34 



apparently does not exceed the clovers in nutritive value to as great 

 a degree as is often supposed. The following table illustrates this 

 point : — 



Composition of Clover and Alfalfa Hays. 



Water 



(Per 



Cent.). 



Ash (Per 

 Cent.). 



Protein 



(Per 

 Cent.). 



Fiber 



(Per 



Cent.). 



Nitro- 

 gen-free -p . ,p 



Extract 



(Per 

 Cent.) 



Cent.). 



Alfalfa hay,^ 

 Alfalfa hay, 2 

 Alsike clover hay, 2 

 Medium red clover hay, ^ 



15.00 

 13.24 

 15.00 

 15.00 



7.90 

 7.29 

 9.70 

 7.60 



13.50 

 16.14 

 14 00 

 13.20 



27.20 

 34.49 

 23.10 

 24.20 



33.20 

 40.52 

 36.10 

 37.40 



3.20 

 1.56 

 2.10 

 2.60 



1 Calculated on the basis of two analyses published by the New Jersey Agricultural 

 Experiment Station. 



2 Average of analyses of the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station. 



On account of its superior fineness alfalfa will usually prove some- 

 what more palatable than clover, but the figures of the above table 

 indicate that there may be no very wide difference in the nutritive 

 values of alfalfa and clover hays. Comparative determinations of 

 the digestibility of these two kinds of hay, produced under American 

 conditions, are, however, desirable. 



Soil Requirements. 

 Alfalfa may be made to succeed on a variety of soils provided these 

 meet certain requirements, but whatever the type of soil it should 

 be naturally thoroughly underdrained. If standing water is found 

 during any part of the growing season within less than six to eight 

 feet of the surface alfalfa is sure to do poorly. It is essential, further, 

 that there should be perfect surface drainage. Standing water or 

 ice, particularly the latter, will destroy alfalfa in a relatively short 

 time. The highest degree of success with alfalfa appears to have 

 been attained on moderately heavy soils. The soils of the typical 

 drumlins of the State, strong, retentive, gravelly loams, appear in 

 most cases to be well adapted to this crop. A subsoil of medium 

 texture, and one which will not retain too large a proportion of water, 

 is desirable. It is highly important that the soil be free from the seeds 

 or living roots of weeds. The presence of witch grass is highly unde- 

 sirable. Localities where sweet clover, Melilotus alba, grows naturally 

 are likely to be peculiarly adapted to alfalfa, as also are those dis- 

 tricts where the soils are rich in lime. 



Preparation of the Soil. 

 In preparing for alfalfa the most thorough possible tillage and such 

 treatment as will leave the surface soil entirely free from weeds or 

 the living roots of weeds, such as witch grass, are of prime importance. 



