80 THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



tein to 2800 pounds of wheat bran ; and when it is also 

 estimated by careful observers that the loss of leaves in 

 harvesting, even under favoring circumstances, ranges 

 from fifteen to thirty or more per cent it is readily seen 

 that the harvesting is an important part in alfalfa hay- 

 making. 



WHEN TO CUT 



For the best hay the cutting should begin when the 

 alfalfa is about one-tenth in bloom. Of course, if the 

 acreage is small, calling for but one or two days' cutting, 

 it might stand without particular harm until a fifth or 

 fourth was in bloom. Cutting should be completed, if 

 possible, by the time one-half is in bloom, as after that 

 it is cut at a loss of leaves. As they have more experience 

 the tendency among farmers is to cut alfalfa earlier than 

 had before been believed at all desirable, and some 

 experienced growers and feeders now insist upon cutting 

 just before the blossoming stage is reached. 



Experiments seem to show that horses like the hay that 

 has been cut when at least half in bloom, or later, better 

 than do other stock. For sake of the after effects on the 

 plant, it is highly important that the first cutting be made 

 in the early bloom, as, if it is delayed, the second crop 

 starts more slowly and gives a lighter yield. Frequently 

 a short delay in cutting the first crop means that the field 

 will produce but two crops instead of three or four. So 

 important is this that Prof. H. M. Cottrell declares that 

 he has found it profitable to cut the first crop of a season 

 in earliest bloom even if it were to be injured by being 

 rained upon, or in fact entirely lost. 



