ALFALFA IN SOUTH AMERICA. 353 



for market they are shifted about from one pasture 

 to another and are given the best on the place. At 

 other times they are not moved much but are left in 

 one large pasture sufficient for their needs for a 

 year. 



In the summer much alfalfa is allowed to go to 

 waste because it is not always practicable to put 

 on enough cattle to eat it all, as there would not be 

 feed enough in the winter. Some cutting of pastured 

 alfalfa is often done. After the first spring growth 

 has been eaten down the cattle are taken away for 

 a few weeks, and hay is put up, with a temporary 

 fence around the stacks. In winter when feed gets 

 short these fences are often taken away and cattle 

 allowed to help themselves, though some ranchmen 

 practice a less wasteful method of feeding. 



These ranchmen have learned by experience that 

 the alfalfa will be better in the winter and will live 

 longer if it is not eaten down closely in the summer 

 but is allowed to grow to its full height. 



The following estimate of cost of making alfalfa 

 hay in Argentina gives clue to labor conditions and 

 wages down there. The estimate is from the Jewish 

 colony at Mosesville, 100 miles northwest of the city 

 of Santa Fe: 



Price in stack, per ton $2.40 



Cost of mowing with machine $0.36 



Raking-, gathering 1 , stacking . 71 



Total cost of making hay $1.07 



Net profit per ton $1 . 33 



