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 JffiWO JEm™m^^FAGRIC 
 
 BULLETIN 111. 
 
 Toronto. December. 1900. 
 ACmCUlTURAl COLLEGE AND EXPERIMENTAL FARM. 
 
 LUCER.E oa AUP.L.A : <oMPos,T,o» AKi, r„omTmLnr. 
 
 Bt R. Hahooct, B. ^ A., Ai»,8TA»v Ch.mmt. 
 
 INTBODUOTION. 
 
 and produces l.rge crop, even 
 m our dryeat weather. Dur- 
 ing the past extremely drv 
 aeasoo, when meat /nsJ. 
 
 were brown and parch?d.^e 
 lucerne waa a rich green color, 
 making a luxuriant growth 
 
 It haa been grown only in 
 amall plot, near farm build- 
 ings, to be uaed aa a aupple- 
 mentary food for farm ato.k, 
 fjpecally for working horses! 
 Jiow, on many hundred-acre 
 fame, ten, fifteen, and even 
 
 twenty acres of lucerne may 
 J« found, and many tons ot 
 hay are made from it every 
 year. The idea aeema to pre- 
 vail that though thia plant 
 producea an immenae amount 
 of rich food when cat and 
 need green, yet when cut and 
 
 „?'t^»?i?y.itforn.8»har8h, 
 iis„ , .: . "'*'*y' indigestible fodder So 
 
 beTofBLf.^ '''''"'''''"''•''"•'• «•'''*"'•? t»''''«n,'e num. ^ aacortain what aronnH 
 
 f, J •"' ^' Fo«ible, at wha^ 
 
 4* I 
 
 * i 
 
2 
 
 ■tage is id growth the plant thonld be out to get the maximnm amoant of 
 digestible cooititaenti, the work of this balletia was nndertaken. While all 
 the work has been dooe with soientifio accuracy, the treatmf nt of the subject 
 in the bulletin is of a praoticr), rather than a sclent i6o, character. 
 
 Hi&TORT or Plamt. 
 
 Lucerne, or Alfalfa (Medicaqo saliva), is a plant of the large and valu- 
 e botanical family called LegnminoBae. The clovers all belong to this 
 family and form a peonliar but interesting sericj of plants botanically and 
 practically, as well as chemically. Lucerne, though not a true clover, re- 
 sembles the clover very much ; it belongs to the genus Medieago, while the 
 clovers are of tho genus 7Vifolium. Lucerne is one of the most ancient of 
 forage plants, having been cultivated by the Greeks, Romans, and Esryptians 
 before the Christian era, and at a later date especially within the ninteenth 
 centnr?, by many of the nations of Barope. The Spaniards introduced it 
 int'« South America, wheie it has been grown for a longtime, especially in the 
 arid and semi-arid regions along the west ehore From this region it was in- 
 trodnced into Mexico and California ; and from there it has spread across the 
 western states and the territories of the United States, where it still retains 
 the Spanish name of Alfalfa. The same plant coming to us from countries of 
 Europe, other than Spain usually goes by the the name of Lacerne, from the 
 valley cf Lucerne in Switzerland, where it isigiown in very large quantities. 
 
 Dkbcription of Plant. 
 
 Lucerne is rather a slender growing, branching perennial plant, with 
 leaves much smaller than those of the common red or mammoth red clover. 
 It is of « peculiar dark, rich green color which is easily distinguished in a dry 
 season, even at a considerable distance. Th<« lucerne blossoms differ markedly 
 from those of the clovers, the latter having blossoms aggregated or clustered 
 in a somewhat rounded bead or bunch, while the former has liS beautifal 
 small, hooded, or pea«like, puiple blossoms scattered along the stem loosely, 
 in what the botanist calls a raceme. Again, the seed ]:rads are single and 
 coiled spirally, while in the red and white clovers they ara straight and 
 crowded into a head. The brownish jellow seeds resemble those of the red 
 olover somewhat, but aro larger, longer and more kidney- shaped. 
 
