Le^jianinoiLS Plants for Green Forage and Hay. 207 



inained out fifteen days, during whicli time it was subjected to three 

 rain storms, amounting in all to 1.76 inches. The other sample 

 was from hay cured without injury by rain. Samples of this hay 

 were analyzed with the results shown below: 



Hay not Hay 



damaged. damaged. 



Ash 12.2 per cent. 12.7 per cent. 



Crude fiber 26.5 per cent. 38.8 percent. 



Ether extract 3.9 percent, 3.8 per cent. 



Protein 18.7 per cent. 11.0 per cent. 



Nitrogen-free extract 38. 7 per cent. 33. 6 per cent. 



It will be seen that the crudo fiber, the poorest part of the hay, 

 was increased, and the protein and nitrogen- free extract, the 

 more valuable portions, were materially reduced by weathering. 

 Headden concludes that the estimate of farmers that storms re- 

 duce the value of hay one- half is reasonable. (289) 



305. AlfaJfa in the eastern United States. — Attempts to grow 

 alfalfa in the Eastern states have generally ended in failure. The 

 wonderful results obtained in the West have served to keep alive 

 an interest in this plant and stimulated renewed ti-ials from 

 time to time. The results obtained by several Stations show that 

 large returns are possible under favorable conditions. In search- 

 ing for the causes of failure, it appears that the most general one 

 is msufiicient care in securing a good stand of plants. To reach 

 this end the ground seeded to alfalfa must be free from weed- 

 seeds, so that the young plants, which are weak when they first 

 spring up, may grow untraiiimeled. The desired end will be ac- 

 complished by summer-fallowing the proposed alfalfa field for one 

 season in order to reduce the soil to proper fineness, and especially 

 to sprout and kill all weed-seeds lying near the surface. The 

 following spring sow from twenty to thirty pounds of alfalfa seed 

 in drills or cover lightly with a harrow. 



306. Manner of growth. — The alfalfti plant is a gross feeder, 

 its tap root reaching many feet into the soil. Headden, of the 

 Colorado Station, ^ found alfalfa roots twelve and one- half feet 

 below the surface. This indicates that the plant should have a 

 subsoil through which the roots may pass, with water not nearer 



1 Bui. 35. 



