138 REPORT OF THE CHEMIST OF THE 
sion of results of the series of digestion experiments to give the 
main features of the Bulletin at this place. 
“LUCERNE oR ALFALFA. 
During the past two years considerable has been written con- 
cerning the value of alfalfa as a forage plant and for hay. As 
experiments in a limited way have been made at this Station since 
1882, it seems proper to bring together such data as have accumu- 
lated during our recent feeding trials and digestion experiments 
with alfalfa hay. | 
Alfalfa or lucerne is botanically the same plant — Medicago 
sativa, Lin.— and one of the clover or leguminous family. 
Alfalfa has been grown in Greece for nearly 3,000 years as a 
forage plant. The Romans esteemed it very highly and Columella 
writes that it yielded four to six crops a year. 
In France the plant is known as lucerne and in Spain as 
alfalfa. It is grown quite extensively in southern Europe. From 
Spain alfalfa was introduced into South America and thence by 
way of Mexico to California where it still retains the Spanish 
name, alfalfa. While in California and many of the western and 
southern States it is grown quite extensively, it has never been 
much cultivated in the northern States. In the eastern States it 
was introduced from Europe and is generally known as lucerne. 
The alfalfa from California is said to withstand drought far 
better than the lucerne of Europe, while the lucerne withstands 
cold winters better than the alfalfa. 
_ With this reference to the history of the plant, we may briefly 
review what some of the authorities say concerning its value. 
Professor Shelton: ‘Lucerne endures close cropping and all 
kinds of stock are fond of it.” 
C. L. Reed, of California: ‘ When cut in bloom it makes hay 
of good quality for all kinds of stock, but especially for cows.” 
Professor George H. Cook, of New Jersey:* Of all crops 
hitherto grown in this State, lucerne, sometimes known as alfalfa, 
is one of the earliest to mature, and consequently promises most 
in this respect; it offers, in addition, advantages which few other 
plants possess; briefly, some of these are as follows: 
“Lucerne when once well rooted withstands drought and frost in 
a remarkable manner. 
~* Report Ag. Experiment Station, 1886, p. 168. 
