavy roller4 ,this puts the land in good shape for the mowing machine and at the same time destroys weeds that come up during the fall and early winter4 ,i believe that it is not desirable to continue land in alfalfa more than six or eight years1 because of the impossibility of preventing infestation of weeds to such extent as to very greatly diminish the yield of alfalfa4 ,we have a plot growing1 that was sown about ,april #aj1 which seems to be as favorable a time as any1 provided there shall be one or two good rains to give the young plants a start4 ,the main factors in success are3 ,first1 a deep1 well-prepared and well-drained soil1 made very rich2 and second1 good seed1 carefully sown and repeated mowings at the proper time4 ,,idaho ,h4 ,w4 ,kiefer1 ,bingham county4--,i have grown alfalfa in ,idaho1 under irrigation1 for #ab years4 ,have #dj acres on second bottom1 heavy clay soil for #ab feet4 ,this subsoil pulverizes by the action of the air1 and will produce a good crop of small grain4 ,water is reached at #ajj feet4 ,the #ab feet of clay is dry2 the gravel and sand below are more or less moist till water is reached4 ,land having produced two successive crops of small grain is preferred for alfalfa4 ,sow #bj pounds1 in the spring1 and cover lightly with harrow1 brush1 or drag1 or roll4 ,the plants should be vigorous enough to choke out weeds4 ,amount of hay obtained the first year is governed by conditions and treatment4 ,when sudden freezing and thawing occur1 it is liable to winterkill4 ,the frequency of our irrigation is governed by the rainfall1 but is usually done when the ground is dry1 without regard to stage of growth1 allowing the water to run until the soil is wet the depth of a spade2 usually average two irrigations to each cutting4 ,our supply of water comes from ,snake river and tributaries1 which furnish sufficient for the ,snake river valley4 ,have noticed no difference in amount of water required during first or later years1 except as affected by the amount of rainfall4 ,we get three cuttings1 averaging about five tons for the season1 cutting for hay when in bloom1 and for seed when seed is matured1 which generally requires the entire season to mature in this locality4 ,the seed crop should be handled as little as possible1 to avoid loss of seed4 ,alfalfa should cure at least two days1 and1 if dry1 will not mold in stack4 ,the cost of alfalfa hay1 if irrigated1 is about #b per ton4 ,cost of baling1 #a4ge per ton1 in bales weighing #ge to #ajj pounds1 the keeping being governed more by the solidity than size of bale4 ,during the past six years1 hay has averaged about #d per ton1 in the stack1 and seed about #h cents per pound4 ,alfalfa makes satisfactory pasturage for sheep and horses4 ,cattle are liable to bloat1 but1 if taken in time1 may be relieved with a gag1 and by exercise which will cause the gases to escape2 the knife is used as a last resort4 ,the straw from which seed has been threshed has about the same value as green oat straw4 ,the various soils here appear equally favorable to longevity4 ,usually the third year gives about the best yield4 ,if not damaged by freezing1 it will not need reseeding for #aj or #ae years4 ,we have no trouble in ridding land of alfalfa4 ,we cut a hay crop1 and plow under1 for spring wheat1 with good results4 ,our best alfalfa land is clay1 which requires moisture1 artificial or natural4 ,our best yields have been six tons per acre for the season4 ,the feeding qualities of the hay have been well established4 ,james ,otterson1 ,logan county4--,have had #ab years' experience growing alfalfa on sagebrush land1 that will grow nothing but sagebrush without irrigation4 ,it is fine1 sandy loam1 extending down #f to #aj feet1 where lava is encountered1 which is from #a to #ajj feet deep4 ,the soil is dry until water is struck1 which is at a depth of from #ajj to #bjj feet4 ,there is no water in the soil4 ,when preparing for alfalfa1 we plow well1 level the ground1 and sow #ae to #bj pounds of seed per acre1 and harrow lightly1 or brush it in4 ,sow as early as the ground can be worked--about ,march #a4 ,the first crop1 if properly handled1 will yield from three to five tons per acre2 it will have more or less sunflowers1 which are a protection while the plant is getting a start4 ,it seldom winterkills4 ,we irrigate by flooding the ground twice each season from a stream4 ,after the first year1 three cuttings are had2 #b tons per acre the first2 #a to #b the second2 and one ton per acre the third4 ,cut for hay as soon as well blossomed4 ,it grows too rank here for seed4 ,hay should cure in from one to two days1 and1 if properly cured1 stack as other hay4 ,alfalfa costs1 in stack1 #c per ton4 ,the size of bales is immaterial1 except in fitting cars4 ,prices for hay have ranged from #e to #aj per ton2 for seed1 from #g to #ae cents per pound4 ,it is the best hay in use for farm animals4 ,horses will thrive on it without grain1 if properly handled4 ,for swine pasture it is far ahead of clover4 ,it is satisfactory for sheep4 ,in some localities it will cause cattle to bloat2 as a preventive1 feed well with dry hay before turning them on the pasture4 ,deep soil is the best for the long life of the plant4 ,the second year it is at its best1 and1 if properly handled1 and does not winterkill1 will last for all time4 ,it is much better than ,red clover for green manure4 ,,illinois ,prof4 ,c4 ,g4 ,hopkins1 ,agronomist ,illinois experiment station4--,alfalfa is being introduced into ,illinois to a considerable extent4 ,very careful and somewhat extensive investigations conducted by the experiment station1 beginning in #aija1 have positively established the fact that alfalfa can be grown in this state on several of our most abundant types of soil4 ,as a rule1 it is markedly advantageous to thoroughly inoculate the soil with alfalfa bacteria1 preferably by taking infected soil from a well-established alfalfa field1 where root tubercles are found in abundance or from land where ,sweet clover 7melilotus71 has been growing successfully for several years4 ,infected ,sweet clover soil serves just as well as infected alfalfa soil for the inoculation of alfalfa fields4 ,as a rule1 the best results are secured from summer seeding4 ,the land should be thoroughly prepared and made as free from weeds and foul grass as possible and then seeded between ,june #ae and ,august #ae1 if the conditions are favorable4 ,under exceptional conditions good results are obtained from earlier and later seeding4 ,three cuttings are usually obtained in the northern part of the state and four in the southern part4 ,the average yield is five or six tons per acre4 ,a liberal use of farm manure in getting the alfalfa started is advantageous and on some soils the application of lime is necessary in order to correct the acidity of the soil4 ,as a rule1 the yield is increased by adding to the soil some form of phosphorous4 ,a yield of #h tons of thoroughly air-dry hay has been obtained where a special effort has been made to make the conditions favorable4 ,,indiana ,c4 ,m4 ,ginther1 ,wayne county writes in ,orange ,judd ,farmer1 ,july #h1 #aije3--8,up to last year there had not been half a dozen attempts to grow alfalfa in ,wayne county1 not because there was no desire on the part of the farmers to raise the crop1 but because the farmers knew absolutely nothing about the methods to pursue in order to get a fair stand4 ,last year1 however1 a number of agriculturists in the county determined to try the crop4 ,a mile west of ,richmond lies the farm of ,j4 ,h4 ,hollingsworth1 a well-known farmer1 whose practical ideas about farming have given him a local reputation4 ,he is an advocate of intensive farming and cultivates his crops in the most thorough manner4 ,he keeps a herd of dairy cattle and in his search for more economical food than mill stuffs and clover hay1 he decided to try alfalfa and feed it with a ration of corn meal4 ,he had a tract of five acres4 ,this land was a clay loam with a good mixture of sand4 ,it was not underdrained1 and ,mr4 ,hollingsworth believes the result would have been better had there been a thorough system of underdrainage4 ,the soil is what is known here as sugar tree land4 ,about ,may #a of last year1 the tract was plowed moderately and then rolled4 ,during the previous winter a heavy top-dressing of barnyard manure had been applied to two acres for the purpose of comparison4 ,one week later the roller was run over it again4 ,after this the ground was thoroughly torn up with a two-horse cultivator4 ,this was for the purpose of killing the weeds1 which had been given time to take a start4 ,after the cultivator had thoroughly torn up the ground1 the field was harrowed twice both ways4 ,it was then rolled1 and pronounced in first-class condition4 ,the weeds had succumbed to these repeated attacks and but very few appeared in the crop later4 ,this thorough preparation of the ground is absolutely necessary for the successful starting of alfalfa4 ,it is a fastidious plant1 requiring the most favorable surroundings in its early life1 but gradually grows quite robust and strong4 ,its early weeks seem to be the critical time in its life1 and if it can once be started well its thrifty nature will assert itself and it will grow with amazing rapidity4 ,on ,june #aa the seed was planted4 ,it was sown broadcast and harrowed in lightly4 ,one hundred pounds pure alfalfa seed were sown1 which was #bj pounds to the acre4 ,the experience of many others is that #ae pounds per acre is better4 ,the seed was first treated with bacteria1 procured from the department of agriculture at ,washington1 and when the seeds were thoroughly dry1 they were planted4 ,exactly five weeks after the seed was planted1 the crop was #a foot high and covered the ground everywhere4 ,on that day it was clipped first and later given two more clippings during the season4 ,the effect of the clipping was to cause the crop to become more stalky1 and spread out more over the ground4 ,none of the crop was removed from the soil last year1 the three clippings being allowed to remain about the roots as a mulch4 ,this was regarded as highly important and its effect was noticeable in the perfect manner in which the crop passed through the winter4 ,early this spring it started to grow and on ,april #ah the plants averaged #ab inches high all over the tract4 ,mr4 ,hollingsworth is a firm believer in the efficacy of the bacterial treatment of the seed before planting4 ,he attributes the wonderful growth of this crop to the effect of the organisms produced by inoculation4 ,it is interesting to note the effect of the top-dressing which was applied to two acres of the tract4 ,the crop on that part of the ground is larger and more luxuriant than the part that received no dressing4 ,the crop all over the tract appears vigorous and healthy1 but the two acres show a decided improvement and superiority40 ,illustration3 ,cutting ,alfalfa in ,southern ,california ,illustration3 ,bailing ,alfalfa in ,southern ,oklahoma ,illustration3 ,a #djj-ton ,rick of ,alfalfa in ,malheur ,county1 southeastern ,oregon4 ,dimensions1 #djjx#cjx#bf feet ,illustration3 ,a ,cable ,derrick1 ,provided with a ,grapple ,fork ,the cable is supported by poles at the ends1 and these in turn by guy ropes ,farmers ,guide says3--,with alfalfa more generally grown throughout ,indiana we are hearing less complaint regarding hay crop failures4 ,in fact1 some farmers who have taken our advice and tried the crop are now saying that they are having all they can do to take care of their crops of hay4 ,think of cutting four or even three crops of good hay from the same area each season4 ,isn't it worth being busy and not going fishing when a farmer can do that8 ,it means an enormous saving in high-priced land when ten acres will produce as much hay as thirty or more formerly did1 and hay better in quality also4 ,and then1 think of keeping a field in meadow thirty1 forty1 or more years and having it growing better each year4 ,there is not much necessity for crop rotation under those conditions1 is there8 especially when every season means three or four crops of good hay4 ,but that is the way with alfalfa and the more farmers get of it the more they usually want4 ,we are glad so many ,indiana farmers are getting busy with this crop1 and there is no question of its keeping them busy if they will only give it a trial4 ,,iowa4 ,prof ,m4 ,l4 ,bowman1 ,department ,farm ,crops1 ,iowa experiment station4--,we are receiving very good results from the alfalfa which is being grown at this station1 making from three to four cuttings each season with the yield ranging from #d to #g tons to the acre4 ,from one field1 seeded in ,august1 #aije1 the first cutting was taken ,june #aa1 #aijf1 and yielded #b4ag tons per acre4 ,two other cuttings were made4 ,we believe alfalfa is sure to become one of ,iowa's great crops as desirable results are being obtained in many parts of the state where land is properly seeded4 ,we take great pains to see that the ground is in good physical condition and that the seed is sown in late summer1 some time between ,august #e and #ae1 so that the young plants will make sufficient growth to withstand the winter4 ,if the seeding takes place in the fall1 the alfalfa plants will not make sufficient growth to withstand the winter4 ,alfalfa should not be pastured the first season4 ,the growth from seeding time until winter sets in should be #f to #h inches and should be left on the ground for winter protection4 ,a nurse crop should not be used4 ,alfalfa will not do well on low1 wet ground1 but must have land that is well drained4 ,in the northern parts of the state it may be sown in the spring1 and in this case desirable results have been secured by using a nurse crop4 ,if oats are used at all1 they should be an early variety4 ,wheat or barley is much better4 ,they are not so likely to lodge4 ,if the nurse crop is heavy1 a poor stand of alfalfa is almost sure to follow4 ,not more than one-half the usual amount of grain should be sown to the acre4 ,better results may be expected if no nurse crop is used4 ,in this case1 it will be necessary for the weeds to be mowed down two or three times during the summer1 so that the alfalfa will not be choked out4 ,it is better to sow in the spring than late in the fall4 ,late summer seeding is the best4 ,the following year it will be freer from weeds and have a better stand than that which was sown the spring before4 ,cornstalk ground which was well manured the year before for corn is generally used for spring seeding4 ,the stalks should first be removed4 ,the field may then be thoroughly disked and harrowed4 ,the seed should be sown about the middle of ,april4 ,,kansas4 ,c4 ,d4 ,perry1 ,clark county4--,in #ahhg1 ,i sowed #bjj acres of alfalfa1 and now have #bgj acres4 ,this is nearly all on second bottom land1 with black1 sandy loam1 black sand1 and gumbo4 ,the land is largely 8made0 land1 about #f to #ab feet of good soil1 with gumbo only on top for #ab or #ad inches4 ,on the heavy land the dry soil begins at the top1 and1 at the breaking of the sod1 extended down eight or nine feet4 ,water is found at a depth of #ab to #ba feet4 ,we irrigate most of our crop from the ,cimarron river4 ,the first time the land is watered it takes from two to five times as much water as is required later1 and now we find the best results are obtained by watering about #aj days before cutting1 using three or four inches of water4 ,there is no damage by frost1 except on low1 wet land4 ,without irrigation1 ,i should double plow the ground before seeding1 having one plow follow the other in the same furrow1 and going as deep as possible4 ,seed by drilling one-half to one inch deep1 #aj pounds to the acre for seed1 #bj pounds for hay1 and #cj pounds for pasture1 usually about ,march #ae here4 ,we mow the weeds the first year before they seed1 leaving them on the ground4 ,after this1 there will be a yield of three-fourths to two tons of hay1 or one to six bushels of seed to the acre1 depending on the season4 ,in two or three years the plant is at its best1 and does not seem to need reseeding after that4 ,we have from three to five crops a year depending on promptness in watering and cutting4 ,any later cutting is better than the first for seed1 and1 before cutting1 two-thirds of the seed pods should be black4 ,we mow1 then rake and cock at once1 stacking as soon as well cured4 ,hay should be cut when it is coming into bloom4 ,to make good hay1 let it lie for half a day 7if dry weather71 then rake and cock1 and let cure thoroughly4 ,we stack in long ricks1 and it keeps well4 ,the alfalfa land is valued at #ej an acre1 and the four irrigations cost #be cents each2 the estimated cost of the alfalfa in the stack is #b4ae a ton4 ,an average yield of seed is three bushels to the acre1 and the cost of threshing and cleaning it is #hj cents a bushel4 ,hay has sold for #e