286 THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



in bloom, it is cut, and is best when cured under large 

 sheds or in the shade. If left until dry where cut, the 

 foliage will fall off and pulverize. It is best to stack in 

 narrow ricks, as it is liable to heat if put in large stacks, 

 and it should be salted liberally when stacked. The last 

 cutting is preferred for seed, which is mowed when most 

 of the pods are well matured ; in this case only two crops 

 should be cut during the year. The straw makes good 

 feed for stock in winter, having about half the value of 

 the hay. Each irrigation costs about 50 cents per acre, 

 and the total cost of hay m the stack is about $3.50 per 

 ton. Baling costs $1.25 per ton, with 50 cents additional 

 for wire. The common yield of seed is 6 to 10 bushels 

 from the acre. ''Reeves" clover huller will thresh about 

 12 bushels per hour. The price of hay, baled, in New 

 Mexico has averaged about $8 per ton for the past eight 

 years and seed for the same time about $5 per bushel. 

 Our experience indicates that alfalfa hay is a more nutri- 

 tious food for farm animals than either clover or timo- 

 thy. We have found nothing better to feed cattle for 

 market; it makes good, solid beef, and they take on fat 

 very fast. The pasturage is excellent for swine, horses, 

 and cattle. If overfed, animals will sometimes bloat on 

 raniv ?lfalfa, especially if unaccustomed to it. About the 

 t'-jird year from seeding, the plant has acquired its best 

 yield. It is difficult to rid land of it, as plowing under 

 is sometimes beneficial, making it come up thicker than 

 before. Success with it on high prairies depends upon 

 the precipitation during the growing season. We think 

 four inches of rainfall during the time of its growth 



