ALFALFA I 77 



dition when mowing is begun. The amount of 

 water required will vary with the soil, the season 

 of the year, the distance of the ground water from 

 the surface, and the precipitation. The more porous 

 the soil and subsoil, the hotter the weather, the less 

 the precipitation and the farther below the surface, 

 up to a certain limit, the greater will be the amount 

 of water needed. There are situations, as in some 

 of the islands in the Yellowstone River, in which 

 ground water is so near the surface that alfalfa 

 grown on these is able to get enough of water from 

 this subterranean source to produce good crops. 

 Care should be taken not to apply water in excess of 

 the needs of the crop, or the yields will be propor- 

 tionately reduced. The amounts that will best serve 

 the end sought can only be ascertained by actual 

 test. Caution is also necessary where the winters 

 are cold not to apply water late or in excessive quan- 

 tities, lest a sappy condition of the plants shall be 

 induced, which will make them succumb to the cold 

 of the winter following. Moreover, on some soils 

 alfalfa fields will produce good crops, if irrigated 

 only the first season, until the roots get down to 

 moisture, the irrigating waters being utilized when 

 more needed. 



Alfalfa hay is lea freely to all kinds of domestic 

 animals on the farm, and with results that should 

 prove highly satisfactory. Properly fed, it is an 

 excellent food for horses and mules. It not only 

 serves to maintain flesh, but it is favorable to glossi- 

 ness in the coat. Horses that are working hard 

 should be accustomed to it gradually. When it is 



