144 ARID AGRICULTURE. 



more damage than profit from the pasture. This 

 can be largely obviated by cultivation. 



The third reason for not pasturing alfalfa is 

 that it does much to foster and spread alfalfa dis- 

 eases. One of the best remedies for our more 

 serious alfalfa diseases is discing and aerating 

 the soil. When soils have been compacted by 

 heavy tramping, those bacteria and fungi which 

 produce disease find conditions most favorable 

 for their development and do the most serious 

 damage. 



Notwithstanding these objections much prof- 

 itable pasturing of alfalfa is done. Many large 

 ranch and range men leave the last crop to be fed 

 off by their stock in the fall and early winter. 

 By proper management there need be little or no 

 loss from bloat. Sometimes the alfalfa is al- 

 lowed to become more or less cured and sheep or 

 cattle are never turned on when hungry so they 

 will gorge themselves. They should be well filled 

 with other roughage and after turning them in 

 the alfalfa fields they are left there continuously. 

 Moving them off and on to the alfalfa will cause 

 serious trouble. Horses, swine and poultry may 

 be pastured on green alfalfa at any time. 



VALUE OP The first crop of alfalfa hay is always prized 



as the most nutritious and valuable. It contains 

 less moisture, becomes better matured and un- 

 doubtedly makes the best hay for horses. Some 

 Colorado lamb feeders say the best cutting for 