 The plant nsually has a single long and strong tap root, which throws off 
 numerous small branches or rootlets as it passes downwards. Various infla- 
 enoee may cause an apparent breaking up of this tap root into a number of 
 smaller roots, which, however, penetrate the soil 'almost as deeply as the main 
 root. In an open, porous subsoil the tap-roots have been traoed to a depth of 
 twelve and fifteen feet In such a soil the length of the root seems to be 
 limited only by the distance to the water table, even if that be twenty or 
 thirty feet below the surf ace. Good strong roots have been fbuiid at a depth 
 of eight feet in very heavy olay soil. These roots on decaying leave little 
 tube-like openings leading down into the ground in all directions, and must 
 be of considerable value as a means of -underdraining «nd aerating the soil. 
 Again, these roots running so deeply into the soil are of great value in bring- 
 ing back to the surface plant food which has been washed down beyond the 
 
 reach of < 
 that is la 
 In a 
 the free i 
 which inc 
 small nod 
 contain n 
 bacteria, 
 
 . '/^ : 
 
 ' -N) 
 
 Flg.-l. Single 8tei 
 
 ment supply 
 means, not i 
 the atmospb 
 minous plant 
 gen, which, i 
 reason-all th( 
 espeoially va 
 into oontect 
 
8 
 
 which taola^SaM. ,rtch«7„„Z. ± ""'°''^'!''« "» leg.mi,.«» (.mil/ 
 conUla million. apoD million. «"M^Lv.i!S '»*"'«'«• knott, or nodak . 
 
 ucH.. which liv". on .h.% o7'r:i^."r i7r::^r,rL^i:';;' 
 
 i 
 
 Single gtem of luoerne Ukcn from plant shown Fi,, s ,.,„„, .. 
 
 in Fig. 1. ^ 'thL' '"Pu'^'^'"*'' months from date of seedine 
 
 m«nt of top as romparcd with the root! 
 
 minons pit. have at their difLalVS3°/ii''''*«"?"°i* organtams. legu- 
 gen. whkh, Boiar-a. i. knownTuLrvEe i?^^^ '"^P^^ °' »**~- 
 
 r«»on.«ll the legumes are y^nMB,li^!^rlL °*^«'. '»'•'", °"P* ^<» 'hi» 
 eipeoiall, valaaSe. owinl tTS ext^S&7 <»' «»i '^""'y- I-^erne i. 
 into oonteot with nitr^J^iZt^^^^ ^^^^ o' «>ot wUch brin« ifc 
 .« a a„a coastisaenw thai are oat of the reach of 
 
 51 
 
 H 
 
 
other plants ; and theie must of neoMiity be carried np to the growing parts 
 o( the plant and thus become available for food or manare. This oonolosion 
 1b fally borne oat by the reaalts of chfiuioal analysis ; for npon reference to 
 tables of analysis, it will be seen that as a food for young and growing stock 
 it is the equal of any of oar fodders ; and that in nitrogen, potash and phoa* 
 phone acid, it is licher than tho graaeea and fully as rich as the clovers. 
 
 OULTIVATION. 
 
 One drawback to the growirg of lucerne is the fact that it cannot be 
 used in a short rotation of crops. On aorount of the length of time it requires 
 to become rstsblished in the soil, and on acooant of the size and toughness of 
 the roots, the land seeded with lacerae should be selected with the view of 
 allowing it to remain for a number of years. Just how long it may be profit- 
 ably left before breaking up depends very much upon how clean the land was 
 at the time of seeding ; but the time varies between six and twelve years, al- 
 though in some cases it has been found profitable to leave it even longer. A 
 crop that is expected to hold the giound for so long a period, should have a 
 faultless seed-bed. It will amply repay careful cleaning of the land previous 
 to seeding. This is especially true on rather poor land, where the fimt year's 
 crop will likely be small and consequently in danger of being overoome with 
 weeds. The land may be prepared by means of a late summer fallow, or 
 better, the seeding may follow a hoed crop ; but, whatever the preparation of 
 the land, it must be clean and, as the seeds are small, it is essential that it be 
 In a very fine condition mechanically. 
 
