172 ALFALFA. 
THE FEEDING VALUE OF ALFALFA. 
A comparison of the composition of the dry matter of 
alfalfa hay and clover hay is given in the following table: 
TABLE LXXVII. 






COMPOSITION OF THE DRY MATTER 
No. of pRGeAG Nitrogen- | 
Samples nee) ae Se Fiber Free- Ash 
Analyzed SOS ce Extract 
Alfalfa hay.......-.. 6 17.42 2.62 34.11 37.03 | 8.37 
Red Clover hay... 4 12.97 | 3.43 26.82 49.95 | 7.83 


The most striking feature shown in this table is the large 
amount of protein in the alfalfa hay, This substance is al- 
ways the most valuable constituent of a feeding stuff. It is 
the substance which enters so largely into the composition 
of the flesh and the vital fluids of the body, and in a dairy 
animal, of the milk. Here then we have a source of protein 
which seems to be far superior to red clover which heretofore 
has held undisputed the title of being the best nitrogenous 
forage for Minnesota. With alfalfa as the source of protein 
and corn as the source of carbohydrates and fat, stockmen 
of Minnesota can produce cheaply an ideal ration for the 
production of both milk and meat. 
Alfalfa makes a fairly satisfactory pasture for all farm 
animals but under the continued tramping the plants are 
often injured. It should not be pastured the first year and 
never so late in the fall as to force the plants to go through 
the winter with the crowns exposed, because in this con- 
dition they are apt to winter kill. In pasturing cattle and 
sheep on alfalfa there is some danger of bloat especially when 
the pastureis wet. Perhaps the better way to feed alfalfais to 
mow it and allow it to wilt ashort time before feeding. When 
fed in this way there is a larger yield of forage and no loss 
from bloat. Alfalfa has a laxative effect especially when fed 
green and for this reason it always gives best results when 
fed with some grain or dry fodder. Under these conditions 
it is also more digestible as is shown by the digestion trials 
reported in succeeding pages. 
