- FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 385 



alarming rate. Only where the dust mulch v/as maintained did vege- 

 tation of any kind grow and prosper. 



To confirm my belief in this dust mulch theory on the increased 

 yield of alfalfa, I again disked a part of another field last year. The 

 early spring of that year — ^1902 — was very dry with us. 



Now the result last year was the same as the year before, but the 

 increased yield was noticeable only on the first and slightly on the sec- 

 ond cutting. But the dry season turned about the middle of June to a 

 very wet one. After the rains began to fall no difference could be 

 noticed in the field, either while the crop was standing or in handling 

 tne hay. 



From the results of these experiments I am led to believe that the 

 yield can be materially increased by the use of the disk in a dry itme. 

 Of course, the harrow should always follow the disk so as to leave the 

 surface, in as fine tittle as possible. 



While the results of the disk have so far been very gratifying, and 

 no ill results have thus far appeared, I have a fear, and a grave one too, 

 that the constant use of the disk will so scar and cut the roots thai 

 disease and death must result. 



However, the disk will be used on our farm until what is feared ' 

 is proven true or groundless. 



]\rondamin, Iowa. 



ALFALFA AND PROTEIN. 



Breeders' Gazette. 



Time was when wheat bran was almost unknown as a common farm 

 stock food. Our older readers recall the time when horsemen and others 

 were heard to say that bran was about as good as sawdust — no better. 

 In those days bran v/as cheap and the wise ones were feeding it quietly, 

 appreciating its value, while the great mass carefully let it alone. Then 

 came the work of the agricultural colleges and experiemnt stations 

 showing the food value of bran, and under this stimulus and enlight- 

 ment prices have advanc3d until feeders are crying out to the college:? 

 to let the subject alone and to the millers to have mercy on them. 

 Bran has been the best advertised feeding stuff in the whole list before 

 the American farming public, and its prices have soared accordingly. 



Those who have recognized the situation and experienced the steady 

 demand for a protein-rich food, are seeking eagerly for relief from the 

 heavy burden laid upon them by the miller. On many farms light is 

 breaking and relief coming through the blessed alfalfa plant, one of 

 Nature's grandest gifts to agricultural man. This tiny plant, so insig- 

 nificant in size and so helpless during its first months of growth, soon 

 deepens its roots into the soil and spreads its beaut'iful foliage to the 

 air and sunshine, gathering nutrients and piling them up into leaf and 

 stem until great crops of rich forage are made available to the prudent, 

 thifty farmer who is wise enough to grow this plant. Best of all 

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