230 FORAGE CROPS 



forage needed for summer feeding, and as much 

 as possible of the protein needed to balance the 

 silage or other fodder rations of the winter. 



Alfalfa as pasture 



Alfalfa may also be safely used as pasture for 

 horses and swine, and the careful farmer who 

 gives the subject intelligent personal attention 

 may also pasture cattle and sheep on alfalfa with 

 success. There is always danger, however, of 

 losing animals with bloat, and pasturing, especially 

 with sheep, is injurious to the alfalfa because they 

 eat away the young buds, which would soon 

 develop into new branches. The younger plants 

 are not strong enough to withstand long- continued 

 pasturing the first year after sowing, and much 

 tramping is injurious at any time. 



Alfalfa silage 



Alfalfa can be successfully made into silage, 

 although, in common with other plants of a 

 highly nitrogenous character, it is not so desir- 

 able as corn. The losses are likely to be con- 

 siderable, and the product seems to be less pala- 

 table than corn silage. Nevertheless, there are 

 many circumstances when its preservation and 

 use as silage are to be i-ecommended. 



