The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-06-27
Some Suggestions Regarding
the Harvesting of Alfalfa

LII & VII a Au IL Su IL IL ~
tage by the grower who desires a
seed crop.
When To Cut
Alfalfa, for hay, should be cut
when about one-third of the flowers
are showing. In heavy stands, the
blooming will be delayed, hence the
heavy growth should be cut earlier.
The better indication of the time to
cut is when the new shoots that APP
pear from the crown are one to two
inches high If the tops of these
new shoots are clipped, the second
growth is delayed ten days or two
weeks, which in many cases causes
the seed crop to be frosted.
If the second crop is to be saved
for seed, it is almost imperative to
cut the first crop as soon as the first
blossoms appear or new shoots start.
| The last hay crop of the season
should be cut not later than Sep
| TENDER first, so as to allow time for
fall growth to furnish winter protec-
ton. If the season is very dry, there
is not likely to be very much growth
after September first. Under SUCH
conditions, make the last cutting
earlier, or be satisfied with one good
crop on dry land. For the same rea-
son alfalfa should not be pastured
late in the fall.
How to Handle
Alfalfa leaves make up 40 to SO per
cent of the weight of the crop. There
is as much feed in 100 pounds of the
leaves as there is in $40 pounds of
stems. Do not waste the leaves.
Handling the hay when dry causes
great loss of leaves.
After cutting, the hay should not
be allowed to lie in the swath long
enough to become crisp, but should
be raked into windrows within few
hours, as soon as the alfalfa willis,
it should be raked.
If possible it should be punched
very quickly, as curing in the bunch
is best, but cannot always be done on
account of frequent labor shortage
The hay should be cured so that the
leaves are saved, and only small
portion of the hay is exposed to the
bleaching action of the sun and the
weather. The hay should be al
lowed to cure undisturbed. Turning
the punches occasionally except for
the very heaviest crop, has the eff
feet of reducing the value by knock
ing off the leaves When the ground
is wet, it is sometimes a good plan to
turn the alfalfa over just before
hauling the hay to the stack or barn.
If the twisting of a small wisp of the
hay in the hands does not cause
moisture or juices to come from thhe
stem, the hay is ready for thhe barn
Dr. stack. Alfalfa should be handled :
rapidly and stored in the stack as /.
soon as it is ready. !
Raising Seed t
Many good seed crops have been i
ost because the hay crop was re- I
moved too late. Ten days at the a
md of the season is often the time s
'equired to save the seed crop from
rost, hence the Importance of early q
;uting of the only hay crop. II
Seed crops of alfalfa are not GER y y
ain. Weather conditions bringing =
about excessive vegetative growth of ?,
he plants are unfavorable to seed -
production. Acrop which is send !.
ng out many young shoots from the %
rown while in bloom, is not likely :,
o bloom heavily or return much u
eed Cloudy damp weather when .,
he crop is in blossom is unfavor- =.
bile to a good seed return. The I'M % q,
ertainty of the seed production is the ~
rinciple cause for the high price of o &c
Italia seed. =.
Under conditions of low rainfall =
r an unusually dry season, more -
eed may be obtained from the first \
rop. The seed on the first crop
pens more evenly than on the second
rop, and the pods are apt to shatter
ut. Therefore, greater care must be
AIKEN in harvesting.
Only in extreme season on bench
and, does it pay to save the first
rop for seed, provided the first hay
rop is taken off at the right time.
hen, too, cutting of the first crops
Or hay, clips off the weeds, making
ne seed crop much cleaner, and a
etter grade of seed is produced.
Growers of alfalfa should plan
heir operations so as to take advan-
age of the valuable seed crop, when
ne opportunity affords.