ALFALFA 41 



with many small secondary roots. There are three leaflets 

 to each leaf, the third leaflet having a short stalk of its own, 

 instead of growing from the same point, as in the case of 

 red clover. The seed pods are in coils, brown when ripe, and 

 contain several seeds. The seeds are somewhat kidney shaped 

 and about the same size as red clover seeds. 



Values of alfalfa. There are three great values of alfalfa 

 as a farm crop : 



First, it is one of the most profitable crops, commercially, 

 that the farmer can grow. "When he is able to cut from three 

 to five tons of alfalfa hay per acre during one season, and sell 

 this hay at from $15 to $20 per ton, he begins to realize the 

 money value of alfalfa. It is not at all uncommon for a 

 farmer to clear from $50 to $60 an acre on his alfalfa crop. 



Second, it is one of the most valuable live-stock feeds 

 grown on the farm. Alfalfa is rich in protein, and thus helps 

 to balance the ration in feeding corn, ensilage, or timothy 

 hay. Alfalfa has been found to be the best general feed for 

 dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep, and even for swine and poul- 

 try, in the production of what is most desired in these 

 animals. 



Third, it fits into systems of crop rotation planned to 

 maintain permanent soil fertility. Alfalfa being a legume, 

 serves, as does the clover, to draw free nitrogen from the air 

 to enrich the soil. The long, deep root system of the alfalfa 

 enables it to feed below common soil levels, bringing to the 

 surface soil increasing portions of organic matter and plant- 

 food to be incorporated in the soil upon its disintegration 

 and decay. 



