— 14 — 
plant is given in some cases even higher than any which we 
have found. In Bulletin No 8, it is given as ranging from 22 to 
50 per cent, of the green weight. In two samples cut on May 
5th, we found the dry matter to be 25.2 per cent, and 27.53 
per cent., and the crude fiber to be 22.56 per cent, and 29.79 
per cent, respectively. These samples were taken from two 
separate and very unlike plants, grown without cultivation 
or irrigation. The average of these two, 26.18 per cent., is 
near the truth for alfalfa hay cut before flowering. Differ¬ 
ences in cultivation, and varieties may make a difference of 
a few per cent. 
Laboratory Samples. 
Crude fiber in first cutting alfalfa hay:— 
Per cent. 
1. Plants quite young (average).26.18 
2. “ in bud.35-17 
3. “ in bud. 37-39 
4. “ in half bloom.36.54 
5. “ in full bloom.40.18 
6 . “ in full bloom.32.48 
7. “ just past full bloom.36.19 
8. “ in full seed.46.12 
Average.36.28 
Samples numbered 5 and 6 were collected in different 
localities. No. 5 from heavy first bottom land; the growth 
was very rank, many of the stems were upwards of five 
feet in height; and the average diameter of one hundred 
stems, taken large and small as they grew, was nearly one- 
fifth of an inch—.19. The lower portion of such stems was 
woody and devoid of leaves. The stems in numbers 3 and 4 
(100 from each sample), were also measured and were only 
a trifle smaller, having an average diameter of .17 of an 
inch. The sample on which analysis numbered 6 was made 
grew on a sandy loam, without irrigation. The plants had an 
average height of three and a quarter feet; and were very 
leafy, probably more so than the average. 
The following are also laboratory samples of first cut¬ 
ting hay, but made from supposedly distinct varieties, grown 
on a rich loam, in drills, with irrigation: 
Crude fiber in first cutting alfalfa hay:— 
Per cent. 
9. Plants in full bloom. 36*39 
10. “ in full bloom. 3 2 -74 
11. “ in full bloom.* - * • 35*5 1 
12. “ in full bloom. 3 I -96 
Average. 34- 1 5 
