S6e Mone^ Crop o. West and Northwest E. G. MONTGOMERY n ^tate College of Agriculture m Cornell ®nibera;ttp Stbaca, Jl. g. ^i6rarj» Cornell University Library SB 205.A4M7 Alfalfa, by practical producer of this g 3 1924 000 357 701 Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924000357701 Alfalfa By a Practical Producer of This Great Money Crop of the West and Northwest Its adaptation to the Agricultural conditions of the territory reached by the North- Western Line, and its influence upon Cattle, Hog and Dairy Interests Industrial Department Chicago b° North Western Railway 215 Jackson Boulevard Chicago, 111. (^f4/^C OUR OBJECT With the advent of new settlers in the fertile, but less thickly settled portions of our western agricultural country, smaller farms are the order. This in turn demands changes that will in every way be beneficial to the farmer and to the country at large. The writer is prompted, therefore, to write this booklet having in view such changed conditions. UntU recently, the farmer has had the use of free and unoccupied land, producing free pasture in abundance and hay at cost of harvest, but present increased values have much restricted him in the use of unoccupied land. No one questions the value of nutritious, wild, prairie grass for hay or pasture, and as a pasture product we will first consider it. On the prairies in the west it is available about May 1st as a permanent pasture; about August 1st it is preserved, and when reduced by pasture use it is not again available until the following May. In other words, its use is for a period of about three or four months in twelve. It then becomes necessary to introduce a pasture that wiU furnish a longer period of use, or seed an additional amount of fall and winter feed. It requires, ordinarily, more acres of mid grasses than tame, to support a farm animal. A 'comparison ofjthe values of tame grasses is entirely favorable to the production of ALFALFA. We personally commenced the production of alfalfa several years ago in South Dakota, and have been modestly successful, at least to the extent that we know it can be profitably produced. We prophesy the next five years will find it firmly established as a permanent product of South Dakota and other western territory, and that whenever this is accomplished, land now commanding a price of $20.00, $25.00, $30.00 and $40.00 per acre will be in greater demand and at prices much advanced. With this in view, we have endeavored to present in this pamphlet the practical view of a producer and the testimonials of other producers, together with compilations from eminent gentlemen who have more technical knowledge than the writer. The combination we trust will be useful, especially to the settler on the western prairies. In mentioning different methods of cultivation, many of them in the same locality, criticism is not intended, but the different methods produce different results, and a description of them demonstrates that proper methods are the largest factor in the successful production of alfalfa. If a method is in effect that will not produce a profitable result where a dif- ferent method would produce an average crop, the wrong procedure is more harmfxil than shown by the loss of the crop, as it serves also to demonstrate that alfalfa cannot be successfully produced on the farm in question. We have in view many failures, partial failures and unsatisfactory results, and our own somewhat varied experiences. If by proper demon- stration it develops that a crop cannot be profitably produced on your farm, devote your land and energy to other lines, but do not condemn your efforts to succeed unless you are satisfied your procedure was right. We contend that some localities are not adapted to alfalfa production and we only recommend its production where at least an average crop can be secured. The Breeders Gazette, which is recognized as an authority, classes any land that will produce alfalfa as worth in value not less than one hun- dred dollars per acre. Undoubtedly an average crop and a reasonable location should qualify such statement as conservative. In the states of Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska, alfalfa production is not an experiment; it can be demonstrated and is demonstrated as a successful production in different localities, but the methods are so unsettled as to add a certain element of uncertainty to the results, lowering and making the average production much less than a proper standard would secure. The method we have adopted and recommend is, we think, especially adapted to South Dakota, particularly the western portion of the state, where favorable results wUl add many times to the present values of land. We advise care, work and patience, and the use of a small area of land, with repeated efforts before you are convinced of failure. In covering the proposition of procedure over an area represented by state lines, we are not unmindful of the different conditions that exist in different localities; yet our subject does not require exactly similar condi- tions to admit of similar procedure. We fix one fast rule : More efficient work to increase the average stand- ard of production and