262 Report or First Assistant OF EXPERIMENT STATION. 
so as to avoid cutting near the crowns of the young plants. If 
the clipping is not too heavy it can, with advantage, be left on 
the field, and will serve as a mulch during the dry weather. On 
rich soil sometimes two crops can be secured the first year, but 
on poor soil or in a dry season no crop can be expected the first 
‘year. Alfalfa should be cut every time it begins to blossom, 
whether the growth is short or tall, unless a seed crop is desired- 
The second crop of the season is better for seed than the first, 
possibly on account of the greater number of insects that assist 
in fertilizing the blossoms. 
Alfalfa is of exceptional value as a soiling crop, but it will also 
make excellent hay, palatable and very nutritious. Much care 
and time are necessary to make good hay, and experience and 
good judgment are required. If handled much when very dry, 
all the leaves are likely to fall off, and if not thoroughly cured it 
is likely to mold and mildew. The hay will not shed water well 
and any stacks should be well covered. 
If you have a suitable field, try a small patch of alfalfa — not. 
too much at first. 7 
Some results from feeding trials with silage and other foods 
used in winter rations are not yet prepared for publication, but 
will be so soon as pressure of other work will permit. 
It is intended that the results obtained in a feeding experi- 
ment with laying hens shall be published in bulletin form so soon 
as they are arranged in suitable shape for publication. 
Data from a number of feeding trials made during the year 
with pigs are not vet in form to be given at the time of this 
report. 

