198 THE FORAGE AND FIBER CROPS IN AMERICA 



230. Feeding Value. Alfalfa hay is eaten readily by, and 

 can be fed with good results to, horses, cattle, sheep, brood 

 sows, and laying hens. By introducing alfalfa hay into the 

 ration, the amount of grain necessary for milch cows and for 

 fattening cattle and sheep may be greatly reduced. The com- 

 position and digestibility of alfalfa are quite similar to that 

 of bran. The Tennessee Station found that one pound of wheat 

 bran should be replaced by 1.5 pounds of alfalfa when fed to 

 milch cows. 1 While cattle and sheep may be fattened on alfalfa 

 hay alone, they do not on this ration get that finish which in 

 the present markets commands the highest price. Alfalfa hay 

 is not itself a proper ration, because of its coarseness and the 

 large proportion of protein. Maize grain and barley meal 

 furnish the easily digestible carbohydrates which are needed 

 to complete the ration. Where they can be economically grown, 

 mangel-wurzels are useful for the same reason as well as 

 furnishing a succulent food. 



The Maryland Station found that more milk was produced 

 with a ration of alfalfa hay and seven pounds of maize meal 

 than with maize silage and a mixture of three pounds of malt 

 sprouts, one pound each of linseed meal, gluten meal and maize 

 meal. 2 The Utah Station reports as the result of six tests that 

 alfalfa-fed horses had a better appearance, and it was not so 

 difficult to maintain their weight as when fed on timothy. 3 



Alfalfa does not stand pasturing well. While it may be used 

 for all classes of domestic animals, it has been found pre- 

 eminently useful only with swine and poultry. The danger from 

 bloat is believed to be even greater than with red clover. It 

 is better adapted to soiling purposes than to pasture, since reg- 

 ular and frequent clipping enhances its vigor and the green 

 material can be fed without injurious results. It is especially 



1 Tennessee Sta. Bui. Vol. XVII (1904), No. 4. 



2 Maryland Sta. Bui. No. 98 (1904). 



3 Utah Sta. Bui. No. 77 (1902). 



