ALFALFA. 97 



than alfalfa, and in no case was the per cent, of gain less in alfalfa months, 

 but considerable more. The fact may be clearly seen in the feeding ex- 

 periment illustrated in the following table. Three steers were fed four 

 months on alfalfa, clover, chop and roots. They consumed in 



Oct. and Dec. Gain. Nov. and Jan. Gain. 



2805 Ibs. alfalfa. 270 Ibs. 3658 Ibs. clover. 240 Ibs. 



558 " chop. 675 " chop. 



1275 " roots. 1830 " roots. 



"Each steer is credited the same amount of chop and roots inasmuch 

 as they were given in limited quantities, but of hay each had all he would 

 eat. 



" Taking the hay as a base, the alfalfa made a difference in gain of 

 twenty pounds, and 1,053 pounds less of it was fed, showing clearly its 

 superior value for a feeding plant." 



PASTURING. 



It might as well be conceded once for all that green and growing al- 

 falfa is never absolutely safe as a pasturage for cattle. When it is full of 

 juices and immature, they are very fond of it, and are liable to gorge 

 themseves and bloat, if not fed with extreme caution. The greener and 

 more succulent the growth, the greater the danger; and this is always 

 heightened or increased when the grass is wet, either from rains or heavy 

 dews. There is less liability to this trouble, however, on fields that have 

 received little or no irrigation. It is true that there is a difference in 

 animals with respect to this danger or tendency, and the one that eats 

 moderately and rather daintily is usually safe. If the animal is greedy and 

 gorges itself, particularly on an empty stomach, the gasses are pretty cer- 

 tain to accumulate; then look out. The advantages of afternoon pastur- 

 ing are that the grass is usually dry and the cattle have at least partially 

 satisfied their hunger. But this cannot always be relied on as a guide ; 

 nor can the fact that plenty of dry hay has been fed and water given be- 

 forehand. All of these "perfect preventives" have occasionally failed to 

 protect. This is the testimony of men of large experience with the grass, 

 and might as well be understood. It is always best to be on the safe side. 

 Neither is salt kept before them a certain safeguard, as some claim, yet 

 it is advisable to do so.* 



*NOTE The following clipping is taken from a leading paper, and we give it for 

 what it is worth. Some of the statements made may be open to question. But if 

 stock can be encouraged to eat clean, bright straw in connection with alfalfa, good 



7 



