ALFALFA. 99 



plunge the trochar into the region of the greatest distention on the left 

 side, at a point mid-way between the spines of the loins last rib and point 

 of the hip, pointing the trochar in and downward, and letting it pass in 

 obliquely to avoid the kidneys. (See illustration.) 



Rumenotomy is the last and most difficult operation for hoven, or 

 bloat, and is resorted to only in desperate cases when paralysis of the 

 stomach has taken place from engorgement. In this case the contents of 

 the rumen or paunch must be removed by hand. But, as the operation is 

 rarely performed except by skillful practitioners, it is hardly worth while 

 to describe it here. 



COMPOSITION OF ALFALFA. 



Protein 1 21.19 



Fat 3.04 



Nitrogen 36.74 



Crude Fibre 29.9 > 



Ash 9.13 



100.00 



As a soiling crop, or fertilizer, alfalfa is extremely valuable. Plow it 

 under ; and this can be done in fall or early spring, by using four good 

 horses and a suitable plow ; and the great roots will decay and enrich the 

 ground almost beyond conception. Some of our Greeley farmers have 

 obtained wonderful crops of potatoes and grain by this practice. In fact, 

 alfalfa does not exhaust, the soil, but constantly enriches it. Says Pro- 

 fessor Blount : " As a fertilizer it has no superior, if reports from those 

 -who have tested it are true. It not only can be turned under, as red 

 clover is, but in the operation it enriches the soil and at the same time is 

 not itself at all impoverished, but greatly benefitted, even so far as to 

 make a good crop itself the same year of hay, and sometimes of seed." 



This plant has been known to flourish from sea level to the altitude 

 of seven or eight thousand feet. In favorable surroundings it might 

 succeed even higher up. 



A careful consideration of the analysis above given will demonstrate 

 the value of this grass to the farmer in the various uses it can be put. 

 The average price in stack, in Northern Colorado, is six dollars per ton. 



An enemy of alfalfa that is troublesome in some localities is the 

 dodder plant (Cuscuta trifolii.) It resembles a number of fleshy threads 

 twisted around a branch, and when fully developed is a true parasite, and 

 feeds upon the juices of the alfalfa. It is an annual, and may usually be 