a ton1 and seed for #f1 #h and #aj cents a pound4 ,the threshed hay is not so good as that cut earlier1 but cattle eat it all clean4 ,the pasture is excellent for horses1 hogs1 and cattle4 ,if the alfalfa is wet1 it is liable to cause bloating with sheep2 for cattle1 there is not much danger1 except for the first few days they are turned on4 ,if the animal is seen in time1 it may be relieved by driving around1 but if too bad to be helped in that way1 it needs the trocar4 ,i have had #ej hogs on six acres of pasture this summer1 and have #ej pigs1 #c to #ab weeks old2 used two bushels of ground wheat and barley each day1 and think ,i could have had as many more hogs on the pasture4 ,the sod is very hard to plow1 but it can be killed4 ,on a piece of hog pasture plowed under1 ,i raised #gj bushels of barley to the acre4 ,my alfalfa seems to do the best on black1 sandy land and on gumbo1 with sand or open subsoil below4 ,j4 ,r4 ,blackshere1 ,chase county4--,i began with alfalfa in #ahge1 by sowing #a bushels of seed bought in ,san ,francisco1 at the rate of #ba per bushel4 ,as the germination was defective1 or the seed grown so far away was not adapted to our soil or climatic conditions1 a good stand was not at first obtained1 but ,i now have #gjj acres on ,cottonwood river bottom land1 having a clay subsoil underlaid by a layer of sand #bj feet below1 and with a good portion of gumbo1 where the best alfalfa grows4 ,the soil is not especially moist until water1 #bj to #cj feet below1 is reached4 ,my best results have been obtained on corn land1 cutting across the rows with a disk harrow1 leveling with a plank drag1 and sowing1 after danger of freezing is past1 #bj pounds of seed per acre with a disk having seeder attachment1 being sure to have all the seed covered4 ,i cut the weeds off with a mower1 and leave them on the ground4 ,after the first year my average product annually for #aj or #ab years has been about five tons per acre4 ,that permitted to ripen seed yields three to five bushels per acre4 ,i do not irrigate4 ,the plant will thrive on upland having a clay subsoil without a stratum of hardpan4 ,grazed closely late in the fall1 it is liable to die out in a dry winter4 ,benj4 ,brown1 ,osborne county4--,i have had four years' experience with alfalfa growing in this country1 and have also grown it in ,england1 without any irrigation1 and now have #de acres4 ,the land is bottom rising to second bottom1 with vegetable loam and some gumbo in the upper portion1 and loam subsoil1 similar to surface1 but somewhat paler1 for #ae feet down4 ,well water is found by digging #aa to #bb feet through the soil1 which is usually moist except in dry weather1 when the upper two or three feet are not4 ,it has been found best to plow six inches deep1 in ,august or ,september2 to roll or level with a heavy float about ,april #ae1 then harrow1 and broadcast #be pounds 7or drill #bj pounds7 of seed to the acre4 ,i broadcast all of mine1 and harrow and roll or level4 ,the best time for sowing here is ,april #ad to #cj1 as it almost invariably rains here about ,april #bj1 and frosts have never hurt my crop1 nor does it winterkill4 ,mow first when the weeds are six to nine inches high1 and1 if worth hauling1 stack2 if not1 let lie2 generally mow again about ,july #d to #bj1 and stack2 there may be one-fourth to one-half ton of hay per acre4 ,the second season we cut three times1 unless we ripen seed1 and obtain from one-fourth to one ton each cutting2 after this it grows about a foot high by ,october4 ,for hay1 mow as soon as about half full of flowers1 rake the same morning1 and haul in one or two days1 as the leaves fall if dry4 ,it does not heat nor mold here if the sap is half out and the straw long2 ,i use the 8,acme0 hay harvester1 making stacks with rounded ends1 nine steps long by five wide1 and top out with straw or hay1 taking care to keep the middle well filled4 ,the total cost of hay in stack is about #a4ej per ton1 the land being valued at #ae per acre1 or #fj with a good stand of alfalfa4 ,the hay has sold for #d to #f per ton during the past four years4 ,the best crop for seed depends on the weather2 sometimes the first flowers set best1 and again the later ones do better2 on my bottom land the plant grows too large for seed1 unless in a dry time4 ,if seed is ripe1 cut only while damp or in the early morning1 rake into rows immediately or early the next morning1 haul with a 8,monarch0 rake1 and use a stacker4 ,last year and year before ,i obtained four bushels of seed to the acre1 and it cost me #fj cents per bushel for cleaning4 ,used ordinary threshing outfit1 and set hind end of thresher #aj inches lower than front4 ,the seed has sold here during four years for #e to #h per bushel4 ,horses and sheep should not be pastured on the alfalfa1 as it pays to mow and haul it to them1 either green or dry4 ,it makes good pasturage for cattle1 but they must not be turned on when the ground is frozen1 nor when they are hungry1 as it is necessary to start them gradually to avoid bloating4 ,mine never have bloated1 and ,i feed milch cows in the early spring and on the fourth crop in the fall4 ,alfalfa ripened and threshed has little value1 as it breaks up into dust and chaff4 ,my stand improved every year2 was about at its best the sixth year1 and continues about the same for an indefinite time4 ,if it gets a fair start1 and is cut three times1 a good stand can be kept2 but if it is pastured1 and the weeds are not eaten1 it is apt to thin itself4 ,a neighbor plowed under alfalfa for green manure1 but the next year it grew up as thick and strong as if not plowed4 ,we do not need manure here4 ,i have seen several pieces of fairly good alfalfa on high prairie1 with some gumbo in the soil1 but it grows best where the subsoil is fairly open4 ,upland is generally best for seed1 as the plants should grow only one to two feet high1 and mine on the bottom grows #b to #c after the second year4 ,i think there is no other crop here to compare with alfalfa4 ,my third year's crop cleared me over #bj per acre4 ,i have known of nine bushels of seed on one acre1 and have heard of #ae in this county4 ,my bottom lands will grow three good crops of hay almost without rain1 and kill out all the weeds4 ,,kentucky ,prof4 ,h4 ,garman1 ,botanist ,kentucky experiment station4--,we have grown alfalfa on the experiment farm for a good many years and have been impressed with its many good qualities1 although we have not found it as well adapted to our soil and climate as it appears to be in the western states4 ,in our small experimental plots1 on good soil1 it has recently done remarkably well4 ,this is partly the result of understanding it better than formerly1 and partly due to the care which these plots receive4 ,last year we harvested1 from some of them1 hay at the rate of from #f4cb to #aj4jc tons per acre4 ,the same plots are yielding very well this season1 but ,i think will not produce quite as much hay as last year1 though they look very well at present4 ,farmers in this state are becoming interested in alfalfa1 stimulated by the reports made to them at farmers' institutes1 and urged by failure to grow ,red clover successfully in some parts of the state4 ,but thus far they have not met with uniform success4 ,part of this is due to a lack of acquaintance with the plant and part may be attributed to our climate4 ,a few men have been growing alfalfa successfully for eight or #aj years1 and ,i can see no reason why many others should not succeed with it4 ,the chief difficulty appears to come in getting a start4 ,alfalfa1 thoroughly started1 holds its own better than ,red clover and yields much more forage4 ,the value of the forage is recognized by everybody1 and ,i expect to see in the course of the next quarter of a century a much larger acreage sown in ,kentucky4 ,,louisiana4 ,prof4 ,w4 ,r4 ,dodson1 ,director ,louisiana experiment station4--,alfalfa has been grown by the ,louisiana stations since #ahhg4 ,at the time the stations were established there was little or no alfalfa grown in the state4 ,from the very first experiments conducted by ,dr4 ,w4 ,c4 ,stubbs1 it was apparent that the plant was well suited to the alluvial lands of the ,mississippi and ,red rivers4 ,dr4 ,stubbs never lost an opportunity to advocate its culture1 and the great progress made in securing its extensive cultivation is largely due to his efforts4 ,alfalfa is now extensively grown in the ,red river bottoms1 and a very large percentage of the sugar planters grow it for soiling and for hay for the plantation mules4 ,we get from four to seven cuttings per year4 ,the average is about #a tons for the first three cuttings1 but less for the last cuttings4 ,the station one year secured a harvest of #ab tons of cured hay per acre2 six tons in a season is a good yield4 ,were it not that one or more of these cuttings will fall due during a rainy season1 when it is difficult to cure hay1 we would go into the business very extensively in this state4 ,as to the quality of the hay or forage1 there is no question about its place at the head of the list of desirable forage crops4 ,the sugar planters find it especially desirable to mix with their cheap molasses1 as the former is rich in protein and the latter rich in carbohydrates4 ,in the southern portion of the state best results are secured by planting in the fall4 ,in the northern portion good results are secured from early spring planting4 ,we use from #be to #cj pounds of seed to the acre4 ,some planters use more than this4 ,land that is least suited for growing corn in ,louisiana1 because of its stiffness1 is the very best land for alfalfa4 ,where the crop has once been used and the local supply runs short1 it is shipped in from ,colorado to supply the demand4 ,it is selling now for #ae a ton4 ,no better testimonial need be given of the people's estimate of its value4 ,,massachusetts4 ,prof4 ,william ,p4 ,brooks1 ,director ,hatch experiment station4--,our experiments with alfalfa have been continued both upon our own grounds and those of a few selected farms in different parts of the state4 ,we are bringing to bear upon these experiments information in regard to successful methods from every possible source4 ,we find in all cases a distinct benefit from a heavy initial application of lime4 ,we have used from #b1jjj to #c1jjj pounds per acre4 ,we are enriching soils already naturally good by heavy applications both of manures and fertilizers1 using materials which experience has proved best4 ,we are also giving the soil a most thorough preparatory tillage4 ,it has usually been fall-plowed1 and in addition it is plowed in the spring1 and repeatedly harrowed to destroy weeds which start in the early part of the season4 ,we have tried inoculating the soil1 both with earth obtained from a field in ,new ,york1 where alfalfa is successfully grown and with the cultures sent out by the department of agriculture and prepared by private firms4 ,we have not attained such degree of success as justifies us in recommending the crop4 ,we have occasionally got a fair stand of alfalfa1 but in all cases the winters prove more or less injurious4 ,in the course of a few years the alfalfa is mostly crowded out by grasses and clovers4 ,the alfalfa almost every year suffers from leaf spot1 which tends to cut down the yield4 ,we have found a very distinct benefit from the inoculation with earth from the ,new ,york alfalfa field4 ,we have not found an equally distinct benefit to follow inoculation with any of the cultures2 and1 although we are not as yet ready to make a final report1 it should be here remarked that the most careful experiments on the use of these cultures in sterilized soils1 under conditions calculated to give accurate results1 indicate that they have little1 if any1 value4 ,in our various experiments alfalfa has been tried on a wide variety of soils4 ,we have had a quarter of an acre field upon a coarse-textured soil upon a farm in this neighborhood where there is never any standing water within #ej to #fj feet of the surface4 ,even on this soil the alfalfa1 although it did fairly well for a year1 has been injured by successive winters1 until it is at the present time almost ruined4 ,in this connection ,i call attention further to the fact that ,d4 ,s4 ,bliss of the department of agriculture1 who has been making special efforts to promote the introduction of alfalfa into ,new ,england1 and who has traveled extensively for the purpose of studying the results obtained1 now speaks very discouragingly as to the outlook in general4 ,in conclusion1 while we are not inclined to discourage experiments with alfalfa1 we do wish most emphatically to caution against engaging in these experiments upon an extended scale1 for we feel that disappointment is almost inevitable4 ,,michigan ,prof4 ,c4 ,d4 ,smith1 ,director ,michigan experiment station4--,alfalfa has had and is having a checkered career4 ,under favorable conditions it makes a good stand4 ,some fields have produced crops for many years1 the ground being occasionally fertilized by manurial salts4 ,the difficulties that environ the crop are3 7#a7 ,the severe winters1 which sometimes kill off whole fields1 leaving scarcely a root alive2 this has happened to fields two1 three1 or four years old4 7#b7 ,the ,blue grass crowds it out badly2 7#c7 the ignorance of the farmers in regard to the requirements of the crop and the consequent imperfect preparation of the soil in the matter of tillage or fertilization1 has made it difficult to introduce it in a broad way4 ,notwithstanding these difficulties and the farther consideration that alfalfa does not easily lend itself to a short rotation1 the crop is advancing in the state by leaps and bounds4 ,hundreds of farmers are experimenting with it and are learning how to prepare the ground1 sow it and care for the crop afterwards4 ,statistics are not at hand to show how many acres of alfalfa there are in the state1 nor can definite figures be given as to the growth of interest in the crop and its actual acreage4 ,when proper strains have been developed1 it seems fair to presume that alfalfa will be one of the staple crops in ,michigan4 ,on the station grounds at the agricultural college fields of alfalfa have been continuously maintained from #ahig to #aijd4 ,there are fields here sown in #aijc bearing their three crops each year1 yielding from #e to #g tons of dry hay annually per acre4 ,there has been some difficulty in getting pure and vigorous seed4 ,,minnesota ,prof4 ,w4 ,m4 ,liggett1 ,director ,minnesota experiment station4--,our experience with alfalfa has extended over #ab or #ae years4 ,in the early days of this station1 it was not very successfully grown4 ,during the past eight or ten years1 however1 the changes in soil due to manures and cultivation and the discovery of several varieties of alfalfa which appear to be hardy1 have made it possible to grow it successfully in nearly every part of the state4 ,for the past five years we have cut three crops of alfalfa hay1 yielding from #d to #e tons per acre each year4 ,with the land properly prepared and some attention given to seeding at the right time1 there is no difficulty in growing it on the state farm4 ,occasionally it will winterkill4 ,we were unfortunate enough to have a heavy1 driving rain during ,march of the present year which froze as it fell and smothered the alfalfa crop4 ,we are not discouraged1 however1 as the clover crop in southeastern ,minnesota was killed at the same time and from the same cause4 ,we regard alfalfa just as sure as ,red clover4 ,it is sometimes a little difficult to get a stand under careless methods of farming4 ,with the land nicely prepared and with a good supply of humus in such condition that the plant food is readily available1 strong1 vigorous growth and a good stand can be secured during any normal year4 ,we have alfalfa growing at the northwest sub-station at ,crookston1 and in several localities in the northwestern part of the state1 where even clover is not supposed to grow4 ,the outlook at the present time for this crop is very bright4 ,dairymen1 swine raisers and sheep men unite in praising its merits as stock food4 ,,missouri ,prof4 ,m4 ,f4 ,miller1 ,agronomist1 ,missouri experiment station4--,alfalfa is being grown with success on various types of soil1 although many soils are not well adapted to its growth4 ,a knowledge of the peculiarities of the plant will ultimately make it possible to extend ,its culture to most soil types of the state4 ,liberal manuring is the key to successful culture on upland soils4 ,the manure may be applied before plowing and also as frequent top-dressings4 ,the value of the crop as a feed and its high yield1 where favorable conditions are supplied1 make it a particularly desirable one to grow1 at least in small areas1 on farms where mixed fanning or dairy farming is practiced4 ,while alfalfa makes a most nutritious pasture