Alfalfa, The Enchanted Herb 



ni 



the cheapest source of protein 

 For animals that are growing or giving milk, the element most 

 desired is protein — the one that makes bone and mnscle and 

 milk and blood rather than fat. The Wisconsin Experiment 

 Station has demonstrated that an acre of alfalfa will yield three 

 times as mnch protein as an acre of clover and nine times as 

 ninch as an acre of timothy. In protein content, good alfalfa hay 

 does not differ widely from wheat bran. With corn, it makes a 

 practically perfect balanced ration. 



Government reports say that, based on as many as 21 to 68 

 analyses, the percentage of protein in timothy hay is 5.9; in 

 clover, 12.3 ; in wheat bran, 12.2 ; in alfalfa, 14.3. Figiired on 

 their digestible nntrients, if a ton of timothy hay is worth $9.80, 

 a ton of clover would be valued at $14.12, and of alfalfa at $20.16, 

 or somewhat more than twice the value of timothy. The per- 

 centage of digestibility of the protein in timothy has been found 

 to be 48; clover, 55; alfalfa, 73. 



Fiu. Ub7. — Alfalfa on Fakm of Wesley Stewart, Near Newburoh, 



Orange County, N. Y. 



essentials to success in growing the crop 



In the hands of a novice, after one or two unsuccessful attempts 

 to raise it, alfalfa has not, as a rule, had a fair trial. The fact 

 of a man's having tried it in a given locality once or twice without 

 success, may signify little as to its adaptability. Failure may 



