FEEDING VALUE OF ALFALFA. 



109 



contain considerably more protein than do the cereals and grasses, and 

 less fiber and extract matter. If anything, the alfalfa is likely to be 

 slightly richer in protein than the clover, and to contain a little more 

 extract matter. Much, however, depends upon the exact stage of growth, 

 the season and the soil on which the crops are grown. ^ 



THE DIGESTIBILITY OF ALFALFA HAY. 



The general statement may be made that a food is valuable at least in 

 so far as the animal can digest and assimilate it. A large number of 

 digestion trials, principally with sheep, are on record, of which the fol- 

 lowing is a summary: — 



Table III. — Coefficients of Digestibility of Alfalfa Hay (Other Feeds for 

 Comparison). 



In making a study of the above summary one notes, in case of the 

 average results, that the digestibility of the dry matter of the alfalfa is 

 about the ti-me as of the clover. The crude protein of the alfalfa is no- 

 ticeably more digestible than that of the clover (12 per cent, more), while 



1 As alfalfa begins to blossom, its nitrogen content has been found to consist of 71.1 per cent, of 

 true protein and 28.9 per cent, of so-called amids, although variations from these averages are pro- 

 nounced (Mentzel u. Lengerke's Kalendar). Hart et als.. Research Bulletin No. 33, Wisconsin 

 Experiment Station, found in a sample .31 per cent, of its nitrogen in the form of ammonia, 1.03 

 per cent, as an acid amid, and 10.17 per cent, as amino acids; the remainder, 88.49 per cent., existed 

 as true protein. Headden, in Bulletin No. 124, Colorado Experiment Station, gives a considerable 

 amount of data on the chemistry of alfalfa, recognizing sucrose, glucose and starch, 2.89 per cent, 

 of galactanand from 11.44 to 13.38 per cent, of pentosans. Pott (Handbuch d. thier. Ernahrung 

 II Band p. 55) reports from 13.9 to 16.8 per cent.' of pentosans. Lindsey and Holland found 4.71 

 per cent, of galactan in the alfalfa seed. 



' Feeds and Feeding, 15th edition, 1915, Henry & Morrison. 



• Lindsey's compilation, twenty-third report of the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment 

 Station, 1911. 



