Alfalfa in Kansas. 261 



the most nutritious part of the alfalfa plant and give the best results it 

 is necessary to adopt a method by which the greatest per cent of leaves 

 can be preserved. When the hay is dried too much in the field, and raked 

 up and handled in that dry state, there is a great loss in the leaves, and 

 the result is that there is largely stemmy hay, which is less palatable and 

 less digestible. 



The past year (1915) has probably been one of the most unfavorable 

 years for the curing of hays that we have had for some time, and one 

 which has resulted in millions of dollars loss throughout the country, on 

 account of the improper curing of hay, especially alfalfa. With this idea 

 in mind it was the intention to devise a scheme by which hay could be 

 properly cured in the mow of the average igood dairy barn, without de- 

 stroying its nutritive value, and at the same time to have this done eco- 

 nomically without an original great outlay of capital. 



Consequently, a four-horse gasoline engine was put into operation 

 with a pressure blower which forced large volumes of air through the 

 hay during the day, through a perforated pipe, penetrating the floor 

 below and escaping into the hay above. The engine was operated during 

 the day for three consecutive days to cure out one cutting of hay, which 

 was approximately six feet thick in the mow. This was partially dried 

 in the field before being put into the barn, but was still very tough. 



At the end of the day's run a humidor was placed at the end of the 

 suction pipe, into which one-half gallon of formaldehyde was emptied, 

 and was then forced into the hay, thus completely checking any fermen- 

 tation that might arise during the night and at the same time sterilizing 

 the hay. This left the hay in a very bright condition, apparently with 

 very little loss of protein. It was considered a success from the stand- 

 point of conserving the constituents a fact proved by chemical determi- 

 nation. However, in regard to the actual feeding value no statment can 

 be made, but there is no reason to believe that the result would be other 

 than that obtained by chemical analysis. 



It can readily be seen that this method saves considerable labor. How- 

 ever, it necessitates the use of gasoline; but the cost of this is less than 

 the expense for labor to cock 'the hay, and the saving of the protein in 

 the leaves is a decided economical advantage. 



The probable cost would not exceed $1.50 per ton, depending upon the 

 price of gasoline. As nearly as can be estimated, the saving in the 

 nutritive value of the leaves and the labor for cocking and pitching will 

 overbalance the cost of the gasoline. There is no doubt but what the 

 farmer who is obliged to depend upon field curing during the rainy 

 season will be greatly benefited by the use of this apparatus. 



