814 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The yield per acre of the different crops and cuttings of alfalfa are 

 discussed at some length and the results expressed in tabular form. 



"From the results of the 3 seasons' trials with alfalfa, early cut (just before 

 bloom), medium cut (1 week after first bloom), and late cut (1 week after full bloom), 

 the following couclusious seem warranted: 



" (1) Steers, fed the alfalfa either with or without grain, made the most rapid gains 

 on the early cut, and the lowest on the late cut, or they stand as follows : Early cut, 

 100; medium cut, 77; late cut, 68. 



"(2) For both first and second crops the early cut was first in rate of gain, while 

 for the first crop the late cut was better than the medium cut, and for the second 

 crop the medium cut was far the better of the two. 



"(3) The food eaten per day was slightly the highest for the early cut and lowest 

 for the late cut, standing as 100 for the early cut, 99 for the medium cut, and 85 for 

 the late cut. 



"(4) Pound for pound, the early cut was the best, the late cut, second best, and 

 the medium cut poorest. They stand as 100 for the early cut, 78 for the medium 

 cut, and 81 for the late cut. 



"(5) The early cut yielded the most hay when weighed into the barn, the medium 

 cut coming second, and the late cut last. 



"(6) The early cut contained the most moisture, and when all are reduced to the 

 same moisture content, 12 per cent, which the hay contained when fed, the yield 

 stands: Early cut, 100; medium cut, 93; and late cut, 90. 



" (7) In amount of beef produced per acre the standing is : Early cut, 100 ; medium 

 cut, 71; and late cut, 71. 



"(8) In yield of protein, a very valuable nutrient, the standing is: Early cut, 100; 

 medium cut; 78, and late cut, 82. 



"(9) During the 2 weeks of budding and flowering there appears to be no addi- 

 tional growth ; in fact, our results show a loss of 82 lbs. iier acre of drj' matter during 

 this period" 



Two tests were made in which the object was to compare alfalfa with 

 mixed hay and with alfalfa mixed with straw. 



The first test (1894-'95), lasting 123 days, was made with 3 lots of 4 

 steers each. Lot 1 was fed mixed hay, bran, and wheat; lot 2, alfalfti, 

 bran, and wheat; and lot 3, alfalla, straw, bran, and wheat. The ani- 

 mals Avere fed all they would eat. 



The second test (ISOa-'OO), which lasted 95 days, was made with 6 

 cows and G steers, divided into 3 uniform lots of li cows and 2 steers. 

 The rations fed were the same as those used in the first test. The 

 results of these trials are expressed in detail in tabular form. 



The average results of the 2 tests are given in the following table, the 

 financial statement being based on alfalfa at 13.50, mixed hay at $4.50, 

 and straw at $1 per ton, and ground wheat at 65 cts., and bran at 45 

 cts. per 100 lbs. : 



Average results for 2 years of feeding mixed hay, alfalfa, and alfalfa and straw to steers. 



Weight at 

 beginning. 



\ Pounds. 



Mixed hay 930 



Alfalfa . . .' [ 921 



Alfalfa and straw 924 



Weight 

 at end. 



Pounds. 

 1, 228 

 1,164 

 1,233 



Gain per 

 day. 



Pound*. 

 2.27 

 1.80 

 2.34 



Cost of 



ration per 



month. 



$2.61 

 2. :iO 

 2.21 



