1908. 
633 
ALFALFA HAY OR WHEAT BRAN. \ 
Is it true that Alfalfa hay is equal in 
feeding value to wheat bran? a. j. j 
Connecticut. 
i 
The statement is often made that a 
ton of Alfalfa hay is equal to a ton of 
bran, but this is giving the Alfalfa a 
somewhat better showing than the facts 
at hand warrant. The chemical com¬ 
position of Alfalfa shows it to be 
nearly as high in protein as bran, but it' 
is lower in fat and in nitrogen free 
extract, and considerably higher in fiber 
than is bran. Digestion experiments 
with ruminants which have been made 
at a number of experiment stations 
have shown conclusively that the pro¬ 
tein in Alfalfa is not quite as diges¬ 
tible as that of wheat bran, with but 
small differences in the digestion co¬ 
efficients for the other nutrients. It 
follows, therefore, that the amount of 
digestible protein in Alfalfa is lower 
than that of bran, the average percent¬ 
ages being 10.6, and 12.2 per cent, for 
Alfalfa and bran, respectively. The 
percentage of total digestible nutrients 
in the two feeds are 51.5 per cent and 
57.4 per cent, respectively. The latest 
and best information which we have in 
regard to the relative values of differ¬ 
ent nutrients in feeding stuffs leads to 
the conclusion that the value of differ¬ 
ent feeding stuffs cannot be measured 
accurately by the digestible matter 
which they contain, but it is quite cer¬ 
tain that the error in this case would be 
in favor of Alfalfa, on account of its 
relatively high fiber content; if we con¬ 
sider that the relative value of the two 
feeds is as represented by the figures 
given for their total digestible compon¬ 
ents, we are therefore doubtless giving 
Alfalfa the advantage of the situation, 
and we may say, in order to make a 
definite statement, that Alfalfa hay has 
about a 10 per cent lower feeding value 
than wheat bran. Even discounting 
Alfalfa to this extent, it is doubtless 
true that it will pay farmers to grow 
this crop and use it in the place of 
wheat bran to a large extent in feeding 
farm stock, especially dairy cows. 
The expense of growing a ton of 
Alfalfa ought not to be more than half 
the price of a ton of bran, if anything 
like a satisfactory stand is to be ob¬ 
tained, and at least two cuttings are 
made during the season. In experiments 
conducted at the New Jersey Station, 
which you have probably already re¬ 
ferred to, they secured over 19 tons 
of green Alfalfa to an acre, which cured 
into nearly five tons of hay, and this 
cost them not to exceed $5.50 per ton. 
These figures certainly show that the 
Alfalfa proposition is well worth look¬ 
ing into by farmers in most sections of 
our country. By growing Alfalfa, they 
will be able largely to reduce their 
feed bill, and will secure a highly 
nutritious and palatable feed that would 
be likely to give better results than any 
other rough feed which they can raise. 
F. w. WOLL. 
Wisconsin Exp. Station. 
R. N.-Y.—In New Jersey a number 
of experiments were tried in substitut¬ 
ing hay of Alfalfa, clover and cow 
peas for grain in a cow’s ration. In 
one case silage from cow peas, hay of 
Crimson clover and corn-and-cob meal 
were substituted for corn silage, mixed 
hay and dried brewers’ grains. There 
was a saving of four per cent in cost 
of production. In another case cow- 
pea hay was substituted for grain; this 
gave a large gain in cost. Where Al¬ 
falfa hay replaced 60 per cent of the 
purchased protein there was an aver¬ 
age gain of over 20 per cent in cost. 
Where Alfalfa hay replaced all the 
purchased feed there was a saving of 
one-third in cost. The total ration fed 
each day to a cow was 17 pounds of 
Alfalfa hay and 35 pounds of corn 
silage. This was compared with over 
pounds distillers’ grains, 4^4 pounds 
wheat bran, V/ 2 pound cotton-seed meal, 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
nearly seven pounds dry cornstalks 
and 40 pounds silage. The cows did 
not make as much milk or butter on 
'the Alfalfa as on the grain feed, but 
,the cost per quart or pound was less. 
(The conclusion at New Jersey was that 
lit is more profitable to feed a small 
amount of grain with the Alfalfa hay. 
Ashes on Black Muck. 
A. S-, Randolph Center, Vt. —I have a 
piece of land that is hlack and moist, rather 
mucky. Would ashes be good to put on it? 
1 Ans. —The ashes, if unleached, will 
be first-rate for that soil. Muck is 
nearly always sour, and is lacking in 
potash. The lime in the ashes will 
sweeten the muck if enough be used, 
and the potash will supply the need 
Habits of Curculio and Rose Bugs. 
E. C. P., Virginia. —In issue of July 11, 
Mr. Slingerland says “At the rate of five 
pounds of arsenate of lead in 50 gallons of 
water, this poison was found to protect 
the foliage from the ravages of the beetle, 
and when used twice as strong killed large 
numbers of the beetles.” When is this mix¬ 
ture to be applied? Does not the stronger 
mixture damage the foliage? 
Ans. —For Rose chafers apply the ar¬ 
senate of lead just as soon as the first 
beetles are seen or their work is noticed. 
Then repeat the application in a few 
days or a week. No, this poison will 
not injure most foliage of fruits; peach 
foliage, however, is sometimes injured. 