quality, keeping step with progress and business demands, preventing possible discouragement caused by misdirected effort, and removing the production of alfalfa from the experimental stage in the shortest possible time. SELECTION OF GROUND The importance of careful and proper selection of ground is apparent. If the crop is an experiment, we advise a small area. The experiment will thus be as complete, and we think, usually insures better work and care, and the better crop thus secured insures better future conditions, seed, etc. In a subdivision of essential conditions we class them in order: Cultivated land or new breaking, Condition of fertility, Preparation of fertilized land, SoO, sub-sou and top-soils, Drainage, High or low land. Assuming that soil inoculation is not necessary, and irrigation is not available, on a farm consisting of one hundred and sixty acres where it is the desire of the owner to produce from ten to forty acres of alfalfa, the owner should secure an average yield for the crop, of two and one-half to three and one-half tons per acre, on two or three cuttings. THE VALUE OF NEW OR OLD LAND , The results of seeding alfalfa on the first breaking of new ground is not generally favorable. The absence of weeds the first year on sod usually makes a good showing, but the root does not usually penetrate below the plow line. On the contrary, jt diverges along under the sod and sub-plow line, and the root does not develop vitality or strength to support per- manently a healthy, strong plant. The usual result is half as much stand, or less, the second year, and a poor, weak, straggling plant at spare inter- vals the third year. On the other hand a well cultivated, deep plowed field, with equally favorable conditions, will produce a penetrating, strong, healthy root that in turn will support a healthy, permanent plant. After the first year sub-soil is the important factor and on sod seeding sub-soil is never reached. Select old cultivated land with proper regard for other necessary essentials and secure a good root and permanent growth. We do not mean land that is not fertile by reason of excessive poor farming, but well cultivated land that is above the average in fertility. FERTILITY AND PREPARATION Condition of fertihty and preparation to produce suitable and proper fertility must be observed, and on account of prior use of such land is whoUy necessary. Alfalfa requires a fertile soU. While it is admitted that soil that produces very little vegetation, without irrigation, wUl produce a crop of alfalfa, the cause of no vegetation without irrigation is not that the soU is not fertile, but arises from other causes, usually climatic conditions. If the soil is not fertile it should be made so, and the application of farm manure fertilizer usually supplies other elements necessary to produce and support the plant. The method of preparation varies, but on account of the harmful effect of weeds following common farm-produced fertilizer we advocate its application the year prior to alfalfa seeding and the exter- nination of resultant weeds that have germinated, not allowing them to eseed. Common farm-produced fertilizer will produce weeds, but if treated a. year in advance, fertility is secured and weeds ehminated to a certain extent. Application of fertilizer can be followed by miUet, or the weeds mowed or plowed under before maturity of seed, and after alfalfa is seeded do not hesitate to sacrifice the first year's crop of alfalfa by cutting in time, so that weeds will not germinate and get the start of the plant. Results cannot be expected anyhow, the first season, and the third season the crop and stand should be better than the second year, as it requires about three seasons to secure the best crop. SOILS AND DRAINAGE We think top soil of a light variety, not sandy, with a light day sub- soil, and not too close to water is preferable. This soU, if fertUe and not sandy, quickens the growth, and the plant is protected by the moisture retaining clay sub-soil later. Do not select land that is not thoroughly surface drained, and the drainage will settle a high or low land selection. Water standing one day on alfalfa in a depression will affect it seriously; and if it freezes you can depend on a field with spots where the depressions fiUed up and water froze, and later such depressions will be filled up with a growth of weeds. The drainage question is the first to consider; and as to high or low land, the extremes are to be avoided. A gumbo element in soil properly cultivated is not undesirable, but it should be thoroughly cultivated and well drained. Farm manure is of great value on gumbo soU; it serves to loosen the soU, and to admit air and water. It should be cultivated with the soil and thoroughly worked together until it is well mixed, fine and uniform. We do not desire to fix a standard including particular soils to the exclusion of others; we simply state our preference after experience on both high and valley land and on slightly diflferent soils. Our views on drainage are such that we do not think it possible to secure a satisfactory crop from any soU without proper and adequate drain- age. In the territory described