338 ALFALFA FARMING IN AMERICA. 
Danger from Bloat.—There are stages in the 
growth of alfalfa when it is much more apt to bloat 
stock than at other times. When the soil is moist 
and the weather warm and growth rapid, when the 
soil is very rich also, there is induced a very rank 
growth that is quite apt to cause trouble. This 
danger is worst when the alfalfa is young and ten- 
der; increasing safety comes with advancing matur- 
ity until, when it is thoroughly in bloom, there seems 
little danger to animals accustomed to its use. 
Perhaps there is never absolute safety in pastur- 
ing sheep and cows on alfalfa, yet the writer has for 
many years pastured valuable sheep all summer on 
alfalfa, with a run on grass when they wished; and 
in some years his loss has been so trifling as to 
be not worth considering, while occasionally it has 
been necessary to take the sheep off for a time to 
allow the alfalfa to harden up. In several years’ 
experience with cattle he has lost but one, and 
that one from permitting it to graze very im- 
mature alfalfa that had been mown about two weeks 
and that, owing to the nature of the soil, was mak- 
ing a very rank growth. There is never danger with 
pigs so that they are not too hungry when first 
turned on the alfalfa, nor with horses if it is not too 
watery and immature. 
It is, however, an art to accustom animals to eat- 
ing alfalfa in pasture. The plants should have made 
a considerable growth, almost having reached the 
blooming stage, before being turned on. 
