220 



Lucerne as a Fodder Crop. 



i -5m. in diameter. Some of these groups were analysed 

 and found to contain 5*725 per cent, of nitrogen, while the 

 cortex of the roots contained only 2*25 per cent. 



The feeding value of alfalfa for bullocks has been the 

 subject of experiment during two years at the Utah 

 Experiment Station, and the conclusions arrived at have 

 recently been published in a bulletin issued by the station. 

 Comparisons have been made of the value of early, medium, 

 and late cut lucerne, and of the first, second, and third crops. 

 A section of a field of lucerne was cut just before blooming — 

 this was called early-cut ; another section, cut about a week 

 after blooming commenced, was called medium-cut ; and a 

 third section, cut about one week after full bloom, was 

 designated late-cut. 



In some periods the lucerne was fed without grain, and in 

 others bran and wheat were added. The results show that 

 steers fed with lucerne, either with or without grain, made 

 the most rapid gain on the early-cut and the least gain on the 

 late-cut. This was true for the early cutting of both the first 

 and second crops. Pound for pound the early cutting gave 

 the best results ; that is, less food was required per pound of 

 gain when early-cut lucerne was used than on either medium- 

 or late-cut. The early cutting also yielded the most hay ; 

 medium cutting came second. It is estimated that fully one- 

 third more beef can be produced per acre with early cuttings 

 than with either medium or late cuttings. 



For the different crops of lucerne, the rate of gain and the 

 food required per pound of gain both favoured the third crop, 

 the first crop being second in value. There was very little 

 difference in composition between the first and second crops, 

 but the third crop contained more protein and less fibre than 

 the other crops, thus indicating its superior feeding quality. 

 Pound for pound, good lucerne proved to be equal to timothy- 

 hay, while in the rate of gain it proved better, and it was 

 noticeably superior to clover- hay. 



Two tests were made in which the object was to compare 

 lucerne or alfalfa with mixed hay, and with alfalfa mixed 

 with straw. The average results are given in the following 



