364 FIELD CROPS 



as 10 pounds of bran. It contains nearly twice as much pro- 

 tein as clover hay and as much of the other nutrients. When 

 fed to dairy cattle, it can largely take the place of grain or 

 mill feeds. It produces rapid gains on beef cattle, sheep, and 

 hogs, when fed with corn or other grain rich in carbohydrates. 

 Growing stock of all kinds utilize alfalfa to good advantage, 

 and it produces excellent results when fed to laying hens. 



478. Alfalfa Pasture. While the stand of alfalfa is in- 

 jured if it is pastured too closely, where this crop is grown 

 in a short rotation there is little harm in pasturing it. No 

 better pasture for hogs can be found. If it is desired to 

 pasture the same field for several years, a large enough acre- 

 age should be provided so that it is never eaten down close. 

 If necessary, it may be cut for hay at intervals during the 

 season. Care should be taken to avoid bloating in first 

 turning cattle and sheep on alfalfa pasture (Section 453). 



479. Alfalfa for Soiling. Perhaps as large returns are 

 obtained from soiling alfalfa as in any other way. It starts 

 into growth again quickly and there is no waste in feeding. 

 The largest yields are obtained if it is cut just when the new 

 sprouts start from the crown, for then there is no delay in 

 the production of the next crop. 



480. Alfalfa Meal. During recent years the manu- 

 facture of meal from alfalfa hay has attained some promi- 

 nence. This is simply the hay ground fine, so that stock eat 

 the coarser stems as well as the leaves. In this form it can 

 be fed without loss to all kinds of stock, including poultry. 



481. Insect and Rodent Pests. The grasshopper is the 

 most serious insect enemy of alfalfa in most sections. Disk- 

 ing the field in the very early spring is sometimes beneficial, 

 since it exposes the young grasshoppers to the spring frosts 

 and the attacks of birds. The use of the ''hopperdozer," 

 an implement which when drawn across the fields knocks the 

 insects into a pan of oil, is sometimes necessary when the 

 pests become serious. Blister beetles sometimes cause in- 



