92 THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



colts and calves. Or, if put into stacks of alfalfa of the 

 third cutting, in alternate layers, it may be fed to any 

 stock to good advantage, as it is relished quite as well 

 as ordinary third cuttings, notwithstanding its lower 

 feeding value. 



THE THIRD CUTTING FOR SEED 



Seed raisers in some instances, especially in Kansas, 

 use the third cutting for seed, claiming that the pods are 

 more uniformly filled and the seeds more generally fertile, 

 due to the assistance of the bees in pollenation. They 

 claim, too, that this cutting has fewer weeds and weed 

 seeds than its predecessors ; also that they are thus sure 

 of two good hay crops, while often if they use the second 

 crop for seed, the third crop is hardly worth more than 

 the cutting. The only point left in favor of using the 

 second cutting for seed, where the farmer is confident of 

 a third, is that the protein value of the second is the 

 lowest, and hence its hay can better be spared than that 

 from any other cutting. 



The raising of seed in the more humid eastern states 

 should not, generally, be attempted, as it will not only 

 interfere with obtaining full value in the hay crop, but the 

 less fertile soil will not produce as vigorous seed as will 

 the newer and richer lands west of the Missouri river. 

 At present the best seed for general use is produced 

 between that river and the Rocky mountains. Utah pro- 

 duces a hardy seed, but much if not most of it is raised 

 under irrigation, and, hence, at least theoretically, not 

 deemed best adapted for regions dependent entirely upon 

 soil moisture from rains. 



