FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 473 



it may be cured in the windrow, but often it will be best to cure it in small 

 high cocks. All subsequent handling when hauling to the barn or stack 

 should be done while it is slightly moist with dew so that the loss of leaves 

 may be reduced to a minimum. Rain injures alfalfa even more than it does 

 clover. When placed in stacks, which should be done only when unavoid- 

 able, these should be topped with timothy hay or other material that will 

 shed rain. As a rule alfalfa hay is somewhat more difficult to make and 

 cure properly than is clover, but, in general, it may be said that the same 

 methods will apply to both crops. 



PASTURING ALFALFA. 



As a rule alfalfa should not be pastured the first season, and but lightly 

 the second. At no time should it be pastured closely. By close pasturing 

 the crowns of the plants are injured. Horses and sheep are more likely to 

 do damage in this way than are cattle or hogs. On account of injury to 

 the crowns from tramping, it should not be pastured when the ground is 

 soft. As has been already stated, alfalfa makes excellent pasture for all 

 kinds of live stock, being very nutritious and healthful. With cattle and 

 sheep care must be taken to avoid bloating. The animals, at first, should 

 be turned in for only a short time each day until they become accustomed to 

 it, and when the alfalfa is wet, as after a rain, there is still greater need of 

 care. It is wise to be a little more careful than with clover. 



SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS. 



Good crops of alfalfa can be grown on almost all Indian soils that have 

 good, deep drainage. Water must never stand on or near the surface. 



It will yield from three to five tons of excellent hay per acre per season, 

 and for soiling or pasture it has few equals. 



It is rich in fiesh forming nutrients and is excellent for feeding with corn 

 or other starchy foods. 



It is more digestible than red clover and is not far behind wheat bran in 

 feeding value. 



It is an excellent soil renovator, gathering nitrogen from the air, opening 

 up the soil and bringing large quantities of mineral food from the subsoil. 



It may be sown at any time from early spring to midsummer, provided 

 there is sufficient moisture to give it a good start, but rather early sowing 

 seems preferable. 



The seed-bed must be deep and finely prepared and about twenty 

 pounds of good seed per acre should be used. The seed should be lightly 

 covered with a harrow or weeder. 



It may be sown either with or without a nurse crop. The nurse crop is 

 to be recommended where weeds are likely to be troublesome, but it should 

 in all cases be cut for hay soon after it heads out. A half seeding of oats or 

 beardless barley makes a good nurse crop. 



Inoculation will be necessary in nearly all cases and should not be 

 neglected. 



A good dressing of farmyard manure will aid materially in securing a 

 good stand and vigorous growth. It will also facilitate the inoculation pro- 

 cess. 



