ALFALFA FOR THE SILO. 



The question is often asked: "What of alfalfa 

 silage I" The answer is that it makes good silage, if 

 it is put into the silo in the right condition, and the 

 silo is a good one. It is not always wise to make 

 silage of alfalfa rather than hay. Corn makes good 

 silage. Corn is easily grown on alfalfa sod. Corn is 

 needed to balance alfalfa. Corn is somewhat cheaper 

 to handle and put into the silo, perhaps, although 

 there are conflicting opinions here. Alfalfa is easily 

 cured in most countries, and where corn silage is fed 

 there is need of dry alfalfa hay. So as a rule I ad- 

 vise that alfalfa be made into hay and corn (maize) 

 made into silage. We do not know all about alfalfa 

 silage yet. I have made it, accidentally, in the stack, 

 and can testify that the cattle relished it. I have 

 seen it made in California, where it was desired be- 

 cause the fermentation softened the barbs on the ac- 

 companying foxtail grass, and I have seen more or 

 less of it in various sections. 



Conditions of Silage Making. — The present state 

 of information seems to be that alfalfa should be in 

 full bloom before being cut for silage. Immature 

 alfalfa is liable to become acid and have disagree- 

 able odor and taste. It should get fairly mature 

 and be cut with the dew on and raked and hurried 

 to the silo. The first crop is best. It ought to be 



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