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HARVESTING ALFALFA. 



A discussion of the methods of harvesting alfalfa and 

 of the machinery and devices employed would unduly ex- 

 tend this bulletin. In brief, alfalfa should be cured with 

 the shortest practicable exposure in the swartli to the 

 sun. The leaves are the richest portion of alfalfa, and if 

 the hay is sunned too long the leaves drop off. The pre- 

 ferred time for cutting alfalfa is when about one-fourth 

 in bloom, but this varies with the weather and with the 

 thrift of the plants. 



SUMMARY. 



Alfalfa is a perennial leguminous plant, useful for 

 ha}',, feeding green, pasturage, and for soil improve- 

 iiie t. In nutritive qualities alfalfa stands in the front 

 rank, and when fed to farm teams the ration of corn 

 can be greatlv diminished. On suitable soil the vield of 

 hay exceeds that of any other hay plant. On prairie 

 soils in Alabama yields of more than 3 tons per acre 

 vejc in two instance* obtained within seven months 

 iiitvY sowing the seed, and the yield continues to increase 

 for several years. Farmers report 3 to 5 tons per acre 

 as the usual yield of hay per acre on prairie soil in Ala- 

 bama, and in a number of instances these yields are 

 greatly exceeded. 



Alfalfa makes an unrivaled hog pasture, and is also 

 recommended as a pasture plant for horses and mules. 

 Cattle and sheep sometimes bloat when grazing on al- 



