l88 THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



cured in superior condition almost regardless of the 

 weather. It would be found a most economical feed for 

 the family cow and, if fowls are kept, it could constitute 

 one-third of their ration, adding to growth and to the 

 egg supply. 



A CHEAP FEED FOR HORSES 



The larger users of hay in the towns and cities are 

 liverymen, deliverymen and teamsters. These have been 

 unacquainted with or doubtful of the utility of alfalfa 

 and have never given it a fair trial, or possibly any trial 

 at all. Those who have used it and thought its effects 

 harmful have perhaps not understood its highly nutri- 

 ■ tious character and may have fed it in too large quan- 

 tities. Having such a large protein content it should not 

 be used with the same prodigality as prairie hay. For 

 driving horses it should be cut when more matured than 

 for other stock, or when about half in bloom, and should 

 be well cured. Fed then, in reasonable rations of from 

 ten to twenty pounds a day, livery horses may be kept in 

 vigorous thrift with a small additional quantity of grain, 

 and thus a saving be made of twenty to thirty per cent 

 in cost of maintenance. In the alfalfa districts there may 

 be found many liverymen who, having had experience 

 with alfalfa hay, feed their horses little of anything else. 

 In the last few years there has been a growing demand 

 for alfalfa hay for southern towns and cities. 



The coat and general appearance of horses fed alfalfa 

 are improved, as compared with those fed timothy or 

 prairie hay and the tendency to constipation and indiges- 

 tion is greatly lessened. It is rarely that an alfalfa-fed 

 animal of any kind is constipated. 



