ALFALFA AND THE DAIRY I 53 



the best feeds for dairy cows, make practically a complete 

 or balanced ration in themselves. Several years' experi- 

 ence in supplying the university dairy herd with various 

 kinds of soiling crops in midsummer has led to this high 

 recommendation of corn silage and alfalfa. 



Alfalfa hay has much the same laxative effect as June 

 pasture. An Elgin, 111., dairyman, with fifty cows, says: 

 "Every month I feed alfalfa in winter gives me a month 

 in which I have practically pasture conditions. The cows 

 show the pasture-effect in the glossy condition of their 

 hair and in the yield of milk, and have never before 

 looked quite so well. 



