Alfalfa in Kansas. 



417 



PASTURING ALFALFA. 



Many farmers pasture alfalfa with their cows. Alfalfa is usually 

 the first green crop in the spring and the last one in the fall, and many 

 make use of this early and late pasturage. There is quite a risk attached 

 to the grazing of cows on alfalfa, but where it is properly handled the 

 losses are very slight. Cattle should not be turned on the alfalfa unless 

 they have previously had access to some dry feed. If the cows are put 

 on the pasture in an empty, hungry condition they gorge themselves with 

 the hay, and usually bloat, and in some cases fatalities result. 



SOILING ALFALFA. 



In communities where soiling is practiced it is found that alfalfa fits 

 into the soiling system exceptionally well. It is one of the first crops to 

 be fed in the spring and furnishes a more continuous supply all summer 

 than any other soiling crop. (See "Dairy cattle," in index.) 



ALFALFA AS A FEED FOR SHEEP. 



By A. M. PATERSON, Assistant Animal Husbandman, Kansas State Agricultural College. 



Less use has been made of alfalfa as a sheep feed than for any other 

 class of live stock. However, experience and experiments have both 

 shown that alfalfa is a very valuable sheep feed. It is imperative that 

 alfalfa as a feed for sheep become more generally appreciated in Kansas. 



When alfalfa is pastured great care should be taken to prevent bloat, 

 which may cause serious loss. After alfalfa has become mature, or is 

 mixed with other grasses, the danger is somewhat eliminated. However, 

 care should be taken at all times. Before the sheep are turned on alfalfa 

 pasture they should be fed a large amount of dry feed, such as hay or 

 fodder, and turned out to graze when the alfalfa is free from dew or 



m f j 



Fid. 354. A rack for feeding alfalfa hay to sheep. [Courtesy Breeder's Gazette.] 



