148 CHAPTER IX 



If harvested in the right condition and properly cured the 

 hay should have a bright green colour and a pleasant aroma. 



Yields. — The number of cuttings will vary according to 

 the available moisture, length of growing season, productivity 

 of the soil, and the variety grown. In South Africa, under irri- 

 gation, 4 to 9 cuttings, giving in all 8 to 6 tons of hay per 

 acre, are obtained each season, and without irrigation 2 to 5 

 cuttings, yielding 1 to 2 tons. The highest yields are obtained 

 g ^ in the third and fourth seasons, but under favourable condi- 

 ^ tions good varieties will continue to yield well up to 8 and 12 

 f^ "c years. 



^^ 5^. Generally speaking, the crop is only ploughed up when, 



^ tI<through weeds, the stand becomes poor. 

 1? t- 



The high percentage of protein indicates the reason why 

 lucerne is so valuable. The protein content is even higher 

 than that found in maize grain, which is nine to ten per cent. 

 As compared with other hay, it is to be noted that lucerne hay 

 contains the smallest fibre content, although this will naturally 

 vary according to the maturity when cut. 



Lucerne is used principally for hay for all classes of live- 

 stock, but chiefly for dairy cattle and young growing animals. 

 It is also extensively used as a soiling crop, and is often pas- 

 tured by sheep and ostriches. Its use for pasturage is 

 warranted only under certain circumstances, e.g., stud sheep 

 during drought, and the drier winter and early spring months. 

 Horses, however, injure the plants so much by close grazing 

 that they should never be allowed in the field. With 

 ruminants, bloating is common if care is not exercised. Stock 

 should be allowed in the fields very gradually, the usual prac- 

 tice being to allow- them to graze in the fields for about a 

 quarter of an hour the first day, slowly increasing the time each 

 day until eventually they may be allowed in permanently. A 

 young, sappy growth is most dangerous, especially when moist 



