no THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



causing many to die, resulting in bare spots later to be 

 overgrown by noxious weeds and grasses. After the 

 damage is done there remains no remedy but to plow up 

 the field and reseed, or to disk thoroughly and then reseed 

 the bare spots. If the field has not deteriorated too much, 

 the latter is much to be preferred. By diligence and 

 careful treatment, or prompt action closely following any 

 encroachments upon the life of the plants, the quality and 

 yield may be maintained and the profits relatively 

 enhanced. Alfalfa has wonderful recuperative powers, 

 but continuous nipping of the crowns will do most 

 serious harm and eventually decrease the yield not a little. 



EXPERIENCES WITH CATTLE 



One man reports turning eighty steers into one alfalfa 

 field where there was running water, and a second herd 

 into another field without running water, but water ran 

 through a wild grass meadow adjoining, into which this 

 herd was driven every afternoon and turned back into 

 the alfalfa the next morning. The first herd suffered no 

 loss, while five valuable animals died in the second field 

 on the second day, before they could be removed. When 

 all were put into the first field there was no more bloat. 

 Another reported turning cows into a small field where 

 there was a trough full of water all the time. Here, as 

 in the case of the steers, a full feed was given before the 

 cows were turned on the alfalfa. Before noon one cow 

 had to be relieved by a trocar, and another by being driven 

 rapidly about the field. The wherefores of such occur- 

 rences present a problem yet to be solved. Certainly there 

 is more danger in pasturing cows and sheep on alfalfa 



