THE INTENSIVE CULTIVATION 01 ALFALFA 5 



The average weight per acre of hay for each cutting, recorded for 

 two years, was as follows : 



Ave. l./"8 l.Vo 1.83 1.82 .94 .26 .71 



This record shows the unprofitable character of the September cut- 

 ting, grown at the season when alfalfa is least vigorous, and when the 

 alfalfa butterfly worms are most active. After the last cutting, in No- 

 vember, winter pasturage is available in December and January, at 

 which times irrigating water may be withheld, the alfalfa pastured, and 

 the field finally disked in preparation for next season's irrigation. 



Shrinkage: Three observations were made on shrinkage in weight 

 of alfalfa between baling and marketing the crop. The baled crop of 

 1910, as a whole, shrank 5.9 per cent. In 1911 a number of tagged 

 bales, scattered through a large stack, shrank 3.5 per cent between bal- 

 ing and sale. In 1912 the shrinkage was 2.4 per cent. The stacks 

 were not protected, and it is likely that hay sheds would slightly reduce 

 this item of loss. 



THREE YEARS' STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND GAIN 



Following the practice outlined above, the financial outcome may 

 be of interest to the reader. The statements for three years are made 

 to show returns as they would have been realized by a small farmer 

 who, with the help of his family, does most of his own work, hiring 

 labor only in haying time ; and charging no interest on an investment 

 of capital which, ordinarily, he is not able to obtain. 



FOR THE YEAR 1909 



Cost of seed and water required to sow the field (1908) $ 22.25 



Labor hired for haying, men 36 days, team 4 days 62.67 



Labor of farmer and family ; men 56^ days, team 24 days, not charged. 



Water, 11 irrigations; 35^4 head hrs., dues 40c 35.65 



Baling, 35.85 tons, at $2-50 89.73 



Mower, $57.50; netting, $19.58; stack cover, $22.30; taxes, $25.69 125.07 



Sales: 27.3 tons damaged hay $226.50 



7 tons good hay ... 89.80 $316.30 



Small farmer's net loss on investment of $2100.00 in 7.93 acres of 

 land, team, machinery and improvements 19.07 



$335.37 $335.37 



The investor's loss, hiring all teams and labor, but not deducting 

 interest on $2100.00 invested in land, team, tools and improvements, 

 would have been $198.24. 



This unfavorable showing was due to lack of a hayshed ; and to a 

 downpour of rain in August, which turned prospective profit into loss. 

 Three hundred dollars insurance in the form of a hayshed could easily 

 have been afforded, even for this small field. 



