THE HAYS 



239 



Clover on the other hand is much easier to start and much 

 easier to cure. 



The average chemical composition of alfalfa hay is as 

 follows: water, 8.1 per cent; ash, 9.1 per cent; crude pro- 

 tein, 14.7 per cent ; crude fiber, 28.4 per cent ; nitrogen-free 

 extract, 35.8 per cent ; and fat, 1.9 per cent. Its net energy 

 value is 34.4 therms per 100 pounds. The feeding value of 

 alfalfa hay depends to a large extent upon the quahty. 

 Good, well-cured alfalfa 

 hay has a feeding value 

 much greater than clover 

 hay. Poorly cured al- 

 falfa hay may have a 

 feeding value consider- 

 ably less. Therefore, 

 considerable care must 

 be exercised in the curing 

 of alfalfa hay. If it is 

 allowed to become dry and brittle before it is taken in, a 

 large part of the leaves, which contain much of the nutritive 

 value, will shatter off. On the other hand, if it is taken in 

 too green, it will heat and mold, not only greatly decreasing 

 its value as a feed, but also making the stack or mow liable 

 to fire from spontaneous combustion. The first and last 

 cuttings are especially difficult to cure. 



For Growing Stock. — Owing to its high content of protein 

 and mineral matter, its palatabihty, and its general physical 

 condition, well-cured alfalfa hay is the prime dry roughage 

 for practically all growing animals. 



Young cattle may be mntered on alfalfa hay with no 

 concentrates and make a fair growth. Colts and young 



Fig. 54. — Arrangement of leaflets of 

 alfalfa and clover. (Livingston, Field 

 Crop Production.) 