our reference is particularly to surface drainage and selection to secure natural surface drainage. CULTIVATION AND PROPER AMOUNT OF SEED We express ourselves forcibly in favor of thorough cultivation. We laid the foundation for this when we advised a small area or acreage. When we say good cultivation, we mean much better than the average. The object is to secure a good, even stand. This cannot be done without each step in procedure being right. It is not intended to re-seed like clover or coarse grains; and this emphasizes the necessity for a imiform, even stand, as the advantages are multiplied by the years of its growth and cannot be successfully remedied in the same field by re-seeding. Cultivation should be made to a garden condition. After deep plowing the cultivation follow- ing plowing does not require the depth to the extent of the plowing; such cultivation depth is not advisable. But it should extend below the depth of the seed. The amount of seed necessary depends to quite an extent on the con- dition of cultivation. With a cultivation to a garden condition, an even distribution of seed and a fair cover, fifteen pounds of seed to the acre IS sufficient without a nurse crop, and twenty pounds is perhaps better under average conditions. If good work is performed in preparing the seed bed it is as cheap as additional seed and very much better. We recommend twenty pounds of seed per acre with a germinating percentage of 90 per cent. KIND OF SEED AND HOW SEEDED Mild climatic seeds will germinate in a more severe dimate but do not stand the necessary after tests. Climatization of seeds is a pronounced necessity. The permanency of an alfalfa crop is a large element in its value and the severe test of permanency, other conditions being favorable, lies in the winter-resisting power of the pla&t, made possible by acclima- tion of seed. Theorists inform us there is no complete remedy against winter kiUuig, on account of there being no seed yet sufficiently climatized to whoUy resist it. We agree with such theory, but the seed that has been longest produced under same conditions wiU produce the highest per cent of good results under similar conditions. If seed can be secmred in a locality where it is to be seeded and it has been successfully produced in such locality for a period of time, it is the most desirable seed to use, the period of time it has been produced in such locality adding value to it as a seed for such locality. If you cannot secure such desirable seed, secure seed that has been produced in a more remote locality but where conditions are similar to your locality. Good seed is determined not only by the value of the first crop but by its permanency. SEED VARIETIES The Turkestan varieties have been recommended for use in South Dakota and as far south as the south Nebraska line . "Grimm's" alfalfa, a history of which is given in this booklet, is also recormnended, as it seems to have the longest location pedigree in a location desirable for use in the district we have described; and we recommend this class of seed. The merits of "Grimm's" alfalfa are dependent entirely on its unbroken period of location production, producing a seed so climatized as to withstand the winters peculiar to the northwest, where the temperature ia winter is low and dry, and where a small amount of snow falls frequendy and is retained on the fields. Secure seed as we have recommended and perpetuate it by reproduction until you have added to its value by acclimation. It is conceded acclima- tion is the most important essential of a new alfalfa seed. If your field is winter-killed, it is largely a question of seed acclimation and you should remedy it by another attempt. Do not mix alfalfa and other grass seeds. MANNER AND PROCEDURE IN SEEDING Regarding the question of how to seed, it is highly important to secure an even, sufficient distribution of the top soil from one to one and one-half inches in depth, according to moisture conditions. The seed should be sufficientiy deep in the ground to be brought in contact with moisture sufficient to insure germination. Assuming the plot of ground is to be small (from one to ten acres), we prefer the small hand crank seeder. It requires more time than the drUl or large seeder, but if a large acreage is seeded and the press drill used, we recommend seeding the field both ways and without a nurse crop. We prefer to recommend seeding with- out a nurse crop, as the alfalfa can then be harvested without regard to any specific time — any time considered best — either for the alfalfa or to exterminate weeds; while if a nurse crop existed, the alfalfa might in some way be injured by waiting a proper time to harvest the' nurse crop. A nurse crop is not necessary during the growing season and affords little aid at other times. As a weed exterminator it has advantages, but its dis- advantages are many and the weeds can be killed more effectively in a different manner. A nurse crop has to be removed to treat weeds. The nurse crop also absorbs a part of the moisture from the ground and it is often best to cut alfalfa after the seeding the first season to destroy weeds which could not be done if there was a nurse