230 FORAGH OROPS 
forage needed for summer feeding, and as much 
as possible of the protein needed to balance the 
silage or ‘other fodder rations of the winter. 
Alfalfa as pasture 
Alfalfa may also be safely used as pasture for 
horses and swine, and the careful farmer who 
gives the subject intelligent personal attention 
may also pasture cattle and sheep on alfalfa with 
suecess. There is always danger, however, of 
losing animals with bloat, and pasturing, especially 
with sheep, is injurious to the alfalfa because they 
eat away the young buds, which would soon 
develop into new branches. The younger plants 
are not strong enough to withstand long-continued 
pasturing the first year after sowing, and much 
tramping is injurious at any time. 
Alfalfa silage 
Alfalfa can be successfully made into silage, 
although, in common with other plants of a 
highly nitrogenous character, it is not so desir- 
able as corn. The losses are likely to be con- 
siderable, and the product seems to be less pala- 
table than corn silage. Nevertheless, there are 
many circumstances when its preservation and 
use as silage are to be recommended. 
