IOO SOILING CROPS AND THE SILO. 



long one, not longer usually than three weeks. If, 

 however, two plats or fields have been grown by 

 cutting one at an early stage of growth, and then 

 cutting the other, and again the first and likewise the 

 second in continuity of alternation to the end of the 

 season, the supply of alfalfa for soiling may under 

 favorable conditions be made to cover the entire sea- 

 son after the first growth is ready for being cut, 

 which is usually in May or June, according to the 

 locality. The same result can be accomplished with 

 but one field by taking care to cut first one portion 

 and then another, that the part first cut may grow 

 up again while the other part is furnishing soiling 

 food. But in the absence of irrigation, it may not 

 be possible to feed this food without interruption. 



The scythe, or the mowing machine is used in 

 cutting the crop, but usually the latter. When cut 

 it may be drawn and fed the same as clover, that is 

 to say, by strewing it on the pasture, by putting it 

 into feed racks in a yard or paddock, or by feeding 

 it in mangers. It should be wilted more or less 

 when fed to cattle and sheep, as it is sometimes liable 

 to produce bloating when fed without stint in the 

 green form. Enough may be cut at one time to last 

 for a limited number of days, providing it is not 

 allowed to lie broadcast in the swath where it fell 

 beneath the mower. 



Although horses and swine are oftentimes pas- 

 tured on alfalfa, some growers favor feeding it to 

 them as soiling food unless where the conditions for 

 growth are exceedingly favorable. The treading 

 and close eating of horses are pretty certain to mate- 

 rially shorten the duration of a stand of alfalfa,, 