I would use about eight pounds of the 
poison in 50 gallons so as to both pro¬ 
tect the foliage and kill the beetles. Suc¬ 
cess will largely depend upon the thor¬ 
oughness of the application. 
M. V. SLINGERLAND. 
State Statistical Agents. 
What are the qualifications and duties 
of these officers, and what are they paid? 
New York. f. h. 
Ans. —The Chief of the Bureau of 
Statistics, Agricultural Department, 
gives this information. 
The Bureau has one agent in each State, 
who is appointed after a careful considera¬ 
tion of his application, which is forwarded 
with testimonials and endorsements setting 
forth his fitness and qualifications. The 
State agents are not required to give their 
entire time to this work, and can engage 
at the same time in other occupations, and 
the salary paid ranges from $300 to $900 
per annum. They are required to be well 
known throughout the State; personally 
acquainted with prominent men interested 
in agriculture; they should be located in 
tov T ns or cities having excellent railroad, 
telegraph and mail facilities, near the cen¬ 
ter of the agricultural portion of the State; 
and their education, occupation and experi¬ 
ence should he along agricultural lines. 
These agents collect information about 
crops and send it to Washington where a 
general summary is made. Last year these 
State agents drew $25,500 as salary and 
$4,500 more for expenses. F. E. Dawley 
has been State agent in New York for some 
time. 
Elevator for an Ice House. 
Reader (No Address). —How would you 
advise building an ice elevator for a house 
of 800 tons capacity, horse power to be 
used? Is a vertical elevator practical? 
Ans.— I would advise an elevator to 
run at an agle of not less than 40 de¬ 
grees. A greater incline would be better 
if practical to take the room. Of course 
the greater the incline the greater dis¬ 
tance the ice must be drawn, but this 
will be more than made up by the 
greater ease with which the ice can be 
raised by horse power. Thus several 
cakes can be drawn up at a draught, 
how many depending solely on the 
“heft” of the ice, and the amount of 
horse power. I take it there would not 
be sufficient power to run an endless 
chain, with a continuous elevator. Such 
would include a much greater outlay. 
My next neighbor has a 600-ton house 
that he fills with such an elevator as 
I have suggested, that works well, with 
a pair of clamps to grapple the lower 
cake attached to a rope and set of pul¬ 
leys, arranged similar to those of a 
horse fork. As to manner of building 
elevator, I would suggest the questioner 
visit any nearby house, where an eleva¬ 
tor is used, and practice accordingly. 
EDWARD VAN ALSTYNE. 
Sulphuric Acid on the Farm. 
B. L., New Jersey .—Would you advise 
a farmer to use sulphuric acid for reducing 
dead animals on his farm? We have been 
advised to make a cement pit, throw in the 
animals, pour on the acid and then cover 
with soil. 
Ans. —I certainly would not recom¬ 
mend any inexperienced person to trifle 
with a carboy of sulphuric acid. I know 
of one case where a farmer lost a leg by 
breaking a carboy and spilling the acid 
over himself. Dead animals and fish 
can be composted and reduced, but not 
the bones of mammals, by composting 
with earth, but it takes a long while 
to get rid of the odors. On my farm 
in Maryland we haul out every Spring 
several hundred wagonloads of herring 
from the pound nets, spread them and 
plow them in at once. I have taken 
land that would not raise 10 bushels of 
corn to the acre, and with one dressing 
of herring get a crop of 75 bushels 
shelled corn to the acre, and a fine crop 
of wheat afterwards and such grass fol¬ 
lowing as was never seen before in 
that section. Here we have soluble 
nitrogen and phosphoric acid, and the 
clay soil seems 'to 'furnish sufficient 
potash. j. H. b. 
Pennsylvania. 
Shocking Wheat.—I find the best way 
to shock wheat is to set up six sheaves, 
then hug the tops together and put one 
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Elastic and Pliable Always. 
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Climatic Changes Do Not 
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Practically Fire Proof. 
Can Be Used on Steep or 
Flat Surfaces. 
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Light in Weight. 
Does not Taint Water. 
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ERIE, PA. 
Chicago, Boston. 
Mention R.N-Y. 
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HYDRAULIC PRESS 
produces moro and better 
cider from less apples, and 
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Sizes 25 to 400 barrels 
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sheaf on top for a cap by spreading apart 
well. Set oats up the same, only make the 
shock so 1 as to be long; that is, only two 
sheaves side by side, and cap the same as 
the wheat. A stack should he built round 
commencing in the middle to lay the 
sheaves, and keep the middle the highest 
all the time. e. w. k. 
Pennsylvania. 
Crows and Corn. —In connection with 
your article on crows and corn, page 568, 
let me say that after applying coal tar 
to corn in a brass kettle, I pour enough 
hot water on to cover the corn and leave 
it' for five minutes before pouring off. This 
soaks the tar into the corn. Enough 'plas¬ 
ter or sifted wood ashes may be stirred in 
to dry the corn afterward. Without the 
hot water the tar is of little use. The 
planters need to have a larger aperture for 
the tarred corn to pass through than 
"or untarred corn, and seem to stick con- 
s derably, where those having brushes are 
used. C. A. f. 
Dutchess Co., N. Y. 
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