crop1 it does not lend itself well to pasturing unless certain precautions are taken4 ,where it is grown for hay1 difficulty is often experienced in harvesting the first1 and sometimes other cuttings1 on account of wet weather4 ,the silo may be used in such cases4 ,the stiff subsoils of the state are responsible for most failures reported1 because it requires some knowledge of the methods of handling the crop to make it succeed under such conditions4 ,alfalfa is not adapted to our soils1 liming1 manuring or drainage being necessary to prepare such for the crop4 ,if sown on upland soils that have never grown alfalfa or ,sweet clover1 it is benefited by inoculation4 ,on bottom lands or lands that are very fertile1 inoculation has little or no effect4 ,the surest and often the simplest means of inoculation is by means of inoculated soil4 ,the cultures prepared for seed inoculation have in many cases given excellent results1 but they are still in the experimental stage and some skill is required to handle them properly4 ,the best preparation of the seedbed is that which allows of an early plowing and the use of a harrow every time a crust forms or weeds start before time to sow the seed4 ,the seedbed should be much like that for wheat--loose above but firm below4 ,the best time to sow in this state is between the middle of ,august and the middle of ,september1 the last week in ,august usually giving best results4 ,the amount of seed to sow is between #ae and #bj pounds1 depending upon the quality and the character of the soil4 ,it is best sown without a nurse crop4 ,it must be clipped frequently the first and sometimes the second season1 especially on soils to which it is not well adapted4 ,it should usually be cut when the lower leaves begin to turn yellow4 ,,montana ,alfred ,rasicot1 ,deer ,lodge county4--,alfalfa is the most valuable crop that is raised in ,idaho or ,utah for hay1 growing on any kind of land but that which is low and wet1 yielding five to seven tons of hay to the acre1 and providing excellent feed for all kinds of farm animals4 ,for about #bj years ,i have grown from #bj to #ej acres on second bottom and upland of heavy clay soil1 with gravel below and water at a depth varying from #af to #ajj feet on different localities4 ,we irrigate from streams1 flooding the land and turning the water off as soon as the land has been all covered1 applying once for the first cutting and twice for each succeeding cutting1 whenever the ground is dry4 ,the first year on new land requires fully one-third more water than is needed afterward4 ,before seeding1 the ground should be mellow1 then harrowed with the back part of the harrow or brushed1 and seeded with #ae to #bj pounds to the acre1 between the first and middle of ,april4 ,the plant will usually run out the weeds1 and on that account no special treatment is needed4 ,the first season will produce a small crop of hay1 but no good seed4 ,unless water is allowed to freeze on the land1 alfalfa does not winterkill here1 and at two or three years of age it is at its best1 continuing vigorous for #aj1 #bj or #cj years without seeding4 ,the first cutting of the season yields about #b to #c tons to the acre1 the second about #b to #b1 and the third #a to #a tons4 ,the hay is cut when the plant has been in bloom #h or #aj days1 allowed to lie for #bd to #cf hours1 and treated as ,red clover is4 ,the second crop is always the best for seed here4 ,the cost in the stack1 on #be land1 irrigation costing #ej to #ge cents an acre1 is #b a ton4 ,to put this into #ajj-pound bales costs #b4ej a ton4 ,on the ground it sells for #c to #e a ton1 while the seed brings #c1 #d and #e a bushel4 ,an ordinary yield of seed is #cjj pounds to the acre1 and this is threshed with the same machine used for grain1 at a cost of about one-fourth of the seed4 ,the straw is worth about one-fourth as much as the hay4 ,we consider alfalfa hay1 for cattle1 sheep1 and hogs1 far superior to clover1 but for horses timothy is best4 ,it will keep steers and sheep fat all winter1 providing they are under shelter1 and is excellent for milch cows4 ,the pasture for swine and cattle is far better than clover1 and for work horses and sheep it is good1 but not the best for horses that are driven fast4 ,cattle will bloat about as they do on ,red clover when turned onto it after rain1 dew1 or frost4 ,to rid land of a stand of alfalfa is very difficult1 requiring four stout horses with a very sharp plow to turn it over1 but as a green manure it has about the same effect as ,red clover1 producing two or three extra crops afterwards4 ,,nebraska ,olmstead ,olmstead1 ,furnas county4--,alfalfa1 while excellent for all other stock1 is preeminently the feed for hogs4 ,its early appearance1 its wonderfully rapid growth1 its nutritious properties1 its perennial nature 7keeping green until about ,december71 its resistance to drouth1 its wonderful fecundity1 and1 lastly1 its adaptability as a dry feed1 make it1 in our opinion1 the most profitable crop that can be grown4 ,ten acres of alfalfa will pasture #aej head of hogs1 and give them abundance4 ,from the #aeth of ,march1 or at most not later than the #aeth of ,april1 hogs and cattle can be turned on pasture1 and kept there until snow flies4 ,on first bottoms1 six tons per acre can be depended upon as a fair1 average yield1 while many fields this year have made as high as eight4 ,on divide1 or high land1 where it has been tested for three years1 it averages about two to four tons per acre1 but this land gives the best returns for seed1 not growing too rank4 ,since we have been investigating and gathering information on this subject1 we have had reported to us a yield as high as eight bushels of seed per acre1 and quite a number as high as nine1 and some eleven4 ,six bushels an acre on a good stand is an average yield1 while some will fall below that4 ,the seed has never sold here below #d per bushel4 ,last year and this1 all seed grown in this part of the country sold readily at #e per bushel1 and for the next five years will probably not go lower than #c4 ,one crop of seed and two of hay are the average on low land1 and one crop less of hay on high land4 ,the threshed hay is nearly as good for feed as the unthreshed4 ,there is no waste in feeding this hay1 and horses are especially fond of the coarse stems4 ,it stands our winters remarkably well1 so far1 coming through in excellent condition4 ,there is no stock but eats alfalfa hay as well or better than clover or timothy4 ,young colts and calves will winter in fine condition on this hay1 with little or no grain4 ,if the last cutting is allowed to stand1 with a growth from six to eight inches1 horses and cattle will graze on it through the winter1 the same as on ,red clover1 doing equally as well4 ,now1 as to the other side4 ,will this clover grow in all latitudes and longitudes as well as ,red clover8 ,we think it doubtful4 ,it requires a dry1 porous soil1 in which there is no hardpan nor too much clay1 and it does not like too much water4 ,it does well where the soil is somewhat sandy1 its roots penetrating to a depth of from #ae to #be feet1 thus drawing its nutrition from various strata of soil4 ,what else against it8 ,if cattle are turned on after a rain1 when it is wet1 or dew is on1 they often bloat and die2 but if turned on in the spring1 and kept on continuously1 have little danger of gorging themselves or bloating4 ,no other stock is adversely affected by it4 ,this is all that can be honestly said against alfalfa1 and this is obviated by a little care by the farmer1 while the many good things said about it must certainly recommend it to the intelligent husbandman4 ,thus we can enumerate3 ,first1 its certainty as a crop2 second1 its enormous yield2 third1 its excellent pasturage qualities2 fourth1 its nutritious qualities1 being equally good green or dry2 fifth1 its yield and price of seed1 which is threshed with an ordinary grain separator2 sixth1 its tremendously rapid growth during the summer season4 ,there are many more attributes that can be credited to alfalfa4 ,w4 ,o4 ,thompson1 ,lincoln county4--,i have had #bj years' experience with alfalfa1 on second bottom and upland4 ,the upland has a clay subsoil2 the second bottom soil is three feet deep1 underlaid with a bed of sand and gravel4 ,abundant water is found from #h to #bc feet from the surface4 ,if dry soil is found1 it is the first three feet below the surface4 ,land should be tilled several years before seeding1 in order to perfectly subdue the sod4 ,use about #af pounds of seed per acre1 and prepare the ground the same as for wheat1 sowing in the spring4 ,the first crop will be nearly all weeds2 cut and haul these off the ground4 ,the second crop will produce about one ton of hay per acre4 ,alfalfa is liable to winterkill if the winter is warm and dry4 ,i irrigate from a stream two or three times during the season1 with sufficient water to flood all the ground4 ,the first year the ground is soft and porous1 and twice the water is required as in the following years4 ,from three to four crops are raised during the season1 yielding from #a to #b tons each cutting1 or from five to six tons per acre in one season4 ,cut when in bloom for hay1 and let the seed ripen before cutting for seed1 using either the first or second crop for this seed4 ,when cutting for seed1 it should be pitched out of the way of the mower after each round2 then let it dry before stacking1 but not enough for the leaves to fall off when handled4 ,stack in the ordinary way1 but be sure the hay is thoroughly dry in the shock before stacking4 ,it is more liable to get moldy in the barn than in the stack4 ,about #b per ton will cover all expenses of raising1 on land worth #ej per acre4 ,the expense of baling is about #a4ej per ton1 #ajj-pound bales being preferred4 ,it should not be baled until perfectly dry in the stack4 ,about six bushels per acre is the average yield of seed1 and it costs about #ge cents per bushel to thresh and clean4 ,a clover huller is the most satisfactory for threshing alfalfa4 ,the hay has sold here at #c to #aj per ton1 averaging #f4 ,the seed has brought from #c to #aj per bushel averaging #e4 ,one acre of alfalfa will raise #ce hogs1 with the aid of a little grain4 ,horses thrive on it1 but it is unsafe for sheep and cattle4 ,animals which chew the cud will bloat if pastured on alfalfa4 ,the only way to prevent it is to keep them from the pasture4 ,the best way to cure it is to insert a tube into the paunch1 to allow the gas to escape4 ,as to the longevity of the plant1 ,i call to mind a patch sown in #ahgc1 on upland1 and it is still growing4 ,alfalfa attains its best growth in about two years4 ,i do not think it can be profitably raised on high1 arid ground1 without irrigation4 ,hogs can be wintered on alfalfa hay and a very little grain1 and cattle can be fattened for the home market1 but it produces softer flesh1 and they could not be shipped a great distance in the best condition4 ,richard ,stolley1 ,hall county4--,in reading the farm papers ,i see many articles about seeding alfalfa1 but have failed to see anything in the line of advice regarding a sure way to kill it1 if it has to be done4 ,we have had alfalfa on our place as long as ,i can remember--nearly thirty years4 ,at first it was a small piece1 just for experiment's sake4 ,finally we sowed about nine acres on good soil and had it well manured before sowing4 ,the result was immense crops1 as high as four cuttings2 and1 really1 the worst feature was to harvest the crop so often1 since it came just as regularly as clock-work4 ,it actually stood in the way of alfalfa1 for ,i asked one of our neighbors1 who had very little hay1 why he did not sow alfalfa1 and all he could answer was3 8,well1 ,i have to harvest it too often and ,i haven't the time to do it40 ,we did not sow more of it until we got more improved methods of handling it1 and we have had as high as fifty to sixty acres on a #afj-;acre farm here at home4 ,some fields run out in about ten years4 ,our plan is to then plow it up4 ,the first thing you learn is to have a very sharp plow1 and it must have a strong cutter bolted to the share1 being long enough to reach well through the sod4 ,then if you have three good horses you are fixed out4 ,a riding plow that we tried was thrown out too easily or pulled too hard4 ,others had the same experience1 and the old reliable fourteen or sixteen-inch walking plow fills the bill best4 ,we plowed some of it quite early in the spring and after harvesting the oats we had a wonderful stand on the field in the fall4 ,all the inconvenience the clover had was to take a little time to start work at the crown and start sprout at the other end2 that is the root end4 ,i do not know of any other plant that is not a weed that has this peculiarity4 ,planting corn on alfalfa sod cannot work well1 because the roots are so tough that no cultivator will be able to cut them1 and since burning does not make any difference1 it only has a tendency to start roots and sprouts at both ends at the same time4 ,this is1 of course1 only possible in a wet year4 ,now1 we tried late plowing in the spring2 that is1 let the clover get up to about six or eight inches4 ,we had a chain on the plow and disked and harrowed it well1 and to kill it sure1 put in millet to smother it4 ,we intended to raise seed from the millet1 but the crop got too heavy and we cut it for hay4 ,after putting it up ,i saw very little alfalfa signs and went home contented that all was dead4 ,some nice rains came on and soon ,i noticed from our house1 since ,i did not go to that corner of the farm in between1 that all of it was green again1 and sure enough1 there was a comparatively good stand and the sprouts showed quite a bit of vigor4 ,this surprised me4 ,i had no time to plow right away and having a large harvest of bottom hay1 ,i did not go to the field for three weeks1 and when ,i saw it again it was just about ready to cut4 ,i actually did cut and harvest it and it was well worth the time it took us to do the work4 ,the next plowing and disking1 of course1 thinned it out1 and especially as dry weather came just right to assist in killing it4 ,all this made it clear to my mind that we did not find the right time to plow alfalfa1 so the next time ,i tried it still later2 in fact1 it was almost in bloom1 and1 being a wet year1 there was little difference in the result4 ,this year ,i waited the second time for the alfalfa to come up a foot high before plowing it back and drilled in sweet corn1 and now ,i can hardly see any difference on parts of the field4 ,,new ,,hampshire ,prof4 ,frederick ,w4 ,taylor1 ,agriculturist ,new ,hampshire experiment station4--,we have tried to secure a stand of alfalfa for four consecutive seasons1 but so far our efforts have been unsuccessful4 ,various types of soil1 from a heavy boulder clay to a light sandy loam1 have been tried1 and1 contrary to our expectations1 the most promising crop was on the heavy clay soil4 ,our chief difficulty has been in having the alfalfa keep ahead of the weeds and in getting a uniform catch that would withstand our winters4 ,from one-fourth to one-half of the plants have usually wintered over in good condition and made a vigorous growth the next season1 but there has not been enough of them to say that we have made a success with alfalfa4 ,we have largely eliminated the seed question by plowing the ground early and keeping it harrowed until about the middle of ,july1 when it is sown4 ,our experience seems to indicate that an application of lime is beneficial1 if not absolutely necessary1 in this section and we have accordingly been using it at the rate of a ton to the acre4 ,we have also tried inoculation with the various cultures1 but in no case have any benefits been observed4 ,so far as we know1 there have been no successful attempts to grow alfalfa on a medium or large scale in this state1 although several farmers in the ,connecticut river valley have reported success on some areas of an acre or less4 ,when we more thoroughly understand the plant1 and the conditions necessary for its growth1 we believe it can be grown upon some of our soils4 ,,new ,,jersey ,dr4 ,e4 ,b4 ,voorhees1 ,director ,new ,jersey experiment station4--,the farmers of the state have manifested much interest in the growing of alfalfa1 and many experimental plots have been seeded in the past two or three years4 ,in order to obtain accurate information as to the methods employed1 and the results obtained1 a circular letter was sent out during the past summer to #adj growers4 ,detailed replies were obtained from #aja growers4 ,of these there were #eg distributed over #ae counties1 which showed the successful establishment of the crop4 ,the soils upon which these successful crops are growing vary widely1 both in their physical and chemical character1 ranging from a light1 sandy loam1 with sandy subsoil1 to a medium heavy