2gt) THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



the second or third year is at its best. In ground adapted 

 to its growth, it is ahnost everlasting, unless killed by 

 gophers or hogs. After the first season, there are three 

 or four cuttings, averaging each from one to three tons 

 to the acre. For hay, I cut as soon as it begins to bloom 

 freely, ordinarily raking the next day, and cocking the 

 third, in this dry atmosphere. The stack does not shed 

 water well, and the best plan is to put in a good barn. 

 The hay bales well, and the size of bale is simply a matter 

 of opinion or convenience, there being no difference in 

 the keeping quality. The second crop is the one for seed, 

 as the first always contams more or less foul stuff, and 

 the third will not mature seed. I dispose of hay at from 

 $4 to $io a ton — the same price as other hay in the same 

 market — and it is in great demand for milch cows. The 

 seed costs me from lo to i6 cents a pound. The straw 

 makes good feed, but of course is not so good as the 

 hay. For feeding farm animals, alfalfa is superior to 

 clover or timothy. We produce as fine beef here, by 

 feeding alfalfa alone, as can be done in Kansas or else- 

 where by feeding ordinary hay and corn. The pasturage 

 is profitable and satisfactory for horses and sheep, and 

 for hogs it is unsurpassed — they will grow and fatten on 

 it without other food. Cattle on the pasture sometimes 

 bloat, but not when they are used to it, or when it is dry. 

 I keep about 150 head, and in eight years have lost but 

 two. The roots will grow to, but not into, water, and 

 thrive in deep gravelly or sandy soil. The plant sends 

 down a large, straight taproot, which, as it approaches 

 water, branches and spreads out into numerous small 

 rootlets. 



