76 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Oct. 



unknown reason, alfalfa cut too soon becomes sick, the stems 

 come on delicate, spindling little things bearing yellow leaves. If 

 cut too late, the plant may have accomplished its natural life 

 work of reproduction and hence die a natural death ; or the mow- 

 ing machine may clip the top buds of each of the stems that were 

 to have made the next cutting. Then, too, if one cuts alfalfa in 

 a humid climate, especially where there is much moisture in the 

 ground, and cuts it in the forenoon, he cuts it when there is most 

 moisture in the stems and leaves. The hay is longer in curing, 

 the bacteria of decay have a longer time to work, and hence the 

 hay is of less value. But if one cuts it in the afternoon, when the 

 stems and leaves are wilted, he is able to put up the hay sooner, 

 it is dryer and richer, and in every way better. Of course this 

 does not offer so favorable a labor schedule,' but alfalfa is rich 

 enough in food elements so that some extra labor can well be 

 used in harvesting it. 



But the man who does not understand alfalfa will suffer the 

 greatest loss, because he does not use the side delivery rake or 

 the hay caps. The alfalfa leaf is the richest part of the plant. 

 Horses do not like leaves so well, but cattle and chickens like them 

 better. But the leaves are very readily shattered off unless the 

 hay is cured under the hay caps. Some people make the mistake 

 of having caps that are too small. The caps should be at least 50 

 by 50 inches. The corners may be fastened with weights or wire 

 pins. Weights are made by filling small plant pots with cement 

 into which has been placed a wire loop or hook. Wire pins are 

 most pleasing to some. The pins are made by cutting a good 

 strong wire into foot lengths and then bending a hook or loop at 

 one end. The pin is jabbed into the hay under the cap and thus 

 holds the corners down and the cap on. 



From what I know of , alfalfa, I am led to believe that more 

 fields are ruined by being cut too early or too wet than by all 

 other calamities combined. Alfalfa if cut a few days, say a week 

 too early, will start again, grow weak, spindling stocks, turn 

 yellow and stand still for a month. If cut when v/et, the alfalfa 

 gets the jaundice and you will need heavy doses of medicine and 

 pills to revive it. Cut alfalfa in the hot part of the day. Begin 

 to cut about one o'clock and cut until about four on dry days. 

 This gives the stems and leaves all night to let water pass through 