clay1 with compact clay subsoil1 which indicates clearly that success does not depend so much upon the character of the soil as upon the methods of seeding1 fertilization and after-treatment1 though the most successful stands were1 as a rule1 obtained upon sandy soils1 overlying a reasonably open subsoil4 ,twenty-seven growers had a more or less satisfactory experience1 while #ag were absolute failures4 ,a study of the reports of failures shows that in most instances they were due to lack of observation of the methods recommended for the seeding and care of the crop1 which experience at the station showed to be essential for success4 ,in most cases the land was imperfectly prepared2 in many an insufficient amount of fertilizer or manure was applied4 ,in many cases1 too little seed was used2 in others the date of seeding was contrary to all recommendations1 or the crop was not clipped often1 and thus choked out by weeds4 ,in many instances1 where lime had not been used for many years1 none was applied at the time of seeding4 ,in the case of those having more or less success1 the recommendations were not fully observed or soil conditions were imperfect4 ,d4 ,c4 ,lewis of ,middlesex county1 in the summer of #aijc seeded about #a acres with alfalfa1 observing closely all of the recommendations of the experiment station in reference to seeding1 but did not inoculate the soil4 ,the seed germinated well1 and the crop grew nicely during the fall1 but entirely disappeared later4 ,in #aijd1 the same area1 after an oat crop was grown1 was seeded again1 on ,august #aj4 ,the soil is a clay loam1 with a clay subsoil1 and in a good state of fertility4 ,the land had been previously in grass and corn4 ,the corn was manured and the alfalfa area well limed previous to seeding in #aijc4 ,the seed was at the rate of about #be pounds1 and at time of seeding #hjj pounds of ,mapes' fertilizer and an extra bag of high-grade sulphate of potash were applied1 and the field was inoculated with about #cjj pounds of soil1 taken from the old alfalfa patch at the experiment station4 ,the seed germinated well1 and made a rapid and large fall growth and passed the winter successfully4 ,the yield per acre was about three tons of hay for the first cutting4 ,this experiment is strikingly suggestive in showing the importance of soil inoculation1 for while inoculation is not apparently essential in all cases1 it would seem that where soils have not been heavily manured that this point should be carefully observed4 ,j4 ,p4 ,nelson of ,monmouth county has had a very successful experience in the growth of alfalfa1 since he has observed all of the recommendations made as to methods of seeding and after-treatment4 ,the following is a description of his method and the results obtained from a seeding made ,august #aj1 #aijd4 ,the surface soil is a medium clay loam1 underlaid with a gravelly clay subsoil4 ,the crops preceding were grass and corn1 and the manures used were barnyard manure and #fjj pounds per acre of ground bone4 ,the corn preceding the alfalfa was limed at the rate of #a1jjj pounds per acre1 and #a1djj pounds per acre were applied just previous to the seeding of alfalfa4 ,thirty pounds of seed were used per acre1 and lightly harrowed in and the land rolled4 ,the germination and early growth were good1 and the first crop was harvested ,june #a1 #aije4 ,the yield was two big1 two-horse loads of cured hay per acre4 ,e4 ,t4 ,gill of ,camden county has a sandy loam1 underlaid by a subsoil varying from sand to clay4 ,he has an area of #bd acres1 ranging from two to six years in age4 ,the first seeding of about two acres is still growing profitable crops1 though not uniform in stand4 ,the later seedings show an excellent stand and large and profitable crops are annually harvested4 ,usually four cuts are made each year1 which are used both for soiling and for hay1 with splendid results4 ,the practice on this farm is to top-dress with manure during the winter at the rate of about eight tons per acre4 ,mr4 ,gill's experience leads him to believe that the stand is often injured1 particularly during the first year1 by allowing the crop to reach too great maturity and then cutting when the plants are just beginning to bloom1 and leaving a stubble of at least three inches4 ,mr4 ,gill did not inoculate the seed or soil at his first seeding1 but did follow this practice with recent seedings1 and believes it to be a wise precaution1 especially on soils that have not been previously heavily manured4 ,,new ,,mexico ,thomas ,j4 ,clark1 ,grant county4--,i have had #ae years' experience with alfalfa on first and second bottom land with gravel soil1 dry to within four feet of water1 which is reached at a depth of #ae feet4 ,i irrigate from the ,gila river1 and my alfalfa1 which is #ad years old1 is as good to-day as at any time since it was sown4 ,the seed is sown as turnip seed is4 ,i plow the land thoroughly1 harrow it over smoothly1 then sow the seed in ,march1 and harrow lightly once4 ,then the water is turned on1 and the ground will remain moist until the seeds sprout4 ,after the alfalfa is six inches high1 ,i cut it to make it spread and destroy all the large weeds2 and there may be two cuttings of hay that same season4 ,water will not injure the plant unless it stands on it in low places4 ,stagnant water standing on the plant1 or mineral water so near the surface that the roots reach it1 will kill the plant1 but it is not liable to injury from winter frost4 ,after the first season there are three or four crops1 the first being usually chosen for seed and not irrigated4 ,for hay it is cut when in full bloom1 and1 if the sun is shining1 should cure #bd hours if in ,june1 or #bj in ,july or ,august1 before raking1 and then #cj hours in the cock4 ,it must be thoroughly cured before stacking1 and then will not mold4 ,the most convenient bales weigh #ij to #ajj pounds1 and the cost of preparing them is #b a ton4 ,the total cost of hay in the stack is about #c a ton1 and the average yield about three tons to the acre each year4 ,when the burs turn brown the seed is harvested1 and when well cured should be stacked in a dry place4 ,an average yield is #ejj to #fjj pounds to the acre1 and it sells for #d a bushel4 ,the hay makes excellent feed for farm animals1 keeping them in good condition the year around without grain4 ,the alfalfa pasturage is better for swine and cattle than clover1 and yields more largely2 sheep may be kept on it to advantage also4 ,a good acre will keep five grown hogs in excellent condition1 but will not make them fat4 ,if they are taken up in ,october and fed about #dj days on grain1 they will be marketable4 ,cattle on the pasture sometimes bloat1 but ,i have had #ajj head of cows and calves on mine for two months1 and have had no trouble4 ,the irrigated alfalfa is better than that grown on land that requires no water4 ,the straw is about equal to oat straw1 but not half so good as the alfalfa hay4 ,to rid land of the plant requires a strong team and a sharp #aj-;inch plow4 ,the roots rot at once after plowing1 and the land is well fertilized for other crops4 ,in my opinion1 alfalfa is the best forage plant known in this western country4 ,it is most easily raised1 produces the largest yield1 commands the best price1 and can be planted at any time from ,march to ,september4 ,land seeded to it is the most valuable1 and the farmer who has plenty of it is the most prosperous4 ,farming here cannot be a success without it1 and ,i take pleasure in recommending it to my brother farmers4 ,it will lie dormant all summer if it is dry1 and with fall rains revive and make good pasture4 ,it is the earliest plant up in the spring1 and the last to stay green in the fall4 ,in other words1 it is the best of all4 ,hartman ,weil1 ,san ,miguel county4--,we have been dealers in alfalfa hay for eight years1 and have some small fields of our own4 ,this is on both bottom and upland4 ,in the bottom1 the subsoil is sand and bowlders2 on the upland1 stiff bluish clay1 and in some places blue limestone4 ,well water is reached on the bottom land at a depth of #h to #aj feet1 through soil moist all the way2 on the upland1 it is necessary to dig #fj to #ajj feet1 and1 beginning two or four feet from the surface1 the ground is dry4 ,when seed is planted in the spring1 the soil should be well pulverized1 moist1 and warm1 that the seed may germinate quickly4 ,it should not be put in deeper than #a inches1 and may be planted in ,may or ,june1 or any time in the spring after the soil becomes warm4 ,in our climate1 it is best to sow about #cj pounds of good seed to the acre1 besides just enough oats to shade the ground and protect the young alfalfa from the hot sun4 ,once well started1 it will kill out all weeds1 and does not winterkill here4 ,we irrigate from streams4 ,alfalfa should not be irrigated when quite young1 for1 if the small plant is covered with soil1 when watered1 it will not come up again1 but1 after it gets a good start1 it is not easily killed4 ,there should be about two irrigations to each crop harvested1 or ordinarily1 six in a season4 ,the heavier the stand the more water is needed4 ,we have three cuttings1 yielding about #c1jjj pounds of cured hay per acre per cutting4 ,when the plant is fairly well in bloom1 it is cut1 and is best when cured under large sheds or in the shade4 ,if left until dry where cut1 the foliage will fall off and pulverize4 ,it is best to stack in narrow ricks1 as it is liable to heat if put in large stacks1 and it should be salted liberally when stacked4 ,the last cutting is preferred for seed1 which is mowed when most of the pods are well matured2 in this case only two crops should be cut during the year4 ,the straw makes good feed for stock in winter1 having about half the value of the hay4 ,each irrigation costs about #ej cents per acre1 and the total cost of hay in the stack is about #c4ej per ton4 ,baling costs #a4be per ton1 with #ej cents additional for wire4 ,the common yield of seed is #f to #aj bushels from the acre4 8,reeves0 clover huller will thresh about #ab bushels per hour4 ,the price of hay1 baled1 in ,new ,mexico has averaged about #h per ton for the past eight years and seed for the same time about #e per bushel4 ,our experience indicates that alfalfa hay is a more nutritious food for farm animals than either clover or timothy4 ,we have found nothing better to feed cattle for market2 it makes good1 solid beef1 and they take on fat very fast4 ,the pasturage is excellent for swine1 horses1 and cattle4 ,if overfed1 animals will sometimes bloat on rank alfalfa1 especially if unaccustomed to it4 ,about the third year from seeding1 the plant has acquired its best yield4 ,it is difficult to rid land of it1 as plowing under is sometimes beneficial1 making it come up thicker than before4 ,success with it on high prairies depends upon the precipitation during the growing season4 ,we think four inches of rainfall during the time of its growth would make a fair crop of hay2 or #h to #ab inches from ,may to ,september1 for two or three cuttings4 ,,new ,,york ,isaac ,zoller1 ,montgomery county1 writes in a recent article in ,american ,agriculturist3--8,in the spring of #ahhi1 ,i sowed my first ten acres of alfalfa4 ,the field was reseeded for the second time in ,april1 #aije4 ,i now have #be acres4 ,the land was plowed in the fall after being manured4 ,in the spring1 generally during the last two weeks of ,april1 the surface for five or six inches is made extra fine and #be to #cj pounds of the best seed are sown with three pecks of oats as a nurse crop4 ,by ,june #a the oats are cut three inches above ground and again every four weeks during the first season4 ,the following ,june during the third week the first crop is cut1 usually yielding about three tons4 ,the second cutting generally comes during the last week in ,july when #a tons is an average4 ,by ,september1 the third cutting is made1 but ,i generally let sheep browse it1 but not very close or after it is frozen4 ,the season of #aije it was cut and allowed to wilt1 raked with a side delivery rake1 allowed to lie a couple of hours1 then rolled over with the rake and drawn to the barn4 ,formerly ,i used to shock it and allow it to sweat1 but this is too much work4 ,i feed it to sheep and find it equal1 if not superior to ,red clover4 ,to be at its best it must be cut when about one-tenth of the blossoms are out4 ,the soil in which my alfalfa grows is a heavy1 clay loam and rolling1 but is underdrained4 ,the soil here is apt to heave three or four inches during winter and injure clover4 ,but where properly drained1 this does not occur on alfalfa fields4 ,i am certain alfalfa can be more extensively and economically grown here40 ,h4 ,b4 ,fullerton1 ,long ,island4--,as an experiment1 an acre of scrub-oak1 waste land was cleared and the brush and stumps burned in ,november1 #aije4 ,about #b1jjj pounds of wood ashes were applied and turned under at once4 ,in ,april about ten tons of manure was applied so that each quarter acre would have about #b1ejj pounds4 ,three weeks later #djj pounds of kainit were applied and ten days later #bjj pounds of ,canada wood ashes4 ,since the soil1 when tested1 still showed acidity1 about #djj pounds more of ashes were spread1 chiefly because of its high percentage of vegetable lime1 #dj per cent4 ,the lime of ashes on ,long ,island soils is considered superior to that of stone or shells4 ,early in ,june the test acre1 being considered ready1 was finally prepared and sown to alfalfa in two directions crosswise over each quarter acre4 ,in less than a week the plants appeared evenly on all four plots4 ,showery weather continued from before seeding until well into ,june4 ,one of the quarter acre plots sown with a dressing of #aej pounds of soil from an old alfalfa field at ,fayetteville1 ,n4 ,y41 early took the lead in color and vigor and about six weeks from sowing could be readily distinguished at a distance by the richness of its foliage4 ,it was also in flower before the other plots1 one of which was uninoculated1 the other two sown with inoculated seed4 ,unfavorable weather prevented cutting until mid-,august when all four plots were cut1 the few large weeds were removed and the alfalfa weighed4 ,the plot inoculated with alfalfa soil yielded #afgc green pounds which cured to #gja dry2 the uninoculated plot yielded #gbf green and #cac dry1 the other two plots sown with inoculated seed #daf and #cgg pounds green or #ahi and #afh pounds dry respectively4 ,these results point favorably to inoculating the soil from old alfalfa fields4 ,illustration3 ,sweet ,clover 7,melilotus alba47 ,the seed of ,sweet clover is an occasional adulterant of alfalfa4 ,the plant is much taller than any of the species of ,medicago4 ,the flowers are white and borne in rows on elongated flower stems ,illustration3 ,yellow ,trefoil 7,medicago lupulina47 ,a common adulterant of alfalfa4 ,the leaflets are broader and more clover-like than alfalfa4 ,the flowers are yellow and sparsely scattered in small1 hop-like clusters at tips of long flower stems ,,north ,,carolina ,dr4 ,b4 ,w4 ,kilgore1 ,director ,north ,carolina experiment station4--,alfalfa has been grown in a small way in this state1 particularly in the section around ,hillsboro1 for #ge to #ajj years4 ,the soil there has become well inoculated and there are some small areas of good alfalfa grown there4 ,there has been for a number of years past considerable interest in the production of this crop1 but its cultivation has not been very successful4 ,on our experiment farms in different sections of the state it has done reasonably well1 and there have been put out quite a large number of small areas during the last few years1 which give hopes of success with the crop4 ,when some further details regarding the time and method for seeding and treatment1 especially to prevent crab grass and weeds from getting the upper hand of the crop during the summer have been worked out1 we believe that alfalfa will be grown to quite a large extent and be a most valuable addition to our present forage crops4 ,,north ,,dakota ,prof4 ,j4 ,h4 ,shepperd1 ,dean of the ,north ,dakota ,agricultural college4--,alfalfa has not been given a thorough trial by the people of ,north ,dakota1 but the results secured by the experiment station indicate that it is capable of producing paying crops here4 ,it will yield two or more tons of hay per acre annually and will1 when sown on well drained land1 continue to live from year to year as it does in old alfalfa districts4 ,a little growth should be allowed to stand through the winter season to protect the roots by catching a covering of snow over the entire field4 ,our people are thoroughly awakened and encouraged by the results secured at the experiment station1 and its growth is likely to soon be a common practice in the state4 ,,ohio ,prof4 ,charles ,e4 ,thorne1 ,director ,ohio experiment station4--,numerous