658 



IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Fig-. 5. — Extensive tests show that alfalfa is the best of all pastures 

 for hogs. Photograph shows portion of six-acre field on farm of A. M, 

 Avery, Mason City, Iowa, which will be used for this purpose. This 

 field was seeded in late summer, a perfect stand being secured without 

 a weed in sig-ht. 



FEED VALUE. 



Alfalfa has a very high feeding value, either as hay or pasture. It 

 has a relatively high content of digestible protein. 



All crops other than the legumes contain a relatively high per cent of 

 carbohydrates and a relatively low per cent of protein — the stuff feeders 

 are forced to buy as concentrates to balance rations. Alfalfa, on the con- 

 trary, has a relatively high per cent of protein and is easily digested, 

 qualities that cannot be overestimated. 



TABLE IV. 

 The Average Composition of Alfalfa as Compared "with Other Farm Crops*. 



♦Compiled from Henry's "Feeds and Feeding." 



Alfalfa hay is especially valuable to the dairyman, though it is also 

 known to give excellent results with all classes of live stock. It is es- 

 pecially valuable where a rapid development of muscle and bone is es- 

 sential, as with brood sows, young pigs and steers. 