crop. THE TIME TO SEED ALFALFA The proper time to seed, we think, is as soon after the fifteenth of May as possible, not later than June 10th, and never seed unless ground is moist at a depth where seed will lodge deep enough to insure germination. The object in spring seeding is to secure as strong and healthy a plant as possible to resist winter climatic conditions. It must be reasonable to assume such strong, well rooted plant would have advantages over one of younger growth and less developed root. We have never been successful in treating spots that did not have a stand from first seeding, by re-seeding such spots. The causes that produced the first result always existed, and yet if it was a result of soil conditions it would have been dis- covered and successfully treated by application of the different elements necessary. In our re-sefeding, the cause was usually a depression not drained, which could with time and work have been remedied, but the remedy should be applied before seeding the first time. Drainage will usually add to uniformity if there is a growth in other parts of the field. Late seeding gives time for necessary previous cultivation and weed extermi- nation. TREATMENT OF UNIFORM THIN GROWTH The disk is resorted to by many to thicken and even a stand of alfalfa. We think it proper after the first year, provided conditions are favorable, but care should be exercised to prevent harm. It is necessary to have a reasonably uniform stand to avoid weeds where a stand is thin, for if weeds are not eradicated they vnll soon destroy a thin alfalfa stand. You vsdll succeed better than to re-seed and you may have to sacrifice one or two crops to secure a satisfactory stand; if so do it, as the good stand is necessary. If necessary to eradicate weeds, make other sacrifices by cutting the alfalfa high above the ground a few times. We have recommended other preventatives for weeds which we consider more desirable. You have noted we have not advocated re-seeding; we have not been successful along such lines. We recommend proper and thorough cultivation and proper seed bed, and results will come without other assistance. If neces- sary to use the disk, set the blades straight and do not tear the ground, but cut it, and the crowns will not be injured. PROCEDURE AND TIME OF HARVEST We have now covered the preliminary work of alfalfa production from selection of ground to completion of seeding,and the next in order is harvest and care of crop. There is no experiment necessary for this purpose. Harvesting at the proper time and in the proper manner is important, in order not to injure succeeding crops and to preserve and secure the crop harvested. The time to harvest is when the crop is in early bloom and the manner is to cut the crop from two to three inches above the ground. We have secured the best results by such procedure and there will be very little exception taken to this procedure by those who have finally adopted this method. Too close cutting, too early or too late harvest has a detrimental effect which can be prevented by the two propositions regarding time and method of harvest. When it first begins to bloom the new shoot is just starting for the succeeding crop, and we do not advocate too close cutting and never too late in the season. PRESERVATION OF QUALITY AND QUANTITY The method of preservation is not a simple one; it involves preservation of quality and of quantity and is more slow and requires more care and work than ordinary hay harvest. The less handling the better; additional handling carries loss in quantity. The dropping of leaves from a cured plant means serious loss and is easily accomplished; as a consequence the procedure should be slow enough to insure care and preservation. This can be done, the method being to only harvest, if possible, what can be cared for in one day; and placing in bam, shed or stack only in such quantities that it will finish the curing or preservation process without injury and not be so fuUy cured when handled as to lose in quantity by the breaking and loss of leaves. This requires judgment and care, yet can be done without loss of time. The hay racks should be covered with old cloth or sacks to prevent loss in transit. It will be observed that the curing of alfalfa that is to be stored in barns, sheds or stacked, should be done on a bright day with no dew or moisture on the hay. PRESERVATION AND HANDLING IN STACKS If alfalfa is to be stacked, practically the same method can be used. In starting, do not load on the stack more than three or four feet of partiy preserved alfalfa until that amount has cured; then proceed to construct the stack in sections at intervals, allowing sufficient intermediate time to cure the preceding sections in the stack. If necessary, several stacks can be in course of construction simultaneously, to make the work contin- uous. The same care should be used in taking the stack down for use. The stack should always be cut with a hay knife and not removed in a promiscuous way, like other hay. We recommend moderate sized stacks and we advise a complete covering with a good quality of cured prairie hay, after alfalfa preservation is assured. It must be remembered