attempts were made during the latter half of the nineteenth century to grow alfalfa in ,ohio1 but so far as the knowledge of the writer goes1 that of ,joseph ,e4 ,wing of ,mechanicsburg was the first that could be pronounced a decided success4 ,mr4 ,wing had seen the plant growing in the arid region of the ,west1 and was fortunately able to make his initial experiments on the soil formed from the decomposing limestone gravels of ,champaign county1 a soil possessing three of the indispensable requisites for alfalfa culture4 ,plenty of lime1 plenty of humus and good drainage4 ,other farmers during recent years have attempted the culture of this plant1 and where experiments have been conducted upon suitable soils and carried out with sufficient care and persistence1 they have been successful4 ,thus far the most promising alfalfa fields in the state are to be found either in such localities as those of ,mr4 ,wing1 namely upon the soils underlaid with limestone gravel which are found over the western half of the state1 or upon such of the river bottom lands of the state as are above overflow and are underlaid with gravel1 giving natural drainage4 ,the experience of ,ohio growers of alfalfa has demonstrated the following points3 7#a7 ,alfalfa must have lime4 ,if the soil is naturally deficient in this substance it must be added artificially4 7#b7 ,alfalfa must have humus4 ,it is idle to attempt to grow it upon a soil which has been worn so thin that it will not grow a good crop of corn4 ,such soils must be manured before they will successfully produce alfalfa4 ,in this respect it is very different from the plant which it so closely resembles in habit of growth1 ,sweet clover4 7#c7 ,alfalfa will not grow with wet feet1 yet it is a great consumer of water1 and the soil must be of such a character as to hold large stores of water without being water logged4 ,hence the value of bottom lands naturally underdrained by strata of gravel a few feet below the surface4 7#d7 ,when lime1 humus and drainage are supplied1 the bacterial organisms through which atmospheric nitrogen is assimilated will gradually appear upon the alfalfa roots1 but their growth may be hastened by inoculating the land with soil from a field in which alfalfa or ,sweet clover has previously grown4 ,the experiment station has been most successful in getting a stand of alfalfa where the land was thoroughly prepared in the spring and then harrowed every week or ten days until ,july or ,august4 ,the seed was then sown and harrowed in4 ,by this means the weed seeds were germinated and destroyed before the alfalfa was sown4 ,,oklahoma ,agricultural experiment station3 ,bul4 #ga1 by ,prof4 ,f4 ,c4 ,burtis and ,l4 ,a4 ,moorhouse4--,this crop is being grown in every county in ,oklahoma and in some sections1 a fair acreage is present4 ,from many fields as large yields are obtained as are produced any place else in the ,united ,states without irrigation4 ,on the uplands in ,oklahoma1 as elsewhere1 the returns vary4 ,where the subsoil is hard and impervious1 the yields are quite meager under unfavorable climatic conditions and the crop needs considerable nursing such as disking and harrowing1 to keep the crab grass from taking the field in a few years4 ,on these upland soils with the hardpan subsoils which grow cowpeas to perfection1 the farmer who is not willing to inform himself about proper methods and to give his alfalfa fields much attention and care1 should grow cowpeas instead4 ,but as has been indicated before1 alfalfa is being grown on such soil successfully and profitably1 but only in small areas4 ,the soil of the experiment station farm at ,stillwater1 on which the following yields of alfalfa were obtained is a clay loam underlaid by a very stiff1 impervious subsoil of a hardpan nature4 ,yields of ,field ,f1 containing about four acres2 cured hay for the season4 #aijb--a4gf tons hay per acre in #e cuttings4 #aijc--a4bc tons hay per acre in #e cuttings4 #aijd--c4ac tons hay per acre in #d cuttings4 #aije--c4ac tons hay per acre in #e cuttings4 ,average for four years1 #b4ca tons of hay per acre4 ,in the spring of #aijd the field received an application of barnyard manure at the rate of #ae tons per acre4 ,every season1 the field was disked from three to four times and harrowed4 ,during #aijc and #aijd1 web worms damaged the crop4 ,yields of ,plats #a1 #b1 #c1 and #d1 ,field ,e4 ,the plats are on similar soil to that of ,field ,f and have been handled about the same as that field4 ,the yield is given for all the plats together4 #aijb--b4fg tons hay per acre4 #aijc--c4bg tons hay per acre4 #aijd--c4ca tons hay per acre4 ,average for three years1 #c4jh tons of hay per acre4 ,yield of ,field ,h1 containing about five acres3 #aijb--d4bj tons hay per acre in #e cuttings4 #aijc--b4hh tons hay per acre in #e cuttings4 #aijd--b4ab tons hay per acre in #e cuttings4 #aije--b4bg tons hay per acre in #e cuttings4 ,average for four years #b4fi tons per acre4 ,barnyard manure was applied to this field in #aijj-'ja1 and it was given the same treatment as was received by the fields previously mentioned4 ,other results will be given in a later bulletin1 but those cited give a fair idea of what may be expected on upland where the subsoil is a hardpan4 ,the hay from all the fields mentioned above1 obtained in the last two or three cuttings1 contained varying amounts of crab grass1 so the yields given are not all alfalfa4 ,since the above results were obtained1 some good bottom land has been acquired by the experiment station and alfalfa has already been seeded on some of it4 ,in a few years1 yields that will look better when compared with those of our best alfalfa growers can probably be reported4 ,the following summary will be helpful4 #a4 ,alfalfa is a great and valuable crop for ,oklahoma1 where there are as good alfalfa soils as are found in the world and as good yields are produced as anywhere4 #b4 ,the acreage of alfalfa should be greatly increased in ,oklahoma4 ,there are but few farms here that do not contain a few acres at least that will grow the crop profitably4 #c4 ,select the best soil on the farm for the first trial1 and try only a few acres at first4 #d4 ,decide a year or two in advance of seeding time what field is to be seeded to alfalfa1 and follow the best methods of cropping and preparation known4 #e4 ,buy only the very best seed4 ,get a sample and test it before buying and purchase your seed a year before you expect to sow it unless you are sure you can get good seed just when you want it4 #f4 ,twenty pounds of good seed to the acre is plenty and as low as twelve pounds is all that is used by many4 #g4 ,seed either with the drill or by broadcasting4 ,conditions must be right for either to succeed4 #h4 ,fall seeding and spring seeding are both followed in ,oklahoma with good success4 ,if the conditions are not right at seeding time1 or turn out unfavorable after seeding1 or while the plants are small1 either may fail4 #i4 ,as a rule fall seeding is preferable in ,oklahoma1 particularly on the less adapted soils4 #aj4 ,take due care in harvesting the hay that half its value is not lost at that time4 #aa4 ,don't give up trying to raise the crop because you fail in your first attempt or even if the failure continues to the second and third attempts4 ,successful alfalfa raisers have stated that in instances they have failed as many as five times in getting certain fields started to alfalfa1 and after they did get the field seeded1 the returns from it would justify reseeding ten times if necessary4 ,,oregon ,george ,w4 ,dunn1 ,jackson county4--,for eight years ,i have grown #fj acres of alfalfa on bottom land with granite loam soil1 gravelly and sandy4 ,the plant does not grow well unless the soil is deep and well drained1 and will not grow where there is a clay subsoil or stagnant water4 ,well water is reached at a depth of #aj to #ab feet1 and the soil1 unless cultivated or irrigated1 becomes dry and hard in the summer4 ,as soon as the heavy frosts in the spring are over1 seed may be put in1 after thorough1 deep plowing and pulverizing4 ,i always sow broadcast1 #bj to #be pounds to the acre1 then harrow in and clod-mash or roll4 ,water for irrigation is obtained from streams1 and it should be applied as quickly as possible1 the best way being to flood the whole field for a few days1 and then take all the water off1 as standing water will kill the plant quicker than anything else4 ,the quantity of water needed the first and later years does not seem to differ materially4 ,as soon as the young alfalfa is high enough1 it should be mowed4 ,this kills the weeds1 and gives better chance for growth4 ,then ,i cut for hay1 but it does not pay much the first year4 ,if land is well drained1 the plant lives through the winter easily1 and by the second or third year is at its best4 ,in ground adapted to its growth1 it is almost everlasting1 unless killed by gophers or hogs4 ,after the first season1 there are three or four cuttings1 averaging each from one to three tons to the acre4 ,for hay1 ,i cut as soon as it begins to bloom freely1 ordinarily raking the next day1 and cocking the third1 in this dry atmosphere4 ,the stack does not shed water well1 and the best plan is to put in a good barn4 ,the hay bales well1 and the size of bale is simply a matter of opinion or convenience1 there being no difference in the keeping quality4 ,the second crop is the one for seed1 as the first always contains more or less foul stuff1 and the third will not mature seed4 ,i dispose of hay at from #d to #aj a ton--the same price as other hay in the same market--and it is in great demand for milch cows4 ,the seed costs me from #aj to #af cents a pound4 ,the straw makes good feed1 but of course is not so good as the hay4 ,for feeding farm animals1 alfalfa is superior to clover or timothy4 ,we produce as fine beef here1 by feeding alfalfa alone1 as can be done in ,kansas or elsewhere by feeding ordinary hay and corn4 ,the pasturage is profitable and satisfactory for horses and sheep1 and for hogs it is unsurpassed--they will grow and fatten on it without other food4 ,cattle on the pasture sometimes bloat1 but not when they are used to it1 or when it is dry4 ,i keep about #aej head1 and in eight years have lost but two4 ,the roots will grow to1 but not into1 water1 and thrive in deep gravelly or sandy soil4 ,the plant sends down a large1 straight taproot1 which1 as it approaches water1 branches and spreads out into numerous small rootlets4 ,,pennsylvania ,prof4 ,george ,c4 ,watson1 ,pennsylvania experiment station4--,the experiment station has received many letters requesting information pertaining to the growth and cultivation of alfalfa4 ,from these communications it has been learned that many farmers have attempted to grow alfalfa on land that is not at all well suited for this purpose1 and consequently1 many failures have resulted4 ,the first attempts to grow alfalfa were made wholly by spring seeding1 which1 in most instances1 has proved quite unsatisfactory4 ,as alfalfa starts slowly and exists as a small plant for a considerable length of time1 the weeds have an abundant opportunity to germinate and outgrow the more delicate alfalfa plants4 ,whatever conditions favor the growth of weeds1 particularly in the early part of the growing season1 materially increase the risk of failure with alfalfa4 ,largely on account of the weeds and grass1 late in summer or fall seeding has been most satisfactory4 ,while a drouth at this time may seriously interfere with germination1 yet the injury from insufficient moisture is not likely to be so great as that from a rank growth of weeds earlier in the season4 ,land that has been cultivated for a few weeks during the summer may be sown to alfalfa in ,august or ,september with comparatively little danger from annual weeds1 which are so troublesome in spring seeding4 ,land that is infested with noxious perennial weeds and grass would not1 of course1 be in suitable condition for seeding after a few weeks of cultivation1 no matter how thorough it may be4 ,the most tenacious grasses and weeds1 like ,canada thistles and quack grass1 should be given at least a few months of thorough cultivation before seeding4 ,experiments indicate that alfalfa will not survive continued alternate freezing and thawing if the soil contains very much moisture4 ,land that is at all inclined to 8heave0 is not suited for the growth of this crop4 ,the soil of the station farm1 upon which most of these experiments have been made1 is a porous limestone clay underlaid with limestone rocks which afford abundant drainage through the fissures4 ,notwithstanding the fact that the soil is naturally well drained1 in some places it seems to hold too much water to afford a most congenial home for alfalfa4 ,this crop will endure severe freezing1 provided the soil is sufficiently dry so that it has no tendency to 8heave40 ,land upon which clover will 8heave0 undoubtedly contains too much moisture for alfalfa4 ,it seems to be able to endure the rigors of winter better than clover1 provided the moisture conditions are favorable4 ,,rhode ,,island ,dr4 ,h4 ,j4 ,wheeler1 ,director ,rhode ,island experiment station4--,alfalfa culture in ,rhode ,island is a very uncertain undertaking4 ,a few persons have occasionally met with some success1 but the majority of experiments have been failures because3 7#a7 ,most of the soil in this state is too deficient in carbonate of lime to enable alfalfa to succeed even if other conditions are favorable4 7#b7 ,it is occasionally almost destroyed by clover leaf spot4 7#c7 ,the general culture of alfalfa in this state cannot be made successful even if all of the conditions aside from the climate are made favorable4 ,farther north where the snow falls before the ground freezes and remains until the opening of spring1 this plant can be grown successfully4 ,farther south where the changes are less severe1 the same is true4 ,in ,colorado and other places where irrigation is practiced1 if it is desired to get rid of a field of alfalfa1 the ground is flooded after it is frozen and the freezing of water over the surface accomplishes what is desired4 ,in ,rhode ,island it not infrequently happens that we have in winter a considerable fall of snow4 ,a warm southeasterly rain may fall which transforms it very shortly to slush4 ,in a few hours the temperature may drop to zero or below4 ,sometimes rain which falls freezes over the surface1 forming a solid coating4 ,these conditions in this state destroy the alfalfa just as the flooding does it in the ,west1 and while alfalfa may be carried successfully through the winter1 if the season is favorable1 ,i believe the chances are too great to make it a promising crop4 ,last winter we carried some through successfully and have done so once or twice before1 but my advice to ,rhode ,island farmers is to grow the clovers1 soy beans1 and possibly cowpeas rather than attempt to embark in growing alfalfa until it has been definitely shown by experiment that the climate and other conditions can be successfully combated4 ,,south ,,carolina ,prof4 ,c4 ,l4 ,newman1 ,agriculturist ,south ,carolina experiment station4--,we have1 to some extent1 had remarkable success with alfalfa4 ,on the old exposition grounds at ,charleston1 over six tons of cured hay were cut last year on one acre4 ,this year one cutting afforded #d4ae pounds of cured hay4 ,in the upper portion of the state1 alfalfa is grown with considerably greater difficulty4 ,at ,anderson1 the county seat of ,anderson county1 there is an alfalfa field that was sown #fe years ago and it still affords some return4 ,,south ,,dakota ,prof4 ,james ,w4 ,wilson1 ,director ,south ,dakota experiment station4--,experience shows that a good stand of alfalfa can be secured1 if ordinary care be exercised in preparing the seedbed4 ,it is not a plant that does well when sowed on the native prairie sod after disking4 ,on the college farm during the spring of #aijd a small area of native sod was disked five times2 part was sowed to alfalfa and part to clover4 ,the next spring only a few scattering plants of alfalfa could be found1 while a fair stand of clover was secured4 ,good results have been obtained with both the ,turkestan and the ,american varieties4 ,neither has winterkilled during the time1 and the yield per acre in each case has been good4 ,a field sowed to ,turkestan alfalfa in #ahii at ,highmore ,forage testing station still produces good yields4 ,the quantity of seed to sow per acre depends largely on the way it is sowed1 requiring more if broadcast than when drilled4 ,we suggest #bj pounds when drilled and #be pounds when sown broadcast4 ,the time to sow depends upon the condition of tilth4 ,contrary to what is sometimes supposed1 alfalfa does not require a wet soil1 but one that is well drained1 with a loose subsoil4 ,the plants will stand cutting several times during the first year4 ,this method should be resorted to when sown on a field badly infested with weeds1 in order to secure a stand of alfalfa4 ,in #aijb a field rented by the college farm1 which had been cropped for several years and become foul with mustard1 was sowed to alfalfa4 ,it was cut three times during the growing season1 and the result was that in #aijc there was practically no mustard to be seen1 but a first class stand of alfalfa was obtained4 ,george ,e4 ,mc,eathron of ,beadle county writes3 8,i consider alfalfa and clover culture practicable in this locality4 ,i do not think it necessary to inoculate soil for these crops in ,south ,dakota4 ,after the first year ,i cut my alfalfa fields three times and secured an average yield of five tons to the acre4 ,i have never allowed seed to mature1 always cutting for hay4 ,no trouble from winterkilling has been noticed40 ,o4 ,s4 ,jones of ,lake county writes3 8,i began raising alfalfa on my place two miles west of ,madison five years ago4 ,the soil is a dark loam with some sand in it1 lays level and has a sand and gravel subsoil4 ,water is obtained at a depth of eight to ten feet4 ,i have used both the ,turkestan and the common alfalfa1 and ,i consider the latter the better for my land1 as it grows ranker1 with more leaf and better color than the former4 ,i have had the best success in sowing about the first of ,may1 without a nurse crop4 ,on one four-acre piece seeded three years ago1 ,i pastured #aej to #age head of hogs and spring pigs for two months this year and also cut between #ae and #af tons of hay in two cuttings4 ,i sowed #ab acres this year in two six-acre fields1 that have been pastured1 continually1 with #age head of hogs and pigs and ten head of young cattle since early in ,july1 and a great deal of it matured seed4 ,i could have cut these pieces in ,august with profit had ,i so desired1 and then had plenty of growth to have kept the stock in pasture1 changing pastures each week40 ,n4 ,o4 ,p4 ,synoground of ,brown county writes3 8,i consider alfalfa and clover culture practicable in this locality4 ,i also consider the ,turkestan variety superior to the home-grown varieties4 ,cut the field twice the first year and received four tons per acre4 ,i have never cut any for seed4 ,these crops have not winterkilled here40 ,,tennessee ,prof4 ,h4 ,a4 ,morgan1 ,director ,tennessee experiment station4--,alfalfa has been known in ,tennessee for many years1 but not until the general failure of ,red clover1 due to one or more species of ,colletotrichum1 and the search for substitutes for ,red clover1 were any serious efforts made to grow alfalfa in this state4 ,on alluvial land along the ,mississippi river in west ,tennessee1 in what is known as the ,central ,basin section of middle ,tennessee1 and on the richer lands of east ,tennessee1 alfalfa has been grown very successfully1 and each year large areas are being sown to this clover4 ,mr4 ,l4 ,donaldson1 of ,lake county1 gives the following relative to the preparation of soil1 etc41 for alfalfa in the alluvial area of west ,tennessee3 8,the land is plowed deep with large moldboard breaking plows in ,september or about the first of ,march4 ,it is then harrowed until thoroughly pulverized1 and either about ,october #aj or ,april #a1 two gallons of seed are sown1 by machine or by hand4 ,the harrow is used for covering the seed4 ,we have no more trouble with the crop after seeding4 ,the plants germinate and take root rapidly4 ,i have known alfalfa roots to reach a length of two feet from the last of ,march to ,june #be4 ,we frequently cut the crop five times per year40 ,george ,campbell ,brown of ,maury county states that he has sown alfalfa in ,march using spring barley as nurse crop1 and in ,september with success4 ,land sown to alfalfa in #aija yielded four cuttings per year in #aijb1 #aijc1 and #aijd1 averaging from #af to #ah tons per acre in the three years4 ,mr4 ,brown uses soil for inoculating1 and believes he has gotten well-defined results from nitro-culture sent out by ,united ,states department of agriculture4 ,at the experiment station at ,knoxville1 alfalfa has been successfully grown for many years4 ,heavy applications of farmyard manure and the use of #cjj pounds of acid phosphate and #be bushels of lime per acre invariably insures large yields of alfalfa4 ,crab grass1 ,panicum sanguinale1 in summer and chickweed1 ,stellaria media1 in winter are enemies to alfalfa in this latitude4 ,these pests should be gotten rid of by the use of clean culture crops preparatory to the sowing of alfalfa4 ,with plenty of stable manure1 lime1 and phosphorous1 artificial inoculation seems unnecessary4 ,any soil of over a few feet deep may be prepared so as to grow profitable crops of alfalfa4 ,this preparation is much more expensive on some soils than others4 ,,texas ,prof4 ,b4 ,c4 ,pittuck1 ,agriculturist of the ,texas experiment station4--,alfalfa should receive the attention of farmers in every section of ,texas where conditions are in any way favorable to its growth4 ,at present prices1 after it is once established1 a yield of one ton of hay per acre will afford a good profit1 while yields of four and six tons1 which are not unusual on favorable soils1 make the investment exceedingly profitable4 ,the present demand is much greater than the supply and bids fair to increase in greater proportion during the coming year4 ,its increasing popularity with the farmer is based upon sound business principles1 as its value does not consist solely in its market price1 but in its value as food for his stock and food for his soil4 ,it will furnish green pasturage and hay of the best quality without materially impoverishing the soil4 ,many farmers refrain from planting alfalfa because some neighbor1 far or near1 planted on land apparently similar to theirs1 and it died of the disease commonly known as cotton root rot4 ,it would be far better for each farmer to test his own land1 for alfalfa may be affected by this fungus at one place and entirely unaffected on ground only a few rods away4 ,the value of an alfalfa meadow is such as to warrant a farmer in giving considerable time1 labor and study to the plant1 before deciding that natural conditions prohibit him from successfully growing it4 ,,utah ,aaron ,f4 ,farr1 ,jr41 ,cache county4--,fifteen years ago1 when ,i began raising alfalfa1 ,i had #dj acres1 and for the past eight years ,i have had about #ace acres1 all on heavy clay soil1 containing considerable salt1 and underlaid with very stiff1 white clay4 ,the soil is dry on top1 but below a depth of #b feet is damp1 and salty water is found at a depth of eight feet4 ,small grain was raised on the new land for one or two years1 after which the ground was plowed in the fall1 and again in the spring1 harrowed1 and well pulverized4 ,seed was put in1 #ab pounds to the acre1 two inches deep1 with a press drill4 ,the time for sowing is about the same as for corn1 in ,april or ,may4 ,if there is plenty of water1 it is well to sow the alfalfa with oats1 and then cut for hay the first season4 ,some of my land is irrigated1 by flooding1 three times in the season1 by means of a large canal from the river4 ,the more water is used1 the more alfalfa there will be1 but the hay from unirrigated land is less sappy than that which has been watered4 ,the plant is not liable to winterkill here1 and on sandy loam and gravel soils the full yield is attained the second year1 while1 on heavy soils1 it requires three or four years4 ,i have some that is #bj years old1 and cannot say how long it will yet continue vigorous4 ,there is difficulty in ridding land of the plant1 unless it is flooded in the winter time4 ,we have usually two cuttings each season1 with an average yield for each of about two tons to the acre1 although some parts of the land yield four tons at each cutting4 ,i have found it more profitable to raise seed than hay1 and for this purpose ,i prefer the second cutting1 using the self-rake1 allowing the alfalfa to lie in small piles until dry1 then hauling1 stacking1 and threshing1 the same as wheat4 ,the hay lies about #bb hours in the swath1 #bd hours in the windrow1 and one or two days in the cock1 after which it is stacked in large ricks with a horse fork4 ,if properly cured1 it will not mold or heat1 as it will if damp4 ,on land valued at #cj an acre1 the cost of the alfalfa1 in the stack1 is about #a4ej a ton4 ,the cost of baling is about #b a ton1 the popular weight for bales being about #ajj pounds4 ,an average yield of seed is from #cjj to #ejj pounds to the acre4 ,threshers take one-sixth toll1 and can thresh about #ajj bushels in a day4 ,the common machinery saves only about two-thirds of the seed4 ,a bushel of seed weighs more than #fj pounds1 and we put #age pounds in a two-bushel seamless sack4 ,the average selling price of the seed is about #c4ej a bushel4 ,i have one piece of land1 containing #fj acres1 not irrigated1 valued at #cj an acre1 from which1 for ten years1 ,i have cut one crop of hay1 and one of seed1 and realized an annual net profit of #ajjj cash4 ,as compared with clover and timothy for feeding farm animals1 my opinion is that alfalfa will fatten quicker1 but will not go so far4 ,the pasturage is profitable and satisfactory for horses and sheep2 for hogs1 one acre of it is as good as #b of ,red clover1 and for cattle1 one acre is as good as two of clover1 provided the land is dry4 ,on wet land1 the clover is better for cattle1 and1 as to bloating1 the danger is just the same from the two plants4 ,in my opinion1 the plant will do well on side-hills1 where the drainage is good1 if the land is plowed deep1 and the seed drilled in two inches deep and rolled with a heavy roller4 ,once started1 the plant lives almost forever1 on any soil1 unless the wrong kind of a winter strikes it4 ,i have an alfalfa root1 taken up in digging a well1 that is #ba feet long4 ,the roots of alfalfa are sure to find the water1 if anywhere at all within reasonable reach4 ,john ,jones1 ,utah county4--,i have raised alfalfa #bj years1 and now have #bej acres1 mostly on sandy loam upland2 have some on bottom land1 where it grows too rank for seed4 ,the subsoil is light clay1 with water from #ae to #bj feet from the surface4 ,on land with hardpan subsoil1 it declines after a few years1 unless irrigated often4 ,in digging for water1 we find the subsoil begins to get dry at about #ah inches1 and continues quite dry for #h or #aj feet2 then moisture increases until water is reached4 ,we prepare ground by plowing in the fall1 drag very fine in the spring1 and sow as early as the season will permit1 in order to catch the spring rains1 using #bj to #be pounds of seed per acre4 ,our first cutting is made about ,june #bj1 and is a little weedy1 but there are fewer weeds in later cuttings4 ,we get about two tons the first cutting1 if the stand is good1 and about the same the other cuttings that year2 have no trouble here about winterkilling2 standing water is injurious to the plant4 ,here alfalfa on uplands is watered three or four times each season2 some land needs only one or two floodings1 while other lower lands have no irrigation4 ,after getting a good start from the seed1 we begin watering about ,may #a1 from small mountain streams4 ,the first year requires water about every week2 after that1 once a month is sufficient4 ,for hay1 we begin cutting with the first bloom1 obtaining #b to #b tons from the first cutting1 about #b the second1 and from #a to #a the third cutting2 let it lie about two days before hauling to stack1 being careful not to stack too green4 ,for seed1 begin cutting when seed is ripe1 the second crop being considered best4 ,the grasshoppers have been troubling the second crop to some extent1 and we have on that account been cutting the first crop for seed1 using a reaper and separating with a threshing machine4 ,on a basis of #g per cent interest on #cj per acre with five tons of hay per acre each year1 it has cost about #a4ee per ton to raise alfalfa4 ,we estimate #a per ton for cutting and stacking1 and #fj cents per acre for water tax4 ,it costs #b4be per ton for baling1 #ajj to #abe-pound bale1 the size having no effect as to the keeping of properly cured hay4 ,from #h to #aj bushels is a fair average seed yield1 the cost of threshing and cleaning being about #dj cents per bushel4 ,baled hay is worth 7free on board7 about #f4ej1 and loose1 about #d per ton2 seed sells for about #g cents per pound4 ,alfalfa hay is preferable to timothy or clover1 ton for ton1 for feeding without grain2 with grain1 our liverymen prefer timothy4 ,we find alfalfa with grain equal to timothy for draft horses1 but for drivers1 timothy is preferred4 ,alfalfa is considered better than clover by our hog raisers2 it makes good pasturage for horses1 and is better than ,red clover for cattle4 ,if cattle are kept continually on the alfalfa1 they are not very likely to bloat2 the trouble arises from turning hungry animals on it4 ,we use a gag1 made of a stick about three inches in diameter1 to force the mouth open1 but sometimes have to make an opening in the paunch with a knife4 ,irrigation seems to improve the quantity without increasing the quality4 ,the early cut hay has at least #bj per cent more value than the straw from the seed crop2 we have had very good results from feeding the straw1 as it always contains more or less seed4 ,alfalfa sown on clay soil1 with hardpan subsoil1 gradually dies out after two or three years2 also when water is near the surface2 when the roots reach water too near by1 the plant dies4 ,sown on good sandy loam1 it reaches its best yield about the second year2 on heavier soils1 about the third year4 ,we have alfalfa #bj years old1 as vigorous and good to yield as when started4 ,it is preferable to clover for turning under1 as the large roots make more manure1 and the tops are much heavier4 ,we grow alfalfa on our uplands without irrigation1 but it requires two or three years to get a start2 the first year1 it makes a growth of #h or #aj inches1 and wilts2 second year1 it grows a little taller1 thickens up somewhat1 and then1 apparently1 dies2 the third year1 it gains in height and strength1 and yields a good crop1 or even two crops1 according to the subsoil4 ,if the subsoil is hardpan1 ,i would not predict the result as worth the effort4 ,i do not see how ,utah would get along without alfalfa4 ,i have #ajj acres1 from which are cut from #b to #b tons of hay per acre1 and from #hjj to #acjj bushels of seed each year1 and it has not been irrigated for #ae years4 ,last year the seed yield was #ifh bushels1 and the grasshoppers damaged it considerably2 the seed brought #aj cents per pound on the track here4 ,we make good beef from the hay alone1 and have done so on the threshed straw4 ,,vermont ,prof4 ,j4 ,l4 ,hill1 ,director ,vermont experiment station1 in ,bulletin ,no4 #aad says that popular interest in the question of alfalfa culture was never so great in ,vermont as it is today4 ,the result of #ef trials at as many ,vermont points are summarized3 as1 permanent successes1 #ab2 temporary successes1 ten2 success at outset1 eight2 seeming success1 five2 questionable1 seven2 failure1 #ad4 ,thirty-six per cent of the trials may fairly be said to have been a success1 and #fh per cent of these were located in the ,champlain valley4 ,only #aj of the #ef alfalfa growers appear to have sown more than an acre4 ,it should be noted that success with a fraction of an acre does not of necessity imply that an equal degree of success would be attained with plantings on larger areas4 ,the preeminence of the ,champlain valley in alfalfa growing seems to be due to the character of the farming in that section and to the nature of its soil4 ,failures may generally be ascribed to one or more of several unfavorable soil or weather conditions1 to weeds1 to disease1 or to seed which either is inferior or from an unsuitable source4 ,there seems to be a sufficient proportion of successes in the state to justify the encouragement of further trials4 ,it is equally clear1 however1 that anyone planting alfalfa for the first time should not only give careful heed to the needs of the plant and to the methods of culture outlined later1 but should begin by experimenting in a small way4 ,the most significant thing developed by the analysis of the returns to date is that the crop seems to succeed best in the ,champlain valley4 ,why is this8 ,probably one factor1 not apparent on the surface1 is that the men who have succeeded in ,addison county are largely sheep breeders who value the crop so highly in their special industry that they are willing to give more attention to its culture than are the dairy farmers4 ,it should be recalled in this connection1 however1 that the evidence reviewed indicates practical success with alfalfa at ,plattsburgh and in adjacent ,canadian territory4 ,without pressing the matter to a definite conclusion1 we consider two things to be at least