Alfalfa, The Enchanted Herb 71T 



instances (as with i-ed clover) hut hy no means always, the like- 

 lihood of its causing fatal bloat, especially when wet or of very 

 rank growth, prevents its being a trustworthy pasture plant for 

 cattle or sheep. It should not be grazed npon at all until well 

 established, and then not severely. If not stocked so heavily as 

 to prevent one or two cuttings of hay during the grazing season, 

 the fresh growths following the mowings will afford conditions 

 well-nigh perfect. 



Improper management often kills out stands of alfalfa. This 

 applies to too close or too late cutting in the fall, and to over- 

 pasturing, especially during the winter and early spring months. 

 In the northern states, leaving the last of a season's growth uncut 

 to the height of eight or ten inches for protection of the plants 

 against the severity of winter is almost a necessity. 



With all its virtues, alfalfa is not a commodity to be grown 

 for sale, but for consumption by live stock on the farm that pro- 

 duces both. Those who use a- right intelligence in its raising 

 and conversion into meat, milk, and manure can scarcely evade 

 prosperity, while they will be builders of a constructive and 

 conserving husbandry. 



