Alfalfa in Kansas. 133 



FIG. 127. Sheep also are very susceptible to "bloat" on alfalfa pasturage. 

 [Courtesy Kansas Experiment Station.] 



two and one-half. It is important not to overpasture with these animals, 

 for with their habit of eating closely there is great danger of killing the 

 alfalfa. There are many growers who pasture during the growing 

 season only, while just as many pasture during the fall and early winter 

 only. The following reports very clearly indicate the general trend of 

 opinion as regards alfalfa for horse and mule pasturage: 



Shawnee county: "I pasture the first and last crops with horses. The 

 first crop the pasturing cuts short about one-third; the last crop the 

 horses consume entirely. It pays me best. As soon as they have no 

 prairie grass in the fall I put them on the alfalfa, and they remain there 

 until spring. If there is not too much snow they winter without any other 

 feed no grain at all. It certainly is a cheap way to raise horses, and in 

 my judgment is much the best way. I pasture at the rate of one head 

 per acre." 



Allen county: "Fine conditioner." 



Chautauqua county: "It is good for horses and mules; a splendid 

 tonic." 



Dickinson county: "Pasture them in the fall and it makes them fat." 

 Geary county: "With grain, nothing fattens more quickly." 



Geary county: "There is no feed that will put fat on horses or mules 

 like a good alfalfa pasture." 



Hodgeman county: "Stock in poor condition, especially horses, will 

 pick up and get fat even in the winter." 



Neosho county: "Good results with colts or horses, and especially 

 with brood mares with suckling colts." 



Clark county: "Good for young stock." 



Jackson county: "It is safe and profitable pasture for horses and 

 mules." 