strongly suggested and worthy to be borne in mind in connection with further experiments in alfalfa culture3 7#a7 ,the chances of permanent success with it are probably better in ,vermont than they are farther south and east in ,new ,england4 ,this may be in part attributable to soil conditions and in part to climate1 the latter being associated with greater remoteness from the seashore4 7#b7 ,in ,vermont the chance of success in its culture seem to be greater in the ,champlain valley than elsewhere4 ,the reasons suggested in the above may apply in explanation of this4 ,the nature of the geological formations is also worthy of consideration4 ,it seems not unlikely that the relative richness of the soil of this region in lime and potash and its other chemical and physical characters make it especially favorable to alfalfa growing4 ,,virginia ,prof4 ,andrew ,m4 ,soule1 ,director ,virginia experiment station4--,in ,bulletin ,no4 #aed from this station we summarize as follows3 ,alfalfa is being grown with success in various parts of ,virginia and the indications are that it will do well in humid climates1 providing the soil is brought into suitable condition for its growth4 ,alfalfa has many useful qualities4 ,it yields from three to five tons of cured hay in a year1 and remains on the land for a long period of time when once well established4 ,it grows best on deep1 open1 porous soils well supplied with vegetable matter4 ,the roots of alfalfa are from five to #ae feet in length1 enabling it to draw much of its food from the subsoil4 ,it thus enriches the land for succeeding crops and opens it up to the action of air and water4 ,land intended for alfalfa should be made very rich by plowing under legumes or applying farmyard manure4 ,in addition1 from #bjj to #djj pounds of acid phosphate1 ,thomas slag or bone meal1 with #ajj pounds of muriate of potash1 should be applied per acre4 ,if the land is acid1 which may be determined by testing with blue litmus paper1 an application of #be bushels of lime should be made4 ,it is generally best to use the unslaked lime1 which may be applied with a manure spreader1 a grain drill or broadcasted over the land and covered with a harrow4 ,land intended for alfalfa should be carefully cultivated in hoed crops or summer fallowed so as to destroy weeds1 the worst enemy of alfalfa during the early stages of its growth4 ,alfalfa may be seeded either fall or spring4 ,when fall sown it can be cut for hay the next summer1 whereas1 the spring sown crop should be clipped several times during the first season and left to mulch the ground4 ,alfalfa seed is sometimes infested with dodder1 which grows as a parasite on the plant4 ,the orange-yellow threadlike appearance of dodder gives warning of its presence1 and it can be easily destroyed by cutting and burning if taken at the outset4 ,alfalfa is frequently attacked by leaf spot in the eastern states4 ,the disease is easily recognized as its name indicates1 and persistent clipping will generally eradicate it4 ,the amount of seed to sow varies1 but #bj pounds will answer as a rule4 ,alfalfa should be cut for hay when coming into bloom1 as it yields more nutrients per acre at that time1 and succeeding crops yield better4 ,alfalfa is not more difficult to make into hay than is ,red clover4 ,it may also be pastured to advantage1 though there is some danger of bloat1 and1 owing to the high feeding value of the hay1 it is doubtful whether it would be good practice to graze it in the ,east1 except with hogs4 ,alfalfa being a legume has the power of assimilating atmospheric nitrogen under certain conditions4 ,it is thus a soil improver4 ,farmers cannot afford to purchase nitrogen when they can gather it from the air through the action of leguminous plants4 ,alfalfa often fails1 even though all the physical conditions seem favorable1 because the bacteria which live in the nodules on its roots are not present in the soil4 ,this deficiency may be supplied by getting soil from an old alfalfa field or from fields where ,sweet clover or ,bur clover previously grew with success1 or by means of artificial cultures4 ,the ,virginia experiment station1 realizing the importance of alfalfa to ,virginia farmers and the difficulty of securing inoculated soil at a reasonable cost1 has undertaken the preparation of pure cultures which it is distributing at a cost of #be cents per acre4 ,soil inoculation through artificial cultures is still in its experimental stages1 but it seems wise that ,virginia farmers should be given an opportunity to test these cultures at a moderate cost and determine once for all their real value under field conditions4 ,the high feeding value of alfalfa has long been recognized4 ,it is admirably adapted to the needs of all classes of live stock4 ,it has been fed with profit to horses1 cattle1 sheep and swine4 ,it can be so utilized as to largely take the place of wheat bran and other expensive concentrates4 ,the plats of alfalfa seeded in the spring of #aijd1 both on the station farm and on ,brush mountain1 show the importance of soil inoculation and the advantages of using lime and phosphates on land intended for this crop4 ,from a general review of the situation it appears that there is no reason why alfalfa1 under good management1 should not succeed in many parts of ,virginia4 ,,washington ,f4 ,m4 ,lowden1 ,walla ,walla county4--,in #bb years ,i have had experience with from #a to #djj acres of alfalfa1 on bottom1 second bottom1 and upland1 with clay1 sand and loam soils1 with subsoil of hardpan and strong alkali from #ah to #bj inches below the surface1 and water at depth of #ah to #bj feet4 ,the soil is seldom moist all the way down1 the dry soil beginning five to eight feet below the surface and ending within two or three feet of the water4 ,after plowing deep and harrowing well1 ,i sow in the spring1 late enough to miss frost1 #be to #cj pounds to the acre2 then cover1 in light soil from one to two inches1 and in clay soil less4 ,during the first season it should be mowed so that the weeds cannot choke it out1 and then there will be about a ton of hay to the acre to be cut in ,august4 ,i irrigate with water from streams thoroughly in the spring and after each cutting1 using enough water to soak the ground for a few days4 ,new land requires more water than old1 but the quantity needed is about the same every year4 ,at three years the plant attains its best yields1 and with proper care will not need reseeding4 ,there are usually three cuttings each season1 with an average of #a tons to the acre1 and ,i have known five cuttings4 ,it is mowed for hay when it commences to bloom1 and for seed any time before the frost comes1 the second crop being best for the latter use4 ,the seed is mowed1 threshed and dried as any other clover is4 ,the hay should lie before raking until it is thoroughly wilted1 then cure in cock two or three days4 ,we stack in ricks #af to #ah feet wide and any desired height or length4 ,the hay will not heat if well cured before stacking4 ,on land valued at #dj an acre1 the cost of hay in the stack is about #a4ej1 and to bale this costs #b a ton4 ,the yield of seed is #e to #aj bushels to the acre1 and it sells for #d4ej to #g4ej a bushel1 while hay brings #d1 formerly #h4 ,for threshing1 a clover huller is better than the common machine4 ,the alfalfa straw is of double the value of any other straw for feeding4 ,the hay grown without irrigation is not so rank as that which is watered1 and is consequently more valuable as a feed2 any is better than timothy1 and equal to clover for cattle1 but the seed must form in it to make it valuable for working horses4 ,after cutting three crops in a season1 ,i usually use the field in the fall for pasturing cattle1 and it furnishes nearly double the feed that ,red clover will1 acre for acre4 ,for hogs the pasturage is much better than clover1 and ,i sow with blue grass and clover1 on rich ground4 ,for horses and sheep the pasturage is better than clover1 but causes bloat in the same way4 ,it is difficult to plow up alfalfa1 but continued cultivation will rid land of it when desired4 ,oscar ,drumheller1 ,walla ,walla county4--,have grown alfalfa for six years1 and now have #aej acres1 part on bottom1 some on clay1 and a part on slightly sandy soil2 subsoil is a thin layer of hardpan2 below that a sort of gumbo1 and underneath that a white clay4 ,abundant water is found at #aj to #ah feet1 moist soil reaching to the water4 ,our land requires no special preparation for alfalfa2 manure is spread on weak spots2 we sow #bj pounds of seed broadcast1 about ,may #ast1 and harrow once to cover4 ,some cut it the first year2 some years the crop is not worth touching for either hay or seed2 there is no trouble here from winterkilling4 ,we never irrigate4 ,the first cutting yields about three tons1 the second1 about two and one-half tons1 the third1 about two tons1 and the fourth1 one ton4 ,for hay1 cutting should begin when in full bloom2 we never cut for seed1 but the first crop is best4 ,the season must govern the time for curing1 whether two days or #aj2 it will heat and mold if not dry before stacking2 no choice in size of stacks4 ,on land worth #dj per acre1 it costs about #a4ej per ton to grow and put alfalfa in the stack2 baling costs #a4ej to #b per ton1 the bales weighing #aej pounds4 ,alfalfa hay sold for #ab per ton in #ahij1 and is now selling for #b4ej2 seed sells for #aj to #ab cents per pound4 ,for cattle1 alfalfa hay leads all others2 for work animals1 it is a little 8washy10 but we use nothing else2 for pasturing hogs1 one acre of alfalfa is worth two of clover1 and it is found satisfactory for horses and sheep2 alfalfa will pasture more cattle than clover1 but is more productive of bloat1 especially on windy days4 ,the best remedy for bloat is to get the foreparts of the animal on high ground and splash cold water on its back2 when all else fails1 apply the knife to the left side4 ,we prefer unirrigated hay1 which seems firmer and less 8washy40 ,alfalfa reaches its best yields about the third year1 and will last #bj years2 it is not difficult to kill2 it is similar to ,red clover for turning under for green manure4 ,all cattle here are fed on alfalfa hay alone4 ,i have fed cattle in open yards in ,december1 ,january1 and ,february1 and made them gain #afj pounds per steer in three months4 ,if beef on the ,pacific coast would bring #c cents1 there would be no better investment than alfalfa4 ,in #ahib1 we sold hay for #fj per acre2 to-day it will not sell for a third of that4 ,,west ,,virginia ,prof4 ,j4 ,h4 ,stewart1 ,director ,west ,virginia experiment station4--,very little alfalfa is grown in ,west ,virginia4 ,within the past four or five years some stimulus has been given it by current publications1 etc41 but extensive growth has not obtained as yet4 ,the attempts to grow it on our small farm at the experiment station have in fact been failures4 ,however1 there are a few small tracts that have done well in portions of the state4 ,hon4 ,t4 ,b4 ,davis of ,mineral county and ,e4 ,w4 ,mc,neil of ,hardy county are persons who have been successful4 ,i am frank to say1 however1 that the experiences and practice thus far in this state have not proven it to be a dependable crop4 ,,wisconsin ,prof4 ,r4 ,a4 ,more1 ,agronomist ,wisconsin experiment station4--,alfalfa is receiving great attention in ,wisconsin and dairymen have been quick to perceive its value4 ,through the efforts of the experiment station1 alfalfa seed has been disseminated in every county in the state and crops have been grown which were highly satisfactory4 ,experiments at the station show that as much protein can be secured from one acre of alfalfa as from three acres of clover1 nine acres of timothy or #ab of ,brome grass4 ,in this experiment four cuttings of alfalfa were secured1 two cuttings of clover and one cutting each of timothy and ,brome grass4 ,alfalfa seed should have its viability tested before the seed is purchased4 ,seed that does not give a germination test of #ij per cent or above should be rejected4 ,we advise selecting high1 well-drained land inclined to be rolling4 ,a clay loam on a gravelly subsoil is best suited for growths of alfalfa4 ,sow in spring as soon as ground works well1 putting on about twice the cultivation necessary for cereal crops4 ,where land is inclined to be weedy1 sow three pecks of barley per acre as a nurse crop4 ,if ground is free from weeds1 sow alfalfa seed without nurse crop1 using at least #bj pounds of seed per acre4 ,several hundred members of the ,wisconsin experiment association have been carrying on tests with alfalfa since #aijc1 and practically all have succeeded in getting good fields started4 ,bacteria-laden soil has been shipped to members of the experiment association1 who are making tests1 with directions for scattering on a small plot1 in order to get the proper bacteria established in the soil4 ,the sowing of some alfalfa seed with clover for the purpose of getting a few alfalfa plants established as bacteria distributers has been followed with good success4 ,these lands when later sown to alfalfa result in good catches4 ,alfalfa should be cut when one-tenth is in blossom1 and not later than the first week in ,september4 ,we look for greatly increased acreage from year to year as our farmers learn the value of this great forage plant4 ,w4 ,d4 ,hoard1 ,editor ,hoard's ,dairyman4--,it is now twelve years since the editor of the ,dairyman commenced the practical study of alfalfa4 ,a good deal of experience as well as observation of the practices of others has come to him in that time4 ,he does not feel that he has exhausted the subject by any means1 but there are a few things which he believes to be well settled principles4 ,they may be enumerated as follows3 #a4 ,the richer the soil the better4 #b4 ,a carefully prepared seed bed4 ,too much pains cannot be had here4 #c4 ,good seed2 every farmer should test the seed he expects to sow4 ,a great amount of failure has come from weak1 infertile seed4 #d4 ,side hills where the rain or melted snow in ,march will readily run off and thus prevent an ice cap from sudden freezing is much the preferable location4 #e4 ,cutting it each time as soon as the first blossoms appear will always bring a stronger succeeding growth for the next crop4 #f4 ,never pasture it unless you wish to weaken it so it will break up more easily the next spring4 #g4 ,always cure it in the cock with hay caps if possible4 ,the quality of the hay is greatly superior to that which is cured in the sun or windrow4 ,the nutritive quality and value of alfalfa as well as clover may be greatly lessened and the owner not be aware of it1 by allowing too much sunshine on the hay4 ,to throw away the feeding value of any food by unwise methods of handling or curing is very poor economy4 ,for this reason farmers should make a closer study than they do as to the right time of cutting alfalfa and clover and the right way of curing it4 ,too many farmers look only at the labor involved4 ,they want to do it quick4 ,hence they wait before cutting till the stalks are overripe so they will dry quickly and then they use hay loaders that will take up the hay in the swath overdried and the goodness evaporated out of it by the action of the sun4 ,all this time they are never giving a moment's thought to the great question3 8,what kind of food is this going to make for my cows next winter80 ,the best of study and care should be given to this matter of curing alfalfa and clover4 ,nicely cured clover is worth half as much as bran as a milk producing food1 and alfalfa is worth fully as much4 ,we have demonstrated in our own stables that with #ce pounds of corn ensilage and #aj pounds of nice alfalfa hay a day1 we can save half of the grain ration that would be necessary if we fed other hay4 #h4 ,as a renewer and renovator of fertility we know of nothing that will equal alfalfa4 ,the present year is proving that in ,wisconsin most convincingly4 ,nearly all of the old alfalfa1 as well as clover seeding1 was killed by an ice storm in ,march4 ,that compelled the farmers to plow up these old fields and plant them to corn1 potatoes or some sowed crop4 ,the greater growth of crops on these old alfalfa fields is universally noticed4 ,the farmers of the country have not half begun to know the wonderful value of the alfalfa plant4 ,for just this reason they should not be discouraged in trying to grow it4 ,dr4 ,a4 ,s4 ,alexander1 ,wisconsin experiment station4--,after all that has been written and said in favor of the more general cultivation of alfalfa1 it seems strange to find much prejudice and ignorance still existing among farmers relative to the merits of this magnificent forage plant4 ,when we ask a farmer why he has not seeded an area of land to alfalfa he almost invariably answers by another question2 viz41 8,do you think ,i can make it catch80 ,and it is this doubt so generally