406 



Kansas State Board of Agriculture. 



TABLE No. 36. Pounds of feeding constituents in alfalfa cut at different stages of maturity 



The earlier alfalfa is cut the greater the total amount of ash and pro- 

 tein per ton, and the later the alfalfa is cut the greater the amount of 

 crude fiber and nitrogen-free extract. There are 68 pounds more protein 

 in a ton of alfalfa cut in one-tenth bloom than in a ton of alfalfa cut at 

 the time of seed formation. 



COMPARATIVE VALUE OF LEAVES AND STEMS. 



The leaves are the most valuable part of alfalfa and the stems are 

 least valuable. The relative amount of leaves and stems in the alfalfa 

 cut at different stages of maturity was determined by taking a handful 

 of the alfalfa sample as soon as it was wilted and separating the leaves 

 from the stems by stripping. As soon as thoroughly dry the relative 

 weights were determined. The following figures show the averages from 

 several determinations made on each stage of cutting: 



TABLE No. 37. Relative per cent of leaves and stems cut at different stages. 



Up to and beyond the time of full bloom the leaves make up more than 

 half of the plant. It is probable that the alfalfa cut at the time of seed 

 formation had lost a large part of the leaves before it was cut. The 

 comparative amounts of constituents present in the leaves and stems 

 are shown by the following figures: 



TABLE No. 38. Percentage of feeding constituents in leaves and stems of alfalfa cut at different 



stages of maturity. 



LEAVES. 



