Alfalfa in Kansas. 419 



Experiments conducted at the Kansas Station to determine the rela- 

 tive value of alfalfa and cowpea hay gave the following results: The 

 lambs fed alfalfa hay made more rapid and less expensive gains, showed 

 the same finish and a much greater profit than did the lambs fed cow- 

 pea hay. 



TABLE No. 47. Rations for sheep, which include alfalfa. Sug- 

 gested by the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station. 



FATTENING LAMBS, weighing from 50 to 85 pounds (daily) :* 

 I. 1.2 Ibs. corn. 



.16 Ibs. cottonseed meal. 

 1.5 Ibs. alfalfa hay. 

 1.25 Ibs. silage. 

 II. 1.5 Ibs. kafir. 



. 16 Ibs. cottonseed meal. 

 1.5 Ibs. alfalfa. 

 1.28 Ibs. silage. 

 III. 1.2 Ibs. corn or kafir. 



.16 Ibs. cottonseed meal. 

 2.5 Ibs. alfalfa. 

 BREEDING EWES (daily) :f 

 I. % lb. corn. 

 % lb. bran. 

 2 to 4 Ibs. alfalfa. 

 Some other cheap roughage. 



Sheep, as well as other classes of live stock, show a decided prefer- 

 ence for a certain kind of alfalfa hay. To secure best results hay for 

 sheep must be fine and leafy. Ordinarily the last cutting of alfalfa is 

 the best if it is cured and handled in such a manner that all the leaves 

 are saved. (See "Sheep," in index.) 



ACUTE BLOATING OF THE RUMEN. 



By R. R. DYKSTRA, Professor of Veterinary Medicine, 

 Kansas State Agricultural College. 



SYNONYMS. Gaseous indigestion, hoven, bloating of the paunch, tym- 

 panites. 



DEFINITION. This is an abnormal condition occurring in cattle, sheep, 

 and more rarely in goats. It consists in an unusually large accumula- 

 tion of gas in the first stomach, or rumen, causing an excessive disten- 

 tion of that organ, and frequently associated with paralysis of its walls. 

 The condition may be primary or it may be secondary, meaning that it is 

 due to a disease of some other organ. 



CAUSE. It is usually the result of eating very large quantities of 

 easily fermenting feed, such as clover, alfalfa, vetches, peas, buckwheat, 

 or it may also take place following the ingestion of other green feeds, 

 such as leaves of cabbage, beets, young potatoes, etc. Such feeds are 

 especially dangerous if they are at all wet with dew or frosted. Second- 

 ary bloating, which is almost always chronic in character, is frequently 



* These rations are based on the average amount of feed fed daily for a period of 80 

 to 100 days. However, if these rations are fed the lambs should be started slowly and 

 gradually increased to full feed. 



t The amount of grain and alfalfa hay for breeding ewes will depend upon the condi- 

 tion of the animals. When ewes come into winter quarters in good condition they can be 

 wintered on roughage alone, consisting of alfalfa, corn stover, etc. Where a light grain 

 ration is added the ewes will raise more and stronger lambs and clip a heavier fleece. 