existent that keeps down the area of alfalfa1 and hence the profits of many a man who could make it a wonderful success4 ,to our mind there has been too much alleged scientific talk relative to 8nitrification10 8root nodules0 and 8soil inoculation0 for alfalfa2 so much of it1 in fact1 as a fad1 that the average farmer has become possessed of the erroneous idea that it requires a deeply scientific knowledge of the subject and much trouble of various sorts to secure a stand of alfalfa4 ,for this reason many a man has dismissed the subject from his mind and deemed it best to think most of the simple things within his ken1 but in so doing he has missed some of the greatest boons and blessings possible in his business4 ,alfalfa will grow on most any good land that will produce clover and that is in no way waterlogged4 ,there is little mystery in its successful cultivation1 and the 8tricks0 of the business are easily learned from the literature mentioned4 ,we believe it to be one of the very finest of forage plants and a grand adjunct in the feeding of hogs2 a crop in fact that is bound to become common and that should at once be given far more general attention than is now the case4 ,it is neither difficult to obtain a catch nor make the crop a success if the farmer will but try and in starting follow the simple instructions now published by many of the agricultural experiment stations4 ,,wyoming ,asil ,t4 ,wilson1 ,fremont county4--,for six years ,i have been raising alfalfa on first-bench upland1 a gravelly loam1 with a cement subsoil of a lime nature4 ,water is found at #dj feet2 moist soil is encountered at a depth of #ab feet from the surface1 and continues until water is reached4 ,a depth of one inch for seeding is best4 ,sow in early spring4 ,if alfalfa and timothy are sown together1 sow #bj pounds of the former to #f of the latter2 if alone1 #bj pounds of alfalfa4 ,no weeds will trouble2 cut either crop for hay2 the first crop for seed4 ,watering after the last cutting will cause alfalfa to winterkill4 ,irrigate as early as possible1 if dry1 and whenever getting dry1 also about five days before cutting2 the soil being moist after cutting1 the next crop will start up quickly4 ,the larger the quantity of water used the better if it runs off quickly4 ,we obtain water from a stream4 ,after the first year ,i cut twice1 obtaining two tons each cutting4 ,i cut for hay just as it comes into bloom1 as it is not so woody and more leaves are saved4 ,the first cutting is preferable for seed4 ,when cutting for seed1 wait until the curls get well filled and black2 put it into cocks and thresh when dry4 ,alfalfa hay should be cut one day and raked the next2 then cock1 and let it stand two or three days before stacking2 by so doing all the leaves are saved1 and it cures in the cock so there is no danger of molding in the stack4 ,my alfalfa in stack costs #a per ton1 from land valued at #e per acre4 ,irrigation costs #bj cents per acre4 ,baling costs #c per ton1 #aej pounds in bale4 ,seed yields six bushels per acre2 threshing costs #a per bushel4 ,prices for hay have ranged from #e to #aj per ton1 and #g per bushel for seed4 ,alfalfa hay is equal to clover or timothy for farm animals4 ,for swine pasturage it is better than clover2 one acre will pasture #aj head of swine1 gaining one pound per head each day4 ,for horses and sheep it is good1 and as good for cattle as clover1 but dangerous1 as they bloat and die4 ,the best yields on upland are from three to five years after seeding2 and1 if watered at proper intervals1 it will last #bj years4 ,there is no difficulty in ridding land of alfalfa2 plow it late in the fall1 level it down and mark it1 then water1 and let it freeze up in winter4 ,alfalfa for green manure is as good or better than ,red clover4 ,without plenty of rain1 ,i would not recommend growing alfalfa in any locality4 ,seed raised from alfalfa thin on the ground is best4 ,john ,h4 ,gordon1 ,laramie county4--,during the past #aj years1 ,i have had from #aj to #bjj acres of alfalfa on second bottom and upland1 with sandy loam from two inches to six feet deep1 and below this soft rock1 water being found at depths of #bj to #bjj feet4 ,i plow or break the soil the first year1 and raise a crop of wheat or oats2 the second year plow deep1 sow about half a crop of oats1 and when this is well harrowed1 sow #bj pounds of alfalfa seed and cover it about two inches deep4 ,to get the best results1 this seeding is done about ,april #ast1 and there is no trouble here with weeds4 ,in cutting the grain1 the alfalfa is cut off too1 but it does not grow tall enough for hay the first year4 ,the plant does not winterkill1 and reaches its full yields by the third or fourth year2 ,i have found no necessity for reseeding any of my land4 ,we irrigate from streams1 the quantity of water used depending on the season4 ,there are generally three applications of water1 about six inches each time4 ,after the first two or three years1 only about half the quantity used at first will be needed4 ,after the first year ,i cut twice1 and obtain about #a tons to the acre each time4 ,the first crop is best for seed1 and is harvested when the top bolls are dead ripe1 raked the day after cutting1 bunched for two days and then stacked1 to be threshed with the common threshing machinery1 putting through twice4 ,five bushels to the acre is a common yield of seed1 and the cleaning and threshing cost #ej to #ge cents a bushel4 ,the hay is cut when the greater part is in bloom1 allowed to lie about a day before raking1 cured about three days1 and then stacked1 #ad to #af feet wide1 #fj feet long1 and #bj feet high4 ,it does not seem to heat or mold here4 ,the total cost in the stack is about #a4ej a ton1 and baling1 in #ajj-pound bales1 costs #b a ton4 ,selling price of loose hay in this section is #e a ton1 and the seed1 #aj to #ab cents per pound in the market4 ,the straw is worth about as much as the hay for feed4 ,i am well satisfied with the general results of growing alfalfa here1 and am now preparing #bjj acres for seeding4 ,where it will grow well1 it is the best forage plant ever discovered1 being good feed for cattle1 hogs1 sheep1 fowls1 and1 in fact1 all animals on the farm1 while as a fertilizer it cannot be surpassed4 ,but one cannot do anything with it if there is not sufficient moisture to raise wheat or oats4 ,,index4 ,,page ,alabama1 alfalfa in #af ,alberta1 alfalfa in #ae ,experiments #bca ,acclimation #h1 #ac1 #bh ,acid soil1 test for #de ,unfavorable #dd1 #bja ,acreage1 too great #hg ,address1 ,professor ,spillman's #i ,adulterants #cb1 #ce1 #cf1 #cg1 #ci1 #dj ,africa1 alfalfa introduced #b ,south1 alfalfa in #ae ,agricultural ,department bulletin #cc ,agriculture1 ,stover's2 hay-caps #he ,agrostologist's opinion #i ,air shaft in mow #ie ,alaska1 hay for #ajd ,albuminoids #bb ,alfalfa fields #bjj years old #e ,alfalfa1 fails 8here0 #ea ,description #e ,below sea level #ae ,improves land values #bjd ,origin of name #b ,objection to #ah ,preparations #ahb ,is 8queen0 #ada ,replaces other legumes #aea ,synonyms #d ,alfamo #ahe ,alfilaria1 merits of #bbg1 #bbh ,alsike and alfalfa compared #ba1 #adh ,analyses1 corn #bb ,seed #cc ,soil1 free #fd ,vary #acg ,animals1 keep off field #bba ,annual manuring #gj ,appetizer1 alfalfa as an #abe ,apples and alfalfa together #bbd ,arabian seed1 imported #h ,arapahoe ,county1 ,colorado #bdc ,argentine ,republic1 alfalfa in #ae ,arizona1 alfilaria in #bbg ,experiments #h1 #bcc ,army worm #bai ,asiatic seed introduced #g ,assimilative restrictions #acd ,avery1 ,prof4 ,s41 on alfamo #ahe ,bacteria1 cowpeas increase #dh ,humus helps #fa ,in some soils #fa ,in nodules #fj1 #aih ,introducing #df1 #ej1 #ea ,introducing unnecessary #aii ,lacking1 failure result #ff ,need nitrogen #fj ,not fertilizers #bja ,on cowpeas #di ,spread on farm #aid ,bale1 hollow #aje ,bales1 heating #ajd ,loading #aje ,poor prices for #ajd ,round #ajd ,size #ajd ,shipping #ajd ,baling #ajb ,new ,mexico #bhc ,machine1 new #aje ,space saved #aje ,barley as nurse crop #eh ,leaves weeds #ei ,bare spots restored #ga ,barn1 storing #ie ,beach1 ,c4 ,w4 #bdh ,beadle ,county1 ,south ,dakota #cjj ,beak on trefoil seed #ci ,beef1 balanced ration for #ace ,cheap western #adb ,making #ach ,yield to acre #acj1 #aca ,bees and alfalfa #ab1 #age ,belgium1 alfalfa introduced #b ,berry1 ,j4 ,w41 storing #if ,bindweed #bai ,blackshere1 ,j4 ,r41 report #bfj ,blake1 ,john1 experiments #bcc ,bliss1 ,d4 ,s41 report #bfg ,bloat1 lambs do not #agb ,preventing #aaj1 #aac1 #aga ,preventing1 in ,kansas #aaa ,professor ,mayo on #aaf ,remedy #aae1 #aba1 #caf ,rules to prevent #aae ,tapping for #aai ,not due to food #aag ,on alfalfa pasture #aji ,bloom1 cutting in #hj ,cut in #hh ,blossoming1 cut before #hj ,blue grass or alfalfa for pigs #aeh ,blue-grass1 yields #ba ,with alfalfa #aaa ,botany of alfalfa #d ,bowman1 ,prof4 ,m4 ,l41 report #beg ,bran analysis #abg ,and alfalfa compared #aj1 #gi1 #he1 #add ,and alfalfa meal for cows #ahd ,food value #acb ,sown with seed #ef ,brandon1 ,manitoba1 yield #ad ,breaking sod hard work #aie ,breeders' ,gazette on sheep pasture #aad ,brewers' grains and alfalfa compared #aad ,british ,columbia1 alfalfa in #ad ,broadcast seeding #ee ,brome grass and alfalfa compared #ba ,brooks1 ,prof4 ,william ,p41 report #bff ,brown1 ,benjamin1 report #bfa ,brown ,county1 ,south ,dakota #cjb ,brown1 ,george ,campbell1 report #cjc ,bruner1 ,prof4 ,l41 on hopper dozer #baf ,buck-horn in alfalfa seed #da ,buckwheat bran1 food value #acb ,buffum1 ,prof4 ,b4 ,c41 on fertilizing value #aib ,bulletin1 ,alabama #bcb ,farmers'1 baled alfalfa #ajd ,farmers'1 irrigation #gg ,farmers'1 alfalfa for hogs #afj ,kansas1 hog raising #aef ,nebraska1 soiling and pasture #abc ,nebraska1 feed test #aci ,new ,jersey1 feed values #acb ,new ,york1 fodder crops #abf ,ohio1 impure seed #cc ,texas1 feedstuffs #abg ,utah1 cuttings #abh ,utah1 irrigation #gd ,vermont #cji ,virginia #caa ,wyoming1 fertilizing value #aib ,bulletins1 various hay composition #ge ,buncher #hg ,burnett1 ,prof4 ,e4 ,a41 dimensions of ton #bbi ,burning weeds #fi ,bushel weight #ca ,butter fat1 cost #aej ,butter1 the marketable product #adg ,buyer to blame #da ,buying soil1 necessity of #fa ,dangers of #fb ,not necessary #fa ,cache ,county1 ,utah #cjd ,california1 alfalfa introduced #b ,cutting in #hi ,eleven cuttings #aj ,experiments #h1 #bch ,feeding alfalfa alone #adh ,sheep fattening #bje ,camden ,county1 ,new ,jersey #bhb ,canada1 alfalfa in #ad ,time to sow #dg ,canadian ,northwest yield #ad ,cannula for bloat #aai ,cape ,colony1 alfalfa in #ae ,capons on alfalfa #ahg ,carbohydrates and fats interchangeable #ace ,function of #ace ,not replace protein #acf ,in excess #acf ,in hay #gf ,lacking #abe ,carbonaceous foods needed #abe ,carlyle1 ,prof4 ,w4 ,l41 hay #agc ,cattle1 dangers in pasture #aji ,experiences with #aaj ,growing1 balanced ration #ace ,young1 balanced ration #ace ,pasturing #bce ,utah1 fed #be ,chase ,county1 ,kansas #bfj ,champlain ,valley #caj ,characteristics1 seed #cg 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,dr4 ,h4 ,j41 report #bjh ,widtsoe1 ,prof4 ,j4 ,a41 nutrients #aca ,wilcox1 ,lute1 quoted #gc ,williams1 ,c4 ,h41 pasturing sheep #aad ,wilson1 ,prof4 ,james ,w41 report #cjj ,wing1 ,joseph ,e4 #bij ,curing #hc ,horse raising #aff ,pasturing lambs #aad ,preliminary seeding #ea ,windrows1 curing in #hg ,leaving hay in #hd ,smothering under #hd ,wisconsin1 brood sows #aee ,report #cag ,time to sow #dg ,wintering sows #aef ,yield #i1 #bc ,witch-grass less bad than crab grass #fi ,woodford1 ,j4 ,e41 hog raising #afc ,work animals1 alfalfa for #ad ,worker's1 grange meeting at ,mr4 #ah ,worm1 army #bai ,worn-out soils restored #af ,wyoming1 fertilizing value of alfalfa #aib ,experiments #cbb ,seed #bi ,xerxes carried alfalfa to ,greece #a ,yield1 acre #abf ,affected by irrigation #gg ,alfalfa and grass compared #ba ,arabian alfalfa #h ,arizona #bcd ,below sea level #ae ,best when no nurse crop #ei ,butter1 pasture and soiling #abc ,compared with clover #bj ,corn and alfalfa #bb ,district of ,columbia #ad #ahae #c ,fodders1 various #adh ,increased by irrigation #gd ,indiana #bd ,irrigations affect #gg ,irrigated land #aj1 #bc ,largest annual #abh ,louisiana #ad ,manitoba #ad ,maximum under irrigation #gh ,medicine ,hat #ad ,milk increased #adf ,minnesota #ad ,new ,jersey #bj ,not impaired by hogs #ajh ,oklahoma #bd ,ontario #ad ,reduced by wrong cutting #hj ,seed #ia ,south ,africa #ae ,turkestan1 ,north ,dakota #h ,twelve tons under irrigation #gb ,washington #aj ,wisconsin #bc ,yields1 big1 poor land #fe ,irrigation1 ,utah #gh ,profitable #bb1 #bc ,texas #i ,wisconsin #i1 #bc ,zoller1 ,isaac1 report #bhg ,transcriber's ,notes ,the language used is that of the source document1 including unusual1 inconsistent and archaic spelling1 hyphenation1 capitalisation1 etc41 unless listed under ,changes below4 ,depending on the hard- and software used to read this text and their settings1 not all elements may display as intended4 ,page #ahg1 chart3 the lengths of the bars are approximations of those given in the source document4 ,page ix-xi1 ,list of ,illustrations3 ,full-page illustrations were 7usually7 printed on unnumbered pages1 and the page numbers given in the list are therefore often the page numbers opposite which the illustrations were printed4 ,figure numbers #dd and #de are listed in reverse order4 ,in the text1 references to illustrations are hyperlinked to the illustrations4 ,descriptions such as ,actual size in illustration captions are not necessarily applicable to this text4 ,page #fi1 ,in many parts of the country 444 that most persistently3 ,in the source document the first two lines of this paragraph are repeated from the previous paragraph4 ,in the first edition 7#aijf7 of the book1 this paragraph starts3 8,it is sometimes the case that a field of alfalfa is left infested in the fall with such a growth of grass and weeds as to make burning in the spring 44440 ,page #gg1 table3 not all irrigation data add up to the totals given4 ,page #afe and #cch1 ,j4 ,w4 ,robison_/,robinson3 it is not clear whether the name is ,robison or ,robinson4 ,page #aff1 8,there is no one thing so good 4443 there is no closing quote mark4 ,page #bjg1 444 and printed with illustrations 4443 the illustrations are not included explicitly in the source document1 but figures #ba-bc may act as such4 ,pages #bga and #cch1 ,alfred ,rasicot and ,alfred ,raiscot probably refer to the same person4 ,index3 the 7not consistently alphabetical7 order of entries as printed in the source document has been retained4 ,changes3 ,illustrations and tables have been moved out of text paragraphs2 footnotes have been moved to directly under the paragraph or table to which they belong4 ,fractions 7forms #a_/b and #a-b both occur in the source document7 have been standardised to 4 ,some 7minor7 obvious punctuation and typographical errors have been corrected silently4 ,texts in a dashed box have for legibility's sake been transcribed from the accompanying illustration1 and do not occur as texts in the source document4 ,page viii3 entry ,index added to ,table of ,contents4 ,page ix-xi3 ,illustration numbers have been added to the ,list of ,illustrations4 ,the smaller illustrations have been added to the list1 with a descriptive caption added where that was not present in the book4 ,page #b3 444 it was not introduced into those counties 444 changed to 444 it was not introduced into those countries 4444 ,page #cd3 444 to snow the result 444 changed to 444 to show the result 4444 ,page #fb3 ,numerous animal and plant parasite 444 changed to ,numerous animal and plant parasites 4444 ,page #ih3 444 four year prior to writing 444 changed to 444 four years prior to writing 4444 ,page #acb1 last table row3 buckweat changed to buckwheat4 ,page #aec3 closing quote mark added after 444 corn silage and alfalfa4 and after 444 have never before looked quite so well4 ,page #afd3 closing quote mark added after 444 that in value approaches alfalfa4 ,page #bjb3 444 facing page #bca 444 changed to 444 facing page #bcj 4444 ,page #beg3 ,paragraph break inserted before ,farmers ,guide says3 4444 ,page #bib3 #aijd-a4bc tons hay 444 changed to #aijc-a4bc tons hay 4444 ,page #bib1 #bic3 short dashes between year and yield changed to long dashes for clarity4 ,page #cjj3 444 at ,highmore ,forge testing station 444 changed to 444 at ,highmore ,forage testing station 4444 ,page #cja3 ,george ,e4 ,mc,eathron of ,beadle county writes3 444 changed to ,george ,e4 ,mc,eathron of ,beadle county writes3 4444 ,pages #cbe1 #ccf3 ,alfalmo and alfalmo changed to ,alfamo and alfamo4 ,page #cbf1 #cci3 ,buckhorn changed to ,buck-horn4 ,page #cbg3 ,colusca ,county changed to ,colusa ,county4 ,page #cbi3 ,dextrine changed to ,dextrin4 ,page #ccd3 ,lumps1 soll1 bad1 444 changed to ,lumps1 soil1 bad1 4444 ,page #cch3 ,redtop changed to ,red-top4