SOILING AND PASTURE. 327 



should be large, so that they will 'hold at least a 

 day's supply of forage, and they may just as well 

 hold enough for two or more days. They ought to 

 be on runners so that they can be readily moved by 

 attaching a team of horses. Thus the racks need 

 not stand in any one spot long enough to kill the 

 grass there. And wherever they stand the grass will 

 be wonderfully thickened and improved. 



Cows will give more milk and make it cheaper to 

 have the run of a grass field in connection with al- 

 falfa soiling than when they are soiled on alfalfa 

 in the stable. There is also a great economy of labor 

 in this practice since there is no manure to handle, 

 and if the racks are moved often the spread of fer- 

 tility over the grass field will wonderfully improve 

 the pasturage. 



In cutting alfalfa for soiling one ought always 

 after the first cutting to be governed by the growth 

 of the buds or shoots at the base of the stems as al- 

 ready directed. Thus the vigor of the plants will 

 not be disturbed and the yield will continue un- 

 diminished for several years. 



In the San Joaquin Valley, of California, are 

 many very great alfalfa ranches and farms. I have 

 seen there large dairies fed on green alfalfa and on 

 alfalfa <silage, it being found better to ensilo the al- 

 falfa in order to soften the prickly beards of the 

 wild grasses infesting the fields. The more common 

 practice throughout the San Joaquin Valley, how- 

 ever, is to pasture the alfalfa in summer and feed 



