CHAPTER XIX. 



Alfalfa for Town and Gty 



While the preceding chapters have dealt with almost 

 every phase of alfalfa, it is thought well to emphasize the 

 advantages of its more general use in cities and towns. 

 In the minds of many there is an undefined impression 

 that alfalfa is for farm consumption only. Often when 

 first introduced into a community farmers who raise 

 more than they have stock to consume, complain that it 

 is difficult to sell in small towns. 



THE TOWN COW NEEDS AliFAIiFA. 



Milk producers who know it best concede that alfalfa 

 is an invaluable feed in the dairy, closely akin to wheat 

 bran in results and usually much less expensive. In the 

 average small town or city there is about one cow for 

 every ten or fifteen people. Therefore, in a town of one 

 thousand population, there will be probably seventy-five 

 to one hundred cows. If alfalfa will increase the quan- 

 tity of their milk and butterfat, giving a product at a 

 lower cost than the concentrated foods, it should be more 

 used. But as yet it is not generally used, because it is 

 not understood and appreciated. 



The best time to secure a supply is when it is being har- 

 vested and can be taken directly from the field. If the 

 mow is large enough for three or more tons, a ton can 

 be stored from each of the different cuttings, and be 



