6 
ALFALFA—ITS GROWTH, DIGESTIBILITY, ETC. 
drop off, the color is lost, and much of the hay is ren¬ 
dered unfit for feed. Curing is the most important opera¬ 
tion of all in making alfalfa hay. 
IRRIGATION. 
On the low land, where the roots have access to moist¬ 
ure continually, alfalfa needs little or no irigation. When 
water is applied, it should be done before cutting, for two 
two reasons—it stimulates the growth of the next crop, 
and in the cutting the mower does its work much better 
and more effectively, the stems being more pliable and 
easily cut. 
In the experience of many farmers, alfalfa is the 
best renovator and the best green crop for fertilizing soils 
of any thus far tried. It not only kills all noxious weeds, 
hut puts into the soil in quantities manurial elements 
found to be invaluable to the growth of any crop. Many 
experiments among farmers, but not at the Experiment 
Station, have proved it to be fifty per cent, better than red 
clover. The roots being very large and long, not only en¬ 
rich, but make the soil porous and well suited, not onty to 
its own growth, but the growth of any other plant. 
Just why alfalfa has, when fed green or wet, a greater 
tendency to bloat cattle and sheep than other forage, has 
not yet been fully or satisfactorily explained. Whether it 
is due to the alkali of the soil absorbed by the plant, or to 
its very succulent growth, or to its quality, remains yet to 
be demonstrated. It is a fact that it is a dangerous pas¬ 
ture for cattle and sheep, unless the weather is very dry, 
or unless the stock are first fed with dry feed before being 
driven upon it. 
ALFALFA PARASITES. 
The dodder ( Cuscuta ) are annual, leafless, climbing 
plants that twine around the plant destined to be the fos¬ 
ter parent, and into the structure of which they send out 