that alfalfa hay is more susceptible to injury by weather conditions than the wild prairie grasses. HARVESTING AND SECURING SEED When the ball is matured, examination will develop a mature inside seed, usually about ten days after disappearance of the blossom. If the crop is harvested in the usual way and threshed before stacking it saves additional handling and loss. Hullers and other properly improved machinery are best, of course, but we anticipate such improved machinery will not always be available. The threshing machine has performed our work, with the sieves set much the same as for flax threshing. Many balls were not broken in this process, and it required an extra amount of cleaning, which was undesirable. After the necessary cleaning, the seed should be kept dry and not be exposed to extreme temperatures. Testing alfalfa seeds can be accomplished in the same manner as with other seeds. For this purpose take two flannel pads with a tin plate, the pads evenly moistened and kept at an even room temperature. Between these moistened pads place one hundred seeds, those germinating being the percentage demonstrating the test. Either the first or the second crop wiU produce seed, but we have preferred to use the second, as it gave us the first early hay and we were more liable to secure three cuttings during the season by the first early harvest. 10 LONGEVITY OF ALFALFA FIELDS This is dependent on conditions; we have seen fields twenty-four years old in Meade County, South Dakota, without irrigation, that were in a healthy condition, producing a profitable crop. The water line, conditions of soil and the opportunities given by eradication of weeds, and an oc- casional light manure top dressing and necessary attention, will add ma- terially to longevity. We know South Dakota, and especially the western section, is specially adapted to a profitable alfalfa growth, and with proper procedure, unusual longevity is assured for the plants. ALFALFA A SOIL MAKER As alfalfa is one of the legume or clover family, it possesses inherent soil-making qualities. Its extraction of nitrogen from^the air assists in building plant tissue, and as the foundation for a crop rotation it has.merit equal to clover. There is no intelligent person who does not advocate crop rotation as a necessity, and intelligent rotation begins with a legume crop; and if a foundation for crop rotation can be produced at a profit and main- tained by unusual longevity, it is apparent that it has no equal, either for profitable production or as a soil maker. Its use, therefore, is as much to be encouraged for the one purpose as the other; we will demonstrate more particularly regarding its commercial value, however, for its value as a soU maker is not challenged. VALUE OF ALFALFA FOR HAY AND PASTURE] Alfalfa has more varied uses as hay than for pastvu-age. It is more valuable for hog pasture than for other farm animals, yet such use is detrimental to a permanent stand of alfalfa. Other animals can be pas- tured on alfalfa fields with care and profit, but its comparative value, everything considered, is more as a hay crop. Pasture'has a tendency to introduce other grasses and weeds, and, while it is exceedingly profitable for hog pasture, it must be expected that its permanency wUl not be se- cured by such use. We think as a general proposition it should be harvested and fed green or harvested and preserved and the stand more fuUy protected. As a pastiure, care must be taken that it is not fed too close, so that the crown end of the root may be protected. XX TABLE 1 From the special bulletin issued by Wisconsin State University covering experiments made at the Experimental Station Farm, we have compiled a comparative value table based on value per ton of timothy hay on the farm at $2.50 per ton. KIND Comparative Yield Comparative Per cent Pounds pro- Pounds pro- value per per acre weight green liay protein tein per ton tein per acre acre, based _^ ^ on protein Alfalfa 5.4 tons Red Clover.... 2. 5 " Timothy 2.3 " Brome-grass. ..1.3 " 100 18.17% 363.4 1962.3 51.75 50 13.28% 265.6 664. 17.51 33.3 4.74% 94.8 218. 5.75 20 6.07% 121.4 157.8 4.16 Against the accurate comparative value as demonstrated by the above table'is the comparative cost of work, seed and harvest, but charging such difference in the table would leave an exceedingly favorable comparison in alfalfa production. The table above consists of essentials that vary but little, making the result dependent only on variation in yield per acre. The yield per acre shown in the table is above the average, but it is accurate for the place and time it was produced. TABLE 2 The following table shows a comparison of cost incident to production of grasses, with other information covering costs up to the harvest and for the first year only. It does not include net results, which will be set forth in a succeeding table. This is intended as applicable to South Dakota. You will note in addition to plowing, we have added $3.50 per acre for seeding and extra cultivation, and this money (or labor representing so much money) is well invested. KIND Pounds seed per bushel Pounds seed per acre Cost of seed per acre Cost of seed per pound Plowing land per acre Extra cultivation per acre Total cost per acre Alfalfa 60 Red Clover.. 