 The soil beat euited for the growth of lucernu seems to be a deep loam, 
 rather dry, containing a fair proportion of lime, with good deep natural drain' 
 age. It will, however, do well upon almost any soil that is well drained, pro- 
 vided it once becomes well rooted. Heavy clay and light sandy soils both 
 produce excellent crops of lucerne, but on the latter it naturally requires gen- 
 erous manuring. It should never be sown on land in which the water table 
 stands near the surface, or on land likely to be covered with water at any 
 season of the year. This will exclude most low-lying ground where grasses 
 naturally do well. 
 
 The amount of seed sown varies considerably, some sowing about 15 lbs. 
 of seed per acre, while others use as much as 40 lbs., or even more. Under 
 ordinary conditions 15 to 20 lbs. per acre are sufficient. The covering may 
 be done with a light harrow and roller. If sown with oats, barley, or the 
 like, not more than about one half the ordinary amount of grain should be 
 sown psr aore, even then the young plants are apt to be killed by exposure to the 
 san when the " nurse " crop is removed, especially if hot dry weather follows 
 the cutting of the grain crop. Better results are usually obtained by sowing 
 the seed alone. The best time to sow is as soon as the ground can be got into 
 good condition in the spring and danger of heavy fronts is passed. In some 
 oases, difficulty is exporiepced in getting a good stand on clay soils. An ex- 
 cdl«ut " tikiJh " has been obtained ovr bare, heavy clay knolls by giving them 
 a top dressing T?ith barnyard tnsatsrc at the time of sefeding. 
 
 '.i.:i 
 
 Wf^: 
 
 
 K"#,;; 
 
 ■^■i^ ■ fSi 
 
 '"•^ 
 
 
 mm 
 
 Via 4. This 
 than 18 feet in a 
 Colorado. The i 
 simplicity of the 
 upper margin of 
 neu to ahow the 
 
 Tfaia alfalfa \ 
 these roots, just I 
 
^' 
 
 
 
 thanks fit i^artXtldTth'/p''" ^-^^e of an opening made to the depth of rather more 
 Colorado The son i*a tine Lllnvinn. fA^P^^^fn' Station Farm, at Rocky JTord, Otero County, 
 •implte^ty of toe ^i gtgte* l'^"Ji,",'^h„nF*'"I''"''' i^f-'t"?^^^^^^ » <i«Pth of 12 feet G inchee. and tgi 
 uppSrmaVnoftWK^hMpres^^^^^^^ their natural position. Thl 
 
 t6] 
 
 
 f 
 I 
 
 I 
 
VlTALITT OF SkKO. 
 
 A great deal hM been written coocerning the poor vitality of luoeme 
 ■eed. North Ourolina Balletin No. 60 has the tallowing : " The viUlity of 
 laoerne leed ia bo low that seed over one year old is aoaroely worth aowing." 
 London i>ys : " Great care ihonld be had to proonre it (lacerne seed) plump 
 and perfectly new, ai two yean old leod does not come up freely. OoloNdo 
 Balletin No. 35 records a germinatiDg expuriment in which a veir high per- 
 centage of seed, two, three and six years old, sprouted. The United States 
 Experiment Station Record, Vol. vi. No. 5, gives in tabular form the result of 
 an eleven years' test of the duration of the vitality of some agricultural seeds 
 made by S. Samck* from which the following is taken. Well matured 8»ed 
 was selected, a portion of which was examined each year from 1883 to 1894. 
 Thn unused portions were kept in paper bags in a dry airy room and seeda 
 taken from them each succeeding year for the test 
 
 RB8ULT8 OF Elbvin Ybars' Sbbd Tebtinq. 
 
 Kinde of seed. 
 
 Peroentaffe of vitality. 
 
 
 1 
 year 
 
 91 
 90 
 73 
 74 
 95 
 46 
 
 2 
 yra. 
 
