PLANTS OF THE CLOVER FAMILY. IOI 



When pigs are pastured on alfalfa without intermis- 

 sion, it is not easy to regulate the pasturing so that 

 the food will be kept tender and appetizing. But 

 horses and pigs are pastured to a very considerable 

 extent on alfalfa. Sheep are not very much pastured 

 on alfalfa because of the danger from bloating. 

 When fed as soiling food to sheep and swine, it 

 ought to be cut while younger and more tender than 

 would be necessary when it is fed to horses and 

 cattle. 



The long period during which alfalfa may be 

 fed makes it easily possible to feed it in conjunction 

 with other soiling foods less nitrogenous in char- 

 acter, as, for instance, corn and sorghum. The 

 alfalfa may be fed one end of the day and 

 green food at the opposite end of the same. The 

 variety thus secured is advantageous. Alfalfa, even 

 in the green form, may be advantageously used in 

 fattening animals along with some carbonaceous 

 food, as corn, barley or rye, but its highest use is 

 found in growing animals and in producing milk. 

 The owners of extensive alfalfa meadows would 

 seem to be in a position to raise horses, cattle, sheep, 

 swine and to produce dairy products more cheaply 

 than these can be produced by any other system of 

 arable farming. 



