ALFALFA FOR DAIRY COWS. 387 



falfa hay they have increased 20 per cent' in their 

 milk flow." 



This man is now growing his own alfalfa, and his 

 neighbors are learning from his example. In his 

 region the plant was unknown until he began its 

 culture. The secret of growing it there was the use 

 of plenty of lime in the soil, then manure, phos- 

 phorus and mid-summer seeding. 



Value to Dairymen. — There is not a dairyman liv- 

 ing who is not at too high an elevation who should 

 not make effort to grow alfalfa, as no one else needs 

 it so much. He can stop the purchase of protein. 

 He can keep cows in perfect health and vigor. He 

 can get the most milk that they are capable of giving 

 if he has alfalfa. And he can, and should, feed it 

 nearly day of the year. Let him begin early in 

 spring by cutting it green and soiling; let him feed 

 dry alfalfa hay when pastures are too lush and there 

 is danger of cows scouring in June; let him feed it 

 green when pastures fail in August and September ; 

 let him feed alfalfa hay and com silage after frost 

 comes, or before for that matter. Thus the milk 

 comes freely the year around, and all from feed pro- 

 duced on his own farm. 



A Little Grain Needed. — With alfalfa and corn, 

 silage nearly a balanced ration is found. Very little 

 grain need be fed in addition, though it is economy 

 to feed a small amount, since cows need a little less 

 bulk than it would j;ake to furnish nutrients enough 

 in alfalfa and silage alone. 



