Il6 THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



might save loss. It is also quite generally believed that 

 alfalfa growing on uplands is less liable to cause bloat 

 than that raised on bottom lands. 



RULES FOR PASTURING 



The most generally approved rules in regard to pas- 

 turing are : 



At the beginning of the pasturing season give animals 

 a heavy feeding in the morning before turning upon the 

 alfalfa. 



Have water in the pasture all the time. 



Keep the animals in the pasture night and day, after 

 they have become accustomed to it, until removed per- 

 manently. 



Use upland in preference to bottom fields for pasture. 



Watch the stock closely the first few days and remove 

 permanently animals that show symptoms of bloat. 



Sow blue-grass, brome grass, or meadow fescue with 

 alfalfa in fields intended for permanent pasture. 



The following valuable information upon bloat (tym- 

 panitis) and its treatment was prepared by Nelson S. 

 Mayo, formerly professor of veterinary science at the 

 Kansas agricultural college : 



"Bloating, in all cases, is accumulation of gas in the 

 stomach or intestines, or both, but more particularly in 

 the paunch (rumen). This gas is produced by a fermen- 

 tation, similar to that observed when cider is 'working' 

 and the gas escapes in bubbles. There is usually a small 

 quantity of gas given off from the food during normal, 

 healthy digestion, but so small that it causes no trouble, 

 and passes off readily through the intestines, though 



