6 



teams in condition. For six weeks last summer Capt. J. 

 C. Webb, of Demopolis, Ala., fed all the mules on one of 

 bis plantations on alfalfa alone. Although they were at 

 work they kept in satisfactory condition. Alfalfa hay 

 has also been successfully used as part of the winter ra- 

 tion for hogs. Alfalfa hay is similar to melilotus hay in 

 composition, but much more palatable. It is less coarse, 

 makes a better appearance, and, unlike melilotus hay, it 

 is salable. 



As a soiling plant, alfalfa may be utilized througiiout 

 every x)ortion of Alabama, since the small area needed for 

 this purpose will enable the soil to be suitably manured 

 or limed or otherwise brought into condition for its suc- 

 cessful growth. The especial advantage of alfalfa for 

 soiling is the early date at which it is available, rye be- 

 ing the only other practicable crop which may be cut as 

 early in the season. Alfalfa remains green throughout 

 the year except in December, January, and February. In 

 Central Alabama, alfalfa has been cut for food for horses 

 as early as March 11. In nutritive qualities, green al- 

 falfa is decidedly superior to green rye, and is eaten with 

 relish by all farm stock and poultry. 



Alfalfa is sometimes used as a pasture plant on soils to 

 which it is well adapted, but is too valuable for hay or 

 soiling to justify its general use for pasturage, until the 

 acreage in alfalfa is greater than is needed for hay mak- 

 ino" and soiling. Pasturage shortens the life of the al- 

 falfa plant by enabling weeds to outgrow it, and by pack- 

 ing the soil too closelv around the crown and roots, and 

 also by the injury resulting from very close continuous, 

 o-razina,-. Stock should never run on an alfalfa field 

 when the ground is wet or frozen, nor during the first 

 year after the seed are sown. Cattle and sheep are sub- 

 ject to bloat when grazing on alfalfa. It is safer in this 

 respect for horses, and perfectly safe for hogs. No one 