60 Timothy 45 Brome-grass. 20 Upland 20 10 16 25 $3.20 1.20 .56 1.75 .00 .16 .12 .035 .07 .00 $1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 .00 $3.50 3.00 2.00 2.00 .00 17.70 5.20 3.56 4.75 0.00 The above table shows in detail the visible cost of perfecting a seed bed, necessary labor and expense the first year. We do not include any harvest expense the first year, as it is not anticipated that the first crop will more than pay such expense of harvest, consisting chiefly of necessary expense in cutting at an opportune time to eliminate weeds. The item of "extra cultivation" will ordinarily cover other expenses. 12 TABLE 3 An estimated South Dakota table of comparative values of hay pro- duced without other than procedure outlined by us, and based on such estimated yields per acre as wU-l appeal to the reader as natural and reason- able, is as follows. It is based on a value of $2.50 per ton of timothy and an average of 2^ tons per acre. The production is considered conservative. Comparative Yield Per cent Pounds Pounds value KIND per protein, protein protein per acre, based on acre hay per ton per acre protein Alfalfa 2.5 ton Red Clover If " Timothy H " Upland 1 Brome-Grass. . . .1 " 18.17% 363.4 908 $23.98 13.28% 265.6 464 12.25 4.74% 94.8 142 3.75 6.25% 125. 125 3.30 6.09% 121.4 121 3.19 The above is an estimated yield per acre, with the actual test of proteiu in each kind of plant and its comparative value per ton. This is done by taking timothy at $2.50 per ton on the farm as a basis, based also on per- centage of protein each item contains. We have included upland prairie hay to make the table valuable as a South Dakota comparison, and against above values per acre should be charged the difference in cost of seed, work and harvesting of each crop, shown in another table. For feeding pur- poses the relative amount of protein woiild produce a more conservative estimate for alfalfa than the others, as it is a more equally balanced ration. TABLE 4 .1 w; The following table shows in detail the second year's expense in har- vesting and securing the crop, the total expense and gross value per acre and the net results. The preliminary expenses in table 2 are not included for the reason that in the alfalfa crop such expense would be absorbed through the years of future growth. These figures are based on an average yield of 2J tons per acre. ■jrj-^yj Cost per acre Cost per acre Total cost to harvest to secure per acre SECOND YEAR Alfalfa $1.00 $3.25 $4.25 Red Clover 55 2.00 2.55 Timothy 40 1.55 1.95 Brome-grass 30 1.15 1.45 Upland 25 1.15 1.40 Total value per acre Net profit per acre, based on protein $23.98 $19.73 12.25 9.70 3.75 1.80 3.30 1.85 3.19 1.79 The above table is applicable to South Dakota conditions. It is intended to be conservative, but is subject of course to varying conditions. We insist that the cost of preparation for the alfalfa seed bed is absolutely necessary in order to secure adequate^esults. 13 TABLE 5 A farmer operating a farm of 160 acres and desiring to engage in mixed farming and to maintain soil fertility must engage in live stock production and produce legume crops for feed and as an additional soil maker, and assuming that twenty-five acres of one crop would be the maximum, we have compiled the following table showing comparative . results from twenty-five acre plots yielding an average of 2 J tons per acre : ■rr TXTT^ Value per acre, Value 25 acres, ^"""d on protein based on protein Alfalfa $19.73 $493.25 Red Clover 9.70 242.50 Timothy 1.80 45.00 Brome-grass 1.85 46.25 Upland hay 1.79 44.75 The above represents the net value, all cost of production and harvest deducted, based on comparative value and production, and is of course subject to variation. The estimates are intended to be conservative and are based on procedure we have oudiued, which would without doubt produce results not much at variance with these figures. The question of the number of acres of alfalfa to produce on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres is dependent on many considerations. From tables submitted the question that is raised at once is, "Why not produce more alfalfa by devoting more acres to alfalfa?" The answer is found in former statements — few farms have in one plot more than twenty-five acres out of a total of one hundred and sixty acres that is in every way adapted to such use when aU conditions of soil are favorable, as the right location, perfect drainage and other favorable considerations are usually found in plots of less than twenty-five acres. A gentle slope is preferable, not too much, but void of even slight depressions where water will remain for several hours and thus destroy the growth. We advise smaller plots, a few acres in favored localities and the aggregate acreage confined to a small area. Thus the results will be equal to a much larger area, if all necessary conditions are carefully observed, and the acreage can at a future time be increased to meet further demands. While it is a fact that results displayed in the tables published herein are based on average conditions, yet these results