 91 
 90 
 61 
 72 
 90 
 47 
 
 3 
 yri. 
 
 87 
 88 
 51 
 63 
 90 
 44 
 
 4 
 
 yn. 
 
 75 
 81 
 87 
 52 
 88 
 44 
 
 6 
 yre. 
 
 72 
 74 
 16 
 50 
 86 
 88 
 
 6 
 yra. 
 
 71 
 68 
 7 
 50 
 79 
 M 
 
 7 
 yre. 
 
 68 
 44 
 6 
 35 
 66 
 21 
 
 8 
 yra. 
 
 66 
 16 
 6 
 81 
 39 
 12 
 
 9 
 
 yn- 
 
 68 
 10 
 
 3 
 26 
 15 
 
 8 
 
 10 
 yre. 
 
 11 
 
 yiB. 
 
 Lnoerne . 
 
 69 
 8 
 8 
 
 23 
 1 
 6 
 
 51 
 2 
 3 
 
 •22 
 
 
 Red clover 
 
 Alaike 
 
 White clover 
 
 Timothy 
 
 Orchard grans 
 
 It will be seen that in the first year of the experiment, out of 100 seeds 
 of lucerne planted, 94 germinated ; of the same number of red clover, 90 
 germinated ; of alsike, 73 ; of white clover, 74 ; of timothy, 96 ; of orchard 
 grass, 46 ; while in the eleventh year but 54 out of the 100 seeds of lucerne 
 grew, 2 of red clover, 3 of alsike, 22 of white clover, and none of either tim- 
 othy or orchard grass. According to these figures, age does not afiect the 
 vitality of lucerne seed so much as it does the other seeds used in the experi- 
 ment No observations, however, were made by the experimenter regarding 
 the strength of the plants from the old seed as compared with those from the 
 new seed. 
 
 Carb of Orop. 
 
 The firat year is the most critical period in the growth of lucerne ; and, 
 unless on very rich ground, no crop need be expected the first season. Daring 
 that time the roots are pushing down deep into the soil, so that the plants 
 may be in a position to grow a good top the second year. If there be consid- 
 erable growth, the orop may be lightly pastured, but not late in the season. 
 
 * Tiro!, knd!!. Blatter, 18(!S94), No. 18, pp. 161, 162, 1883 to 1891? 
 
 Fio. 5. It V 
 whose roots wer 
 two ro3t8, 7i fe€ 
 oiaok Bpout uu ii 
 
Fio. 5. It 
 
 two.roote. 7i feat from the SI?e! i^f •.ZtST^l!'.!? *j!i1 ?>»« »»>e termlS? porti^n,^! 
 «l««BpoUua ILerootB. The extfemitUV of '^ iip S. Y^^rwere1,S o^ 
 
 [7] 
 
 ■ i 
 
 ! ( 
 11 
 
'8 
 
 m»7 be powing «nd htm • maloh around the growing pUnta The ■eooad 
 
 I3^f. r? ' ' M **•*' "•' ** continued for« numberof yeer.. During 
 !n?V K '' «*vor.ble ■eMon. even four crop, m.j be eecoKd. When it S 
 Z« J ?'^' •" Vrr '*^* ""' P'^"'^ from fifteen to twenty ton. of An 
 crop per .ore. The lucerne grown on the college experimentikl ground, yield- 
 ed M an average of three year. 20,33 ton. of gAen oVrp per acrl ^ 
 
 l!JJ?^ n ""1? ". •'•'• "** '*•* '•~"'' *■ "'»' 'o*" ■«»<'. •'*•' which it [. pa.- 
 2»« nJu°\^r •??'''■ *^ *V"r* '•""" •°"'*'y 'o'P-tnre, but owing to 
 wme pecularitie. of it. growth it i. not .o well .uitedTor p.^turinir a. for 
 
