252 tHE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



Cost of baling, $1.75 per ion, ni bales weighing 75 to 100 

 pounds, the keeping being governed more by the solidity 

 than size of bale. During the past six years, hay has 

 averaged about $4 per ton, in the stack, and seed about 8 

 cents per pound. Alfalfa makes satisfactory pasturage 

 for sheep and horses. Cattle are liable to bloat, but, if 

 taken in time, may be relieved with a gag, and by exer- 

 cise which will cause the gases to escape ; the knife is used 

 as a last resort. The straw from which seed has been 

 threshed has about the same value as green oat straw. 

 The various soils here appear equally favorable to longev- 

 ity Usually the third year gives about the best yield. 

 If not damaged by freezing, it will not need reseeding 

 for 10 or 15 years. We have no trouble in ridding land 

 of alfalfa. We cut a hay crop, and plow under, for spring 

 wheat, with good results. Our best alfalfa land is clay, 

 which requires moisture, artificial or natural. Our best 

 yields have been six tons per acre for the season. The 

 feeding qualities of the hay have been well established. 

 James Otterson, Logan county. — Have had 12 years' 

 experience growing alfalfa on sagebrush land, that will 

 grow nothing but sagebrush witliout irrigation. It is 

 fine, sandy loam, extending down 6 to 10 feet, where 

 lava is encountered, which is from i to 100 feet deep. 

 The soil is dry until water is struck, which is at a depth 

 of from 100 to 200 feet. There is no water in the soil. 

 When preparing for alfalfa, we plow well, level the 

 ground, and sow 15 to 20 pounds of seed per acre, and 

 harrow lightly, or brush it in. Sow as early as the ground 

 can be worked — about March i. The first crop, if prop- 

 erly handled, will yield from three to five tons per acre ; 



