ALFALFA 285 



the returns from each crop he grows. If he considers 

 alfalfa in this way, he must note the fact that three, and 

 sometimes four or five cuttings of hay per year may be 

 reasonably expected, and that the life of the stand varies 

 from 5 to 15 years, depending upon conditions for growth. 

 It will be readily seen that the annual expense of pre- 

 paring the seed bed, of the purchase of seed and seeding 

 that is necessary in the growing of general farm crops, 

 makes the cost of production of alfalfa relatively low. 

 Unlike many crops with a relatively low cost of produc- 

 tion, alfalfa is a bountiful yielder of forage, possessing 

 a high per cent of protein, which gives it high rank in 

 feeding value. Experiments conducted by some experi- 

 ment stations show that alfalfa compares favorably with 

 wheat bran in the feeding of dairy cows. Other experi- 

 ments, while not giving it an equal value with wheat bran, 

 have given it a high rank among the feeds of farm animals. 

 The growing of alfalfa not only makes possible the pro- 

 duction of protein on the farm for balancing the feeding 

 ration, but also, since it is a leguminous crop, supple- 

 ments the work of clover in maintaining soil fertility. 

 It is especially valuable as a soil improver because of its 

 extensive root growth, which, when it decays, makes 

 drainage channels for air and water and opens up passages 

 for the roots of succeeding crops that do not penetrate 

 the soil so readily. 



289. Almost all of the alfalfa produced in the United 

 States is used for hay. Alfalfa hay is relished by all 

 kinds of live stock, including hogs and chickens. The 

 yield of hay per acre varies greatly with soils and climate. 

 The fact that several cuttings per season may be had 

 makes possible a relatively high yield. Each cutting 

 on good soils, if favored with sufficient rainfall, may 