are largely dependent on the amount of work put in on the seed bed and the crop. If ample preparation, care and cultivation are not given the result is not only correspondingly less, but the parity of the figures in these tables is entirely destroyed. Seed is expensive and if the work is to an extent experimental, reduce the acreage until such time as you produce your own seed, then seed in plots in a dozen different favored localites in preference to selecting one field of varied conditions. One acre will produce a reasonable test; one hundred acres might be a problem. In any event it will not be so much of a problem if the one acre has proved a success. Our advice is directed to the small farmer who is beginning an experiment which, if reasonably successful, will prove a decided success in every way. 14 TABLE 6 From the experimental station bulletin No. 105, University of Nebraska, we compile some comparative values in feeding experiments, the test in the following table being made with 100 grade calves, winter feed, December 15th to April 11th, and in addition to the hay with which comparison is made, each calf received a daily grain ration of two pounds, consisting of two-thirds corn and one-third oats. KIND ^„ || 1^ _,! is g| fo_ AUaUa 20 116 1.23 lbs. 143 lbs. 12.3 lbs. 1000 lbs. 162 lbs. Prairie hay 20 116 .65 " 76 " 10.9 " 1676 " 305 " Cane 20 116 .39 " 46 " 14.3 " 3666 " 504 " i each alfalfa and prai- rie hay 20 116 114 " 133 " 15 " 1315 " 174 " i each alfalfa and cane. 20 116 1.20 " 140 " 17 " 1416 " 165 " This table is complete to an extent that shows the relative value of alfalfa with other forage and a light grain ration, and especially as a winter feed. All of the calves while on feed were subjected to similar treatment, the only exception being the kind and quantity of hay above mentioned. The table shows the favorable resxilts from alfaJfa hay and the production per acre would add greatly to this favorable comparison. TABLE 7 This table shows the same calves as included in table 6. The second winter, ten of the original steers withdrew, leaving eighteen in each lot and five lots. The feed had been revised, those fed alfalfa the first winter were fed cane in this table; those fed prairie hay the previous winter were fed one-half each of alfalfa and cane ; those fed cane the first winter were fed alfalfa in this table; those fed one-half each alfalfa and prairie hay the first winter, received the same in this table; those fed one-half each alfalfa and cane the first winter were fed prairie hay in this table. No grain was fed with this test and the experiment covered a period of four months. >t u KIND -r™ .si ^3 8i _ g § ■Sis f S ..g I g.g.g Alfalfa 18 120 .67 lbs. Gain 81 lbs. Gain 2424 20.2 lbs. 2990 lbs. Prairie hay 18 120 . 15 lbs. Loss 18 lbs. Loss 2242 18 . 7 Loss Cane 18 120 .53 lbs. Loss 64 lbs. Loss 2881 24 Loss 1 papVi fl.l'fs.lffl, 3,11 d prairie hay .... 18 120 .51 lbs. Gain 62 lbs. Gain 2471 20.5 2950 cane 18 120 .76 lbs. Gain 92 lbs. Gain 2721 22.7 3980 There being no grain used in this experiment and the groups being revised from the previous winter, makes the result a most interesting one — showing the comparison favorable to alfalfa. The result in this table should be carefully considered in connection with the change ia feed from previous winter. 15 TABLE 8 Comparative value of hay and corn fodder, fed vnth an equal amount of snapped corn at Agricultural Experimental Station (Bulletin No. 93), University of Nebraska. The experiment was made with six lots of ten steers each, practically even weight and conditions, which were fed twelve Tveeks. The amount of snapped com being equal in each lot with the nexception of the last two. 3 S3 p J^ Is %a f« g-B 2s gra g^S gao ga.a .gag |-S^ 3l^ ^a ssg sss sb" Ii& §Sa li-3 Si-i Prairie hay 975 101 1.20 9.47 18.22 7.87 15.16 23.03 Prairie and alfalfa 979 169 2.01 9.47 21.10 4.70 10.47 15.17 Alfalfa 977 173 2.06 9.47 22.15 4.60 10.75 15.35 Com stover 976 86 1.02 9.47 22.86 9.25 22.44 31.69 Corn stover and aKalfa 974 165 1.96 9.61 22.45 4.90 11.44 16.34 Com fodder and alfalfa 972 152 1.81 9.61 22.45 5.31 12.41 17.72 This table is interesting from the fact that it shows relative gains on this class of steers, two years old, fed grain and alfalfa, and grain and other hay and fodder. The distinction between corn fodder and com stover is as follows : corn stover is the stalk when the ears and husks have been removed; fodder is the stalk with the husk attached. The above experiment closed January 24th, which represents an early feeding. TABLE 9 Comparative value of different rations, including alfalfa hay, as a mixture with other grains and compared with other hay and other mixtures- Agricultural Experimental Station Bulletin No. 93, University of Nebraska. The experiment was made with the same steers as in table 8, commenced February 15th and was for a period of eight weeks. Three weeks inter- vened between the two experiments and during that time the steers were gradually changed from snapped to shelled com. rtflili S. ^=> riS. "O. T3. ^^.g 1=2.s^ .sj M i" la la "I .as, a,-o 0.3 rt Si a-a s-a 5 M KIND „sj „oo . «S 8a -S^i 8g 8S Jia gISgMB gt, .s-a gs'o 4°" <^°- « S d