24 
ALFALFA—ITS GROWTH, DIGESTIBILITY, ETC. 
After all, the vital question to the farmer is, “Does it 
pay ?” 
This experiment shows that the nutritive ratio of al¬ 
falfa is quite good, and that average animals, like those 
fed in the experiment, will gain seven pounds weight for 
every 100 pounds of hay consumed, or a gain of 140 
pounds weight for each ton of alfalfa. In determining 
final results, there are three important factors brought in 
question—the price of alfalfa, the cost of transportation, 
and the price obtained for the beef when placed on the 
market. Whether it will pay, or not, is a problem which 
can be solved only by the farmer or stockman, each in his 
own locality, after a knowledge of the preceding data. 
To conclude, we believe alfalfa to be the best forage 
plant for Colorado, and the whole arid region, fordhe fol¬ 
lowing reasons: 
1. It is easy to raise and secure a fine stand of 
plants, if the soil be put in proper condition. 
2. Its staying qualities are good, as the oldest fields 
show no diminution in growth or yield; neither does it 
kill by winter exposure, if given the least care and irriga¬ 
tion at the proper time. 
3. The quantity produced by the many cuttings make 
it much more valuable than the other clovers or grasses. 
4. It is as digestible as clover hay, constituent by con¬ 
stituent. 
5. Its chemical composition shows that it is a rich, 
strong food, when properly cured. 
6. Its feeding qualities are excellent, being relished 
by all farm animals. 
It is also an excellent flesh and milk producer. In 
general, it will do to say that it has about all the good 
qualities of a forage plant, w T ith very few poor ones. It 
has shown a tendency to split up, or diverge into several 
well marked varieties, under careful cultivation. 
In a future bulletin, these, together with the rooting 
proclivities, with and without irrigation, will engage our 
attention. 
