4 
Bulletin 110 . 
Varieties.—The varieties of alfalfa experimented with, three 
French varieties, the Turkestan and the common home grown seed, 
have not shown material differences in composition. Whatever dif¬ 
ferences may have originally existed between the French varieties 
practically disappeared under our conditions of soil and climate. 
This was not the case with the Turkestan which was very uniform 
and distinct in habit. 
There are few plants which show greater individual differences 
than alfalfa grown from our home grown seed, and it would seem 
very probable that we could develop a variety superior even to the 
Turkestan by a little patience and judicious selection. Our common 
alfalfa presents two types, readily recognized by the growers; one has 
a dark green color and narrow leaves with red stems and usually deep 
violet purple flowers, while the other has green stems and much lighter 
flowers. The former is leafier and earlier than the latter, but is pos¬ 
sibly a little less vigorous grower. In the color of its leaves and habit 
of plant, the former resembles the Turkestan. 
Range of Soil and Altitude.—Alfalfa thrives in all of our Colorado 
soils which are not too wet. In some sections it is short lived due to 
winter killing, but I have seen fine alfalfa, on good soil with a favorable 
aspect, at an altitude of nearly 9,000 feet. The altitude at which it 
will do well varies with location and other conditions. 
Amount of Water Required.—Like other questions pertaining to a 
general practice the answer is difficult to give, but it is safe to assume 
that it will require from twenty to twenty-four inches of water to the 
acre to grow the three crops usually cut in this State. 
The Time of Cutting.—The first cutting is usually made between 
early bloom and half bloom. It is not so common to let it stand till 
the plant is in full bloom as it was at one time. If the weather is fav¬ 
orable the first cutting is made as early as possible to give a longer sea¬ 
son for the growing of the second and third cuttings. Some regard is 
also had for the purposes for which the hay is to be used. I believe 
that the best hay for feeding purposes is obtained by cutting when the 
plant is in full bloom, but it is the general practice to cut it in early 
bloom. 
Composition of Hay Influenced by Condition of Plant at Time of 
Cutting.—The chemical composition of the hay produced is not so 
materially affected by the condition of the plant at the time of cut¬ 
ting as we are wont to think. With us the weather exerts a big in¬ 
fluence on the rate of growth and early blooming of the plants, this 
is most marked in the second cutting in which the condition of half 
bloom, for instance, may correspond to an earlier period of growth in 
the first cutting, so far as composition is concerned. 
The following analyses taken from Bulletin 39 of this Station, 
give, I believe, a fair example of the range in the composition of alfalfa 
hay as affected by the time of cutting. 
