202 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



ish from tnree to six crops of hay, with a 

 fair yield of seed. The seed is protected 

 by an oily covering that prevents it from 

 decaying for weeks or months after being 

 sown, even though the climate may be un- 

 favorable for seed germination. A long 

 tap root extends several feet into the ground 

 penetrating the sub-surface strata, in quest 

 of moisture and plant food, making the 

 clover an early and prolific pasture for 

 horses, cattle sheep and hogs. The green 

 leaves are valuable food for all kinds of 

 poultry and make the egg product more 

 profitable when hens are permitted to 

 range in the alfalfa fields. 



The seed is usually sown in the spring, 

 on oats or barley, and harrowed in, the 

 same as clover and grass seed, to the depth 

 of an inch or more. If the land is irrigated 

 the seed germinates as soon as other grasses, 

 by the moderate application of water 

 followed by warm weather. The young 

 plants require shade and protection in ris- 

 ing to any height, hence the oat crop is 

 necessary. When the oats are harvested 

 the alfalfa has enough start to continue 

 growing and will do so and get a good stand 

 if not pastured in the fall. In high alti- 

 tudes the best plan is to let the plants 

 grow the first year and fall over as a mulch 

 for the roots, while in warm soils the crop 

 may be cut in September, to force the 

 strength into the roots, which continue 

 growing all winter, if the ground does not 

 freeze too deep. The alfalfa shoots will 

 show green the first of any crop on the 

 farm in the spring, and must be fenced 

 carefully to prevent the killing of cattle 

 ffrom bloat, especially while the plants are 

 wet or frosted. It is not poisonous as many 

 suppose, but the quantity eaten by hungry 

 animals causes an accumulation of gas in 

 the stomach, and results in death if not 

 soon removed. 



Alfalfahay is almost worthless if allowed 

 to get wet in the swath or winrow, hence 

 it must be cut and stacked as soon as dry. 

 The best plan is to cut one day, rake into 

 winrows and cock in stacks of 200 to 300 

 pounds, the following day, and haul to the 



barn or stackyard the third day from cut- 

 ting. It should be cut just as the purple 

 blossoms begin to show over the field. If 

 delayed the stalks or stems will be hard 

 and unfit for feed, and if cut too soon, or 

 before the blossoms appear, it will do the 

 animals harm if fed in any quantity. When 

 stacking, the sprinkling of salt at the rate 

 of about fifteen pounds to the ton. will be 

 beneficial and make a more relishable food 

 for horses and cow^. Three small poles 

 stood up in the center of the stack in such 

 a manner as to leave a flue for ventilation, 

 will save much hay and keep it in better 

 condition. When the stacks are finished 

 they may be covered with wet straw, wild 

 grass, corn fodder, cloth or other devices 

 used for turning water. In feeding it is 

 advisable to use a hay knife and cut down 

 about three feet at a time, thus preventing 

 the opening of the whole stack.' 



Alfalfa pasture} are the best for milch 

 cows, sheep, hogs and horses, and are rel- 

 ished by calves, poultry and bees if per- 

 mitted to bloom. Pigs can be turned into 

 alfalfa and left to grow rapidly, without 

 any further attention, if water is plentiful 

 and good wallowing places convenient. 

 Milch cows will not bloat if kept on the al- 

 falfa field, because they never eat it in a 

 ravenous manner, as when taken from the 

 stalls and turned into the green feed. The 

 peculiar odor imparted to milk and butter, 

 by feeding alfalfa alone, may be prevented 

 by giving some dry. food, such as bran, 

 grain or timothy hay at milking time. 

 Green alfalfa is_not a fattening food, and 

 work horses require something -more 

 strengthing, especially in the spring and 

 summer. All animals will keep in good 

 condition in the alfalfa field, but grain 

 must be used to fatten sheep for market 

 and shaping hogs for butchering. The 

 plant is peculiarly arid in its nature but is 

 equally as valuable in the [east and the 

 west, the land of irrigation and the coun- 

 try where rainfall is plentiful. 



JOEL SHOMAKER. 



What is worth doing is worth doing well. 



