SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VIII. 807 



8. In this section of Wisconsin, under favorable conditions, occasion- 

 ally one cutting of alfalfa can be secured the same season of sowing. 

 No attempt should be made to cut alfalfa later than the middle of Sejp- 

 tember, as a suflacient growth cannot be secured after that period to 

 afford proper winter protection. 



9. Alfalfa fields that are to be used for the production of alfalfa hay 

 should not be pastured, as pasturing will injure the growth of the alfalfa 

 plants, nor should the crop be cut too close to the ground at the time 

 ®f harvesting. 



10. Hay caps are essential in curing alfalfa hay especially the first 

 crop, as they protect it from rain, dew and sunshine, each of which acta 

 in a detrimental way on alfalfa after cutting. 



11 On the Station farm the American variety of alfalfa has equalled 

 in every respect the so-called Turkestan variety; the seed is less expen- 

 sive and free from noxious weed seeds. 



On practically all plots where the Turkestan alfalfa seed wa« sown by 

 members of the experiment association, European mustard plants were 

 found during the growing period, showing that the seed was impure. 

 There seems to be qo advantage in sowing the Turkestan variety, as its 

 origin is of doubtful character and it seems quite conclusive that the 

 major portion of the Turkestan alfalfa seed sold is so in name only. 



12. All farm animals eat green alfalfa and alfalfa hay with a relish 

 and do well on it. 



Alfalfa has about the same feeding value as wheat bran and may he 

 considered as an equal to that feed for dairy cattle and other farm 

 animals. 



ADULTERATION OF ALFALFA AND RED CLOVER SEED. 



CIRCULAR FROil THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICtlLTURE. 



Seeds of alfalfa and red clover have been obtained and tested in 

 accordance with the following paragraph in the act of Congress making 

 appropriations for the Department of Agriculture: . 



"The Secretary of Agriculture is hereby directed to obtain in the 

 open market samples of seeds of grass, clover, or alfalfa, tests the same, 

 and if any such seeds are found to be adulterated or misbranded, or 

 any seeds of Canada blue-grass (Poa compressa) are obtained under any 

 ether name than Canada blue-grass or Poa compressa to publish the 

 results of the tests, together with the names of the persons by whom 

 the seeds were offered for sale." 