 STn?" \'k" « ^.r^P' " '"««"'« •• *° ^ P-t"«^. enough .^k^mwtJe 
 kept on the field to eat off all the growth before the plant paiJe. the Lw 
 blo.«,min8 «t.ge or el«, the field mu.t he mown a. often m ^eTl^t^ !^h 
 
 wav 1mJ1?*m i*^; ^ T'* "°*""°"- P"ture will be obUined in thi. 
 BnL^ln M« ^1 « *?? °'/1T'y pastured, the crop may be injured. Farmer'. 
 Bulletin No 31 offer, the following nxplanation on this point, "The young 
 
 o!n«Ji the crown of the root. The brancbe. accend directly above the 
 
 inere robuat .tern, elonpte underground and become new branchproducing 
 I«i!;i wi \r*y '^'^ '*'"P'® "••''• ^'^ '•'*'«>""». become, two or many 
 v!!, k'- I*"" '**l»*f"» V« <«»' Of «"««'! off. the .talk die. down to the 
 very baae and new buds .pnng up on the upper part or crown of the new 
 root and grow forming new .tem.. Thi. method of growth expUin. why 
 mwy farmer, have reported that alfalfa i. injured or deatroyed by oontinuoM 
 close «ra.mg The .tern, of many other forage plant., whej cut^r broke" 
 
 lndttyZM'^7'' «^"?'*' S'"**"* ^»*^'-*> -»'oot. that immediately grow ui^ 
 and take the p'ace of the old . tems. If alfnlfa i. closely grazed, and if every 
 young stem i. eaten off a. rapidly a. it appear., the vitality of the root will Im 
 
 tSr^t uli f"""! J^^^ "^^ .^^''•°'* **»« "^'^ 8'"°''th come, directly from 
 ll ^\r^ ' ""? T '7™ the bawa of the old .tern.. There i. mora dan- 
 ger of killing out the alfalfa field, when aheep are pa.tured on them than 
 by the paaturmg of cattle, hor.e9 or hog., a. the latter do not graze the planU 
 a. clowiy a. do eheep, except at time, when there is inanflioient foragft" 
 
 th«f?nVK'°\'n?''^*'"*1** °l *°°®™^ "^y deteriorate very rapidly after 
 a .»r„rr„r ^^"•,.°?^?/ '^ '*"®'''^' P'^^P*' »tt«ntion. It i. naturally 
 
 a .trong grower and will hold it. own if it ha. a fair chance. Where, for 
 any reaaon, plant, have been killed, seed should ba sown a. soon as powible. 
 
 fi..«^u°*'"7i°°J'*f®''®''*^*'°''"*""'°''*''»»'''*' f«'' the root, go deeper 
 S!L fJ ^/u^^i'T"''"** "wiouBly retard, if they do not altogether 
 
 t^^i' J^fr**" °' *^" *■**■• . ^*»* <>"«'• '»°^«^«'. '"V ^ pitted on 
 ground which has grown lucerne, for, throng b the action of the deep root, of 
 the plant, mineral fertiliEer. are brought near the surface, the .nbaoil i. made 
 porou.. and the de»d and decaying: root, furnish organic food in the best form 
 for rapid ab.3rption by.the.roots of the tree.. 
 
 equal to 1 
 
 the plant 
 
 The moat 
 
 time they 
 
 quality oi 
 
 a cheap f( 
 
 Station, 5 
 
 and other 
 
 in a great 
 
 food, or tl 
 
 decreaM ii 
 
 Ing of lnc< 
 
 but contai 
 
 yellow coll 
 
 containing 
 
 It mi 
 
 deteriorate 
 
 allowed to 
 
 have dr^pi 
 
 have inorei 
 
 oouKqnent 
 
 extent thai 
 
 ing our difi 
 
 lucerne haj 
 
 the end of i 
 
 of the thirc 
 
 eaten. Wi 
 
 .heep, fed 1 
 
 further troi 
 
 with aerioui 
 
 bowels ; a | 
 
 by a ba^n ol 
 
 lucerne eatc 
 
 prove it con 
 
 Ing in large 
 
 vanced .tag 
 
 altogether ; 
 
 earlier stage 
 
 red clover oi 
 
 As a Boi 
 the earliest, 
 throughout t 
 
 •Royal Ag 
 
9 
 
 Ldoiuti ai a Foddii. 
 
