GKEEN FORAGE AND HAY CROPS 115 



acre. When well established and cared for, alfalfa will yield large 

 crops for a series of years — at least in the West and Southwest, 

 where the plants are not weakened by rigorous cold of winter. 

 Weeds that may appear in the first cutting will be choked out by 

 the alfalfa if cut before seeding, and later cuttings will give a clean 

 hay. As already stated, foxtail is often a bad weed in western 

 alfalfa fields early in the season, so that the first cutting of hay 

 may cause trouble in feeding cattle, sheep, or pigs on account of 

 the rough beards of the foxtail heads. If this cutting is placed 

 in the silo, there will be but little difficulty in this respect, as the 

 foxtail heads are softened in the siloing process (p. 158). 



Fig. 16.; — Alfalfa will furnish an abundance of green feed throughout the growing 

 season. It is rapidly becoming one of the most valuable forage crops in the country. 

 {Pacific Rural Press.) 



Composition of Alfalfa. — Alfalfa is one of the richest forage 

 crops American farmers can grow. It contains more protein than 

 any of the leguminous plants used for feeding purposes, with the 

 possible exception of sweet clover, peas, and vetches. A good quality 

 of alfalfa hay contains at least 15 per cent protein, 2 per cent fat, 

 and about 25 per cent fiber, while the lower grades contain 10 per 

 cent of protein or less, and over 30 per cent fiber. Compared 

 with red clover, alfalfa furnishes a heavier yield of hay that con- 

 tains more protein than clover, and, once established, it will occupy 

 the land for a considerable period, while clover, being a biennial, 

 must be reseeded every three years. Alfalfa has a high digestibility 

 and is greatly relished by all classes of farm animals. It is used in 

 four different ways for feeding, as soiling crop, for hay, silage, or 

 for pasture. It is one of our most valuable green feeds, especially 

 for cattle, hogs, and sheep ; its protein content renders it a highly 

 desirable feed for dairy cows and young stock. As it has a nutritive 



