ALFALFA 163 



thus being grazed are not far different. So, too, 

 the experiences in such grazing are very similar. 

 The losses from such grazing some seasons have 

 been slight. Other seasons they have proved so 

 heavy as to make such grazing unprofitable. When 

 sheep are being grazed on alfalfa, a light feed of 

 grain given in the early morning reduces materially 

 the danger from bloat. It also enables the flock- 

 master to finish his sheep or lambs for the market 

 cheaply and in fine form, since this small grain fac- 

 tor, not necessarily more than half a pound a day. 

 whether given as wheat, rye, barley, oats or corn, 

 puts the ration practically in balance for the purpose 

 named, and it may be given to the sheep daily in 

 troughs without taking them out of the pasture. 



It is thought that there is more danger to cattle 

 and sheep from grazing on alfalfa than on any of the 

 clovers, and probably such is the case. But whether 

 this is true or not, the danger is very considerable, 

 and is enhanced by the presence of frost as well as 

 the presence of moisture, from much succulence in 

 the plants, from rain and from dew. So great is the 

 danger that the inexperienced should proceed with 

 much caution in such grazing. When bloat does 

 occur, the method of dealing with it is given on 

 page 95. 



The tendency to produce bloat in alfalfa pastures 

 decreases with the extent to which other grasses 

 are present in the pastures. Should alfalfa be 

 grown, therefore, for the purpose of providing pas- 

 ture, some other grass or grasses should be sown 

 along with it. Which of these should be thus sown 



