REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 



175 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



ALFALFA. 



The plot for this experiment was of the same size as that for the trial with clover, 

 one-twentieth acre. Similarly, the north half was reserved for four cuttings, and the 

 south side for two cuttings. 



North Side — Four Cuttings. — The first cutting took place on June 4. The plants 

 had an average height of 30 inches, and from appearance, were about one week from 

 blooming. 



Second cutting, July 15. Average height of plants 28 inches. About half the 

 plants were in bloom. 



Third cutting was made on August 19, when the average height of the alfalfa was 

 20 inches. No bloom showing. 



The date of the fourth cutting was September 18. The average height of the crop 

 was 20 inches, and none of the plants were in bloom. 



South Side — Two Cuttings. — First cutting was taken June 21. Average height 

 of plants 39 inches. 



Second cutting, taken August 1. Average height 20 inches. About one-tenth of 

 the plants in bloom. 



Comparative Yields from Two and Four Cuttings. 



The difference to be observed between the yields of fresh material per acre of the 

 north and south sides, though still in favour of the former, is not so great as in the case 

 of the clover. Further, though we notice a corresponding increase in the crude pro- 

 tein of the north half, more ' dry matter ' by 50 pounds was obtained from the south 

 half (two cuttings) of the plot. 



Alfalfa. 



Weight Weight of Weight of 



of Crop per Dry Matter Crude Protein 



acre. per acre. per acre. 



North side (four cuttings) 

 South side (two cuttings) . 



Lbs. 

 9,690 



8,480 



Lbs. 

 2,137 



2,185 



Lbs. 

 414 



353 



By a reference to table LT. the explanation of the larger amount of dry matter 

 from the two cuttings (south side) will be apparent. In the first, third, and fourth 

 cuttings (north side) the alfalfa is seen to possess 79 per cent of water, whereas the 

 crop from the south side (cut twice) never contained more than 75 per cent water. The 

 averages of moisture-content and dry matter are as follows : — 



Moisture. Dry Matter. 



North side (four cuttings) 77 -88- 22-12 



South side (two cuttings) 73-00 27 -00 



The more advanced stage of growth in the alfalfa of the south side plot when cut, 

 fully accounts for the smaller percentage of water. 



Weight and Composition of Dry Hatter in Crops of Various Cuttings. 



South Side — Two Cuttings. — Compared, weight for weight, the crops of the first 

 and second cuttings, as regards dry matter and albuminoids, give data as follows: — 



