I 68 CLOVERS 



entire flock, with a view to supplement the pastures. 

 It has special adaptation for promoting large growth 

 in lambs, and, indeed, in any kind of young stock 

 to which it may be fed. When fed to swine, a small 

 grain supplement properly chosen and fed will in- 

 sure more satisfactory growth. It is thought that 

 more satisfactory results will be obtained from al- 

 lowing the alfalfa to get fairly well on toward the 

 blossoming stage before beginning to feed, and to 

 continue to feed until in full bloom. This in prac- 

 tice may not always be possible, but usually an ap- 

 proximation to it may be reached, especially when 

 the production of the alfalfa will more than supply 

 the needs in soiling food. The ideal plan is to com- 

 mence cutting the alfalfa as soon as a good growth 

 is made, cutting enough daily or every other day to 

 supply the needs of the animals. If the growth be- 

 comes too much advanced before the field is gone 

 over thus, the balance should be made into hay, and 

 the cutting should begin again where it began pre- 

 viously. 



There is no question but that considerably more 

 food can be obtained from a given area when green 

 alfalfa is fed in the soiling form, instead of being 

 grazed. The difference in such production would 

 not be easy to determine, but of the fact stated there 

 cannot be any doubt. Ordinarily, each cutting of 

 green alfalfa for soiling should not produce less than 

 4 tons; hence, where 8 cuttings can be secured, 

 not fewer than 32 tons of soiling food could be ob- 

 tained per season. But whether the increase from 

 soiling alfalfa, as compared with pasturing the 



