700 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



to which the hay has been cured in the field. Different plats cut and 

 hauled on the same days may vary as much as 20 per cent in shrink- 

 age, the hay handled early in the day possibly containing twice as 

 much moisture as that hauled in the afternoon. As an average the 

 cured hay will shrink from 20 to 30 per cent of field cured weight. 



It is claimed that the first cutting of alfalfa might well be put in the 

 silo, as in this way loss due to unfavorable weather at the time of 

 curing could be largely eliminated. As yet but a small per cent of our 

 Iowa farms are equipped with silos, and those who have them will 

 find corn the best crop v/ith which to fill them. The palatability and 

 nutritive value of alfalfa is not increased in any such degree as is corn 

 when made into silage. 



While a very nutritive silage, has scmetimes teen made from alfalfa 

 the palatability is likely not to be good, owing to too much acid and a 

 disagreeable order. This is especially true when the alfalfa is cut at 

 the stage of maturity usually recommended for hay making. When 

 alfalfa is to be put in the silo it should be more fully mature before 

 cutting, and should then be hauled just as soon as possible. 



ALFAIiFA PASTURE. 



Alfalfa from its habit of growth, is, generally speaking, not a good 

 pasture crop. Grasses make their growth at the base of the leaves, 

 while alfalfa grows from terminal buds and when they are eaten on 

 the plant makes very little or no growth until new buds can be formed. 

 As a result, a small patch of alfalfa pastured close is of comparatively 

 little value. A combination of pasturing and mowing is most satis- 

 factory. A large field which is to be cut regularly for hay can very 

 economically be pastured with hogs throughout the season. The pasture 

 should at all times be under-stocked. 



Alfalfa pastured without cutting usually becomes very much spotted, 

 weeds and grass coming in, and making it necessary to plow up in a 

 very few years. 



There is always some danger in pasturing sheep and cattle on alfalfa, 

 as it is very likely to cause bloat. This danger is much increased when 

 pasturing young alfalfa or alfalfa on moist or fertile soil, which is 

 making rapid growth. Animals should not be turned on alfalfa when 

 hungry and at least with sheep and cattle the alfalfa should be well 

 advanced towards blooming. 



Animals must never be allowed on the alfalfa when frozen or muddy; 

 else the alfalfa will be greatly injured. 



Thorough trials with alfalfa as a pasture for hogs are reported in 

 the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin No. 136, "Forage 

 Crops for Swine." 



ALFALFA IN ROTATION. 



Objection is often made that alfalfa does not fit well into a rotation; 

 that it demands too long a use of the land in getting established, and 

 that seedings are too likely to be lost. 



