The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-05-10
FEEDING VALUE OF ALFALFA

The Bureau of Animal Industry OF
the Department of Agriculture has re-
Gently published a study by |. d. Ora
ham of the use of alfalfa for the grow
ing and fattening of animals in the
Great Plains region. The results OBJ
tanned by experiments are Of inesti-
mable value to live stock growers in
the region mentioned and there Is. no
reason why some of the lessons taught
should not be considered by stock
men in other sections.
Some of the questions considered
in the experiments are the compost
ton and digestibility of alfalfa, the
calculated cost of nutrients supplied
by alfalfa and other feeding stuffs,
the value of alfalfa hay cut at differ
ent periods of growth, alfalfa as pas
turage, soiling, and hay crop, alfalfa
meal, and the value of alfalfa, fresh
and cured, for different kinds Of farm
animals, and for poultry.
Finely ground, kiln-dried alfalfa
hay, called alfalfa meal, has given
satisfactory results as feeding stuff.
The commercial article is made of Sc
lected alfalfa and mixed with sugar
beat molasses in the proportion of
rs per cent alfalfa and Is per cent
mOlasSes.
Horses and mules, it is stated, thrive
on alfalfa pasture. While alfalfa is
too rich food for mature horses un-
less used in combination with some
other roughage, it is an excellent feed
for young horses. as it seems to con-
tain just the elements necessary to
develope bone, muscle and consequent
size.
Caution should be used, however,
in feeding alfalfa to horses, particu-
larly if they have not been accustomed
to it. Live other concentrated foods,
it seems to stimulate all the physical
processes to such an extent that var
ious disorders of the digestive system
may appear. This is particularly no.
ticeable in the urinary and perspira-
tory glands.
When alfalfa is fed to horses in
considerable quantity the grain ration
must be proportionately reduced and
an abundance of other .roughage fur.
nished. When horses have attained
mature age, and it is desirable to
change from other hay to alfalfa, the
change must be gradual, and the al
falfa selected for this purpose should
be more advanced in growth at the
time of cutting than that which is
to be fed to cattle or sheep.
AS general statement, very ripe
alfalfa hay is the best to use for work
horses and driving horses, while that
prepared in the usual way-that is
cut when the field is about one-tenth
in blooms better for the colts. In
any event, horses that are fed alfalfa
hay must be given abundent exercise
For dairy and beef cattle and fol
sheep alfalfa has given very good re
suits. AS regards the use of alfalfa
hay for pigs it is considered better tt
cut it early SO that larger proper
ton of the leaves may be saved ant
consequently larger proportion o.
the protein conserved
A late cutting, after the leaves have
fallen somewhat and the stem hard
ened, is better for horses, but fol
pigs especially growing pigs, the crol
should be so harvested as to save the
largest number of leaves.
Experience teaches that the thirt
or fourth crop is better for pigs, be
cause it is softer and more palatable
1t is always wise to provide some sor
of trough or rack with floor il
for feeding alfalfa to hogs.
Alfalfa in its green state, Or whel
used as hay or ensilage, is first
class nnultrv food Poultry will mas