OUR CROPS 57 



first cutting by the time the nurse-crop is 

 sufficiently high to be cut for fodder. 



A prettier spectacle than a meadow of 

 well-established alfalfa ripe for the harvest, 

 running like a purple sea under a fine May 

 breeze, it would be difficult to picture, even 

 for the man who cares nothing about farm- 

 ing. The first cutting takes place in May, 

 and, provided there is a good supply of 

 water, at intervals of from six to seven weeks 

 during the season. The harvesting of four- 

 teen acres occupies at the most four days, 

 there being, as a rule, more danger of the 

 hay drying too much than too little. If 

 stacked too dry, the leaves, its valuable 

 element, are apt to fall and be wasted in 

 the hauling. There is occasional loss in the 

 ' rainy season.' 



Then there is the fruit, the joy and pride 

 of our Valley still more to be its joy and 

 pride when that awful doubt about water 

 ceases to haunt the spring dreams of the 

 ranchman. Now, when the doubt is solved 

 in the wrong w r ay, and he knows there is no 

 water, he simply resigns himself. When his 

 alfalfa crackles under his feet, he endeavours 



