can afford to graze cattle or sheep on alfalfa unless thor- 

 onglily informed in regard to all possible precautions for 

 decreasing the amount of bloat and unless he has a sur- 

 plus of alfalfa over and above that which he can use for 

 hay and soiling. The principal precautions against bloat 

 are (1) feeding dry food before cattle or sheep are first 

 turned on alfalfa; (2) gradually lengthening the daily 

 gTazing period; (3) allowing sftoek grazing on alfalfa to 

 have access at the same time to a pasture containing pala- 

 table grass. 



Alfalfa makes an unrivaled pasture for hogs. One 

 may conservatively estimate an acre of good alfalfa pas- 

 ture as capable of supporting a sufficient number of hogs 

 to weigh at least 1,000 pounds. This record has been 

 greatlv exceeded. F. 1). Coburn savs : "Ten vouug hogs 

 l>er acrt^ will not damage alfalfa, and should make 1,000 

 pounds of gain in a season, under ordinary conditions, 

 without ni'ain.'' While hogs make satisfactory and econ- 

 omiical growth on green alfalfa alone, they more com- 

 pletely utilize this crop when a little corn is fed. Alfalfa 

 used as a hog pasture, should be mowed whenever it be- 

 comes tall or coarse, to promote fresh tender growth. 

 King.-; in the hog's' noses are advisable to prevent destruc- 

 tion (if alfalfa pastures by rooting. The young shoots 

 on alfalfa remain green practically all winter in central 

 Alabama. 



Alfalfa has been made into silage with varying success. 

 In our climate where we have frequent rains, the silo 

 might prove a profitable means of utilizing cuttings of 

 alfalfa too much injured by rains to make good hay, but 

 still succulent. 



In Alabama alfalfa should be uesd for soil-improve- 

 ment only after it has outlived its usefulness as a food 

 plant. Alfalfa g^reatly enriches the soil in nitrogen 

 gathered from the air. 



