• Alfalfa. 7 
ted to the differences in the seasons. These differences amount to three 
P u P for CT , U( \ e r protein, eight per cent for the crude fibre and 
about three and a half per cent for the nitrogen free extract. 
t 1 1 Easil y I n J ured by Moisture.—In Cases where the al¬ 
falfa has been cut and left in the swath, a light rain of even a heavy 
dew produces a discoloration. The hay has a light yellowish brown 
color and in general a bleached appearance. The amount of injury 
indicated by this color doubtlessly varies greatly and there is a variety 
of opinion about the value of such hay.* In one instance in which 
some all alt a was cut and, owing to a succession of showers, was not 
stacked till 13 days later, we found very considerable changes, but we 
were not able to determine the total changes, for we were unable to de¬ 
termine the mechanical loss in the weight of the hay. The differences' 
shown by the analyses of samples taken as the hay was cut, and of 
others taken as it was stacked, showed a loss of more than one-third 
ot the crude protein and one seventh of nitrogen free extract, accom¬ 
panied by a very decided increase in the crude fiber, the percentage 
found m the injured hay being about 12 per cent higher than in the 
uninjured sample. The amount of rainfall was about 1% inches. 
Experiment shows that tepid water will dissolve 40.00 per cent out of 
c ass > third cutting alfalfa hay; further, fermentation sets in 
readily. These properties readily explain the fact that alfalfa is very 
sensitive to moisture. The remaining hay may still be good hay, 
though its color is not inviting. There may, however, have been a 
big loss, the remaining hay weighing possibly only a little more than 
six-tenths as much as should have been gathered, from the crop as 
cut, not reckoning any mechanical loss, which will certainly'have tak¬ 
en place. 
Loss of Leaves, Etc., in Making Alfalfa Hay.—The general custom 
in this part of Colorado is to rake the alfalfa into windrows as soon 
after cutting as is at all advisable, and complete the necessary cur¬ 
ing m windrow or cock as the case may be. This practice is the re- 
suit of the observed loss of leaves and breaking off of small stems in 
raking and handling, if allowed to over cure in the swath. The loss, 
that is the leaves and stems which fall or are broken, amounts under 
favorable circumstances, to about one-fifth of the crop, and can if it. J 
^L- 1 ^i CeSSar '^ re P eatedl y handle the hay, amount to as much as two- 
thirds of the crop, which of course remains on the ground to enrich it. 
The Relation of Hay Gathered to Green Alfalfa.—The amount, or 
weight of hay gathered compared to that of the green alfalfa varies* 
within comparatively narrow limits. With us 100 pounds of first cut¬ 
ting alfalfa gives about 2/ pounds of hay, and 100 pounds of second 
cutting gives about 29 pounds. These figures do not,agree at all 
with figures obtained for other States. The amount of hay obtained * 
from 100 pounds of the green alfalfa, cut from early bloom to full 
bloom, has an extreme range of about four pounds. This is the case 
with the first and second cuttings. 
The Relative Amounts of Leaves and Stems.—Some varieties of 
alfalfa are smaller stemed and leafier than others. The Turkestan 