 The met nntritlon. SdJr rSl bL obSJn^rhi '»";y ^"!« ;*H •"d wood,, 
 time they reach the h\<mom7na n^ R^^ !^ """n"» *"* ^^ P'"*« •^••T 
 qadltj of wool. Dair^en wh^tl^e n^TL ° '""" ° V* "»'* P'"*"'^ • 6°* 
 • cheap foad for milk produotC Bnll^Hn i? Tl* JP^''^ ^""^ •"'«»>'y <>« »'- 
 Button. New York. giv^,^^Uot wmi fS^H^n* *° °' '>* "•"' '» Etperiment 
 •nd other forage puSte wrri i«,3 Y„ T- l!l5 * «?P«""««te In which laoerne 
 
 food, or the auiount of^rie iTtSe ro?' ''*';«'»'*»*"t«d for uom, other 
 deoroMe in the ooit of thfl^rir a ] '" ''*' increMed, there followed a 
 Ing of lo-me'to^Voh twTpioda^' mnl^^^^ '"*»'^^'*-' '»«' '^ 
 
 bat confined . Urge proportKf^ntteT f.t ?h«7'» °' ;!!!'^ '*? " ~"^-' 
 yellow color, of excinlingly fim texture ev«7i""l' ^*"« o^ • brfUUnt 
 containing • meet aromnSo fla^r " ' *^""°« '**" ••<>' ''"•^"^ •«<* 
 
 deterLrte^r^'ra'^dfr^^^^^^^^ '- '^^< 
 
 allowed to .tand until tLbComTof^^f °' ""^'"•*'^ *"*■ *^" ^«»»«^d I 
 have dropped off. leavina theTtirk. «^m„ "l;' ?T '""2;°' '»'« '«^«« will 
 have incStaed ~pidly and the „5?e?nTr k'^''^***?' ^''^ ''^^'^^ P*^ ''iJ' 
 oonaequently the digeSty wlT wrn!'''* PI^^""*"* ''i" have deSnsawd; 
 extent that it will & anrf^tTfld it !n ur"''^' f"^ P''"''''j^ *« ■»««> «" 
 log our digeation expenWf w^JJ i *! ^"'^'••ie" to any animal. Dur 
 laoerne haj that wTrnX^Sirth^J^Tu^r^ *Z' '**" ••»'^- •°'i"»ly on 
 the end of the fourth w^k Jne of th? Ini ' *!'** "*"'•?'* '"" ^^'^-o" i •^^i at 
 of the third stomach. ^M«? no L«h^^ 7*. ^*" *•''«" "'"^ witt, impact on 
 eaten. With proper tri^^nt ttl^'.& ***" '"^'ge-tible natnw of the food 
 -heep. fed for four'leek? onge; L^ earlt^nTr** "i?,' ''''^ **»« °^''«' '''« 
 further trouble. Some ripenfd lucSrn« ha« k!! • 5"u°' 1°**"'®' '^'*'ont »n^ 
 with «rioue results. InTne cl a va,^.^" '^^ ^/'^' /»™ depuknen'. 
 bowel.; • po«i mortem examinaUon .howpJ ft . n ^"^ °' "toppage of the 
 by a ball of indigestible fib" wS i^nLn^lA^ Pa«sage had been .topped 
 lucerne eaten. Although we have noTIJad f.fffli \^ ^*''''. '"''""^ '™'° '»»« 
 prove it conclusively. it%ould .^m .^hon^h ?^ °'"P^"'°'°^'«^''*«««^*» 
 ing in large quanti^ lucerne h^y that h.?L '!.'"/''** ?•"««' »° ^^^ 
 vanced .tagpi of maturity Fo? hf. r« a " """l' ^~'" '•"« P'*"' «»» ~J- 
 altogether ; but this is an extrfme Dosit o? M ?T ^V' ""^^''^ '"* »«» "»« 
 earlier stages of its growth *u7e?n«CK« *° **?^ '. ^o*". ''hen out in the 
 red clover or timothj ' **" ^^"^ '°°°'' ^ ^« " digestible as either 
 
