48 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



For Bees. The development of the honey-producing industry 

 in the West has been practically coincident with the extension of al- 

 falfa culture. Statistics indicate that the heaviest yields of honey 

 per stand of bees are secured in the sections showing the greatest 

 acreage of alfalfa. That the honey is of a good quality is evidenced 

 by its standing in exhibitions of this class of products. The number 

 of times that the alfalfa fields come into blossom during the season 

 makes possible the gathering of successive crops of honey. 



In Mixtures for Pasture. Although alfalfa is generally grown 

 alone, there are exceptions to the general practice which indicate 

 that its use in mixtures might profitably be extended in many sec- 

 tions. Alfalfa alone is apt to be a richer feed than is necessary for 

 a steady diet and may well be used in connection with some of the 

 tame grasses. The tendency of a pure stand of alfalfa to produce 

 bloat appears to be overcome if the stock be allowed access to the or- 

 dinary tame grasses. An adjoining field of a tame grass answers 

 the purpose, but it is usually best to seed the alfalfa in a mixture 

 with one or more of the staple tame grasses which succeed in the 

 locality in question. A half of a full seeding of alfalfa is recom- 

 mended. In the East orchard grass and meadow fescue are recom- 

 mended, as these do not spread by underground rootstocks and en- 

 danger the stand of alfalfa. Kentucky bluegrass is apt to run out 

 the alfalfa if this grass is used in the mixture in the bluegrass sec- 

 tions. In the Great Plains region west of Missouri and Iowa smooth 

 brome-grass gives good results when used in a mixture with alfalfa, 

 although this grass spreads by underground rootstocks and has a 

 tendency to crowd out the alfalfa, especially when pastured without 

 being cut for hay. 



Winter Grain in Alfalfa Fields. In the Southwest the mild 

 winters and the occurrence of much of the rainfall during the colder 

 months make it possible to seed wheat or barley in a stand of alfalfa 

 after the last cutting and harvest it at the proper stage for hay the 

 next spring with the first cutting of alfalfa. The presence of a crop 

 of small grain during the winter months prevents the growth of 

 troublesome weeds, which sometimes almost ruin the first cutting of 

 alfalfa. This practice has the further advantage of giving a mixed 

 crop of alfalfa and grain hay, which is regarded as superior to pure 

 alfalfa, owing to the scarcity in that section of feeds rich in carbo- 

 hydrates or starchy matter. This method is also commendable 

 when for any reason the stand has become thin, as through the 

 action of field mice. 



For Dairy Cows. Dairy cows require high protein feeds in 

 order to produce profitable flows of milk. These can be supplied by 

 feeding nonleguminous roughage and such concentrates as bran and 

 corn meal. Such concentrates are expensive, however, and can be 

 replaced by a feed like alfalfa. Experiments made by the Tennes- 

 see Agricultural Experiment Station in regard to the replacing of 

 grain with alfalfa in rations for dairy cows indicated that IMj 

 pounds of alfalfa will replace 1 pound of wheat bran. The tests 

 showed that with alfalfa hay at $10 a ton and wheat bran at $20 the 



