242 MEADOWS AND PASTURES 



to cut it as near as one can in regular rotation at the right 

 time, keeping watch of the upspringing of the little shoots 

 at the base of the stems, since to cut it before these start 

 will decrease the second cutting. Once started right, one 

 can mow off a certain area each day and thus keep it all 

 in full vigor. It is better for alfalfa to be allowed to 

 stand a few days too long than to be cut off too soon. 

 The best way to soil cows is to have near the alfalfa field 

 a pasture of bluegrass, brome grass or some other good 

 pasture grass with large movable racks into which the 

 green forage may be put. Thus the animals may largely 

 balance their rations as nature suggests to them. Thus, 

 also, the pasture is fed by the droppings of the animals, 

 and by frequent changes of location with the racks no 

 manure will ever be hauled. I have fed beef cattle in 

 this manner with fine results. They had also a daily 

 ration of ears of corn. 



How Many Cuttings of Alfalfa? Depending on the 

 latitude, from 2 to 6 or more cuttings are taken in the 

 United States. I believe, however, that alfalfa is often 

 cut too frequently and that in our latitude on the 4Oth 

 parallel (running through Columbus, O., Indianapolis, 

 Ind., and northern Missouri and the border between Kan- 

 sas and Nebraska) it is really better to cut three times 

 than oftener. Commonly alfalfa here will be ready to 

 cut by June i, and again by July 10; afterward it does 

 not come on so rapidly, unless the season proves very 

 favorable. The third cutting will be delayed till about 

 the last of August. Delays in doing the work caused by 

 unfavorable weather may prolong these dates consider- 

 ably. I should never cut alfalfa in our latitude in Oc- 