 SoiLiNa Orop, 
 
 Hoy»l Agricultaral Society ReDorrviTirt::; " 
 
 •Hoy»l Agricultural Society ReporlTwriwriwr 
 
 
10 
 
 bloBsoming ; and as the sooner it ia cat, the aooner another crop will follow, 
 it ia better not to wait for the full f;rowth of the plant before commencing to 
 ase it By beginning early and cutting about one thirty-fifth of the plot 
 each day, so as to go over it every five weeka, a lucerne field will afford a con- 
 stant cut from the latter part of May until October, since by the end of each 
 five weeks the portion firat cut will be ready with another crop, Thia is one 
 of the beat uses that can be made of lucerne ; and, where at all possible, it 
 will be found very profitable to have at least a small plot of it near the farm 
 buildings for supplementary feeding, as all kinds of stock are fond of 
 It While all fodders deteriorate towards maturity, this is especially true of 
 lucerne. Thia was clearly brought out by W. L. Summerby, one of the '98 
 g-aduating class cf this college, who worked out an interesting thesis on "The 
 Nitrogen of Lucerne." For analysis a cutting was made t>ach week from the 
 time the plant was six iaches high uatil the blossom had fallen. The follow- 
 ing is an extract from one of Mr. Summerbj'a tables : 
 
 PROTKins or Ldoirnb. 
 
 Time of Cutting. ^^l "S?*- «.' 
 
 Crude Protein. 
 
 Ist Cutting ; 6 inches high 26.83 
 
 2ad •• buds forming 28.24 
 
 3rd " first flowers 18 80 
 
 4th " fullbloom [ 16;65 
 
 5th " blosBom falling 14.23 
 
 The above shows clearly that as the plant matures, the amount of crude 
 protein decreases, and, therefore, the nutritive value of the plant decreaaea. 
 The earlier the plant ia cut, the richer the food it makea. When we want the 
 maximum amount of digestible matter pei acre, other points have to be con- 
 aidered in determining at what atage of maturity the plant should be cut 
 Thia point will be disoossed later. 
 
 Ooupo 
 
 (a) i 
 growers i 
 obtain tfa 
 we undei 
 as affeotc 
 crop of 1 
 The first 
 nearly tn 
 and the 
 passed tb 
 first and 
 maturity, 
 back on tfa 
 weighed ai 
 digestion e 
 were made 
 cutting, th( 
 same plot ^ 
 a smaller a 
 gravelly loi 
 1894. 
 
 (b) Re 
 various cnti 
 
 YULD I 
 
 As A Hat Crop. 
 
 Owing to the large amount of water in green lucerne and to the thickneaa 
 of the stem, it ia aomewhat difficult to cure aa hay. Thia ia eapecially true of 
 the firat crop, which, besides containing a higher percentage of water than 
 the succeeding ones, ia usually ready for cutting while the ground is atill 
 damp from the apring raina, and before good hay weather has aet in. Aa ia 
 the caae with clovers, the leavea of lucerne b'eak off' very readily when dry ; 
 and, aa these are the most nutritious part of the plant, ihere ia likely to be' 
 conaiderable loas. The curing should, therefore, be done in the cock aa much 
 aa possible ; and, ao far as practicable, the raking and handling should be 
 done while the hay is a little " tough." The loss of the leaves will thua be 
 reduced to a minimum. It would be impofaible to give detailed directiona 
 for the curing of the hay, becauae conditions and weather vary ao much in 
 different parte of the province and different seasons. Much care and time 
 are necessary to make good hay, and experience and good judgment are 
 required. 
 
 iBt cutting : b 
 2nd " b 
 Srd " a 
 
 1st cutting J bi 
 2nd " "' bl 
 3rd •• ft 
 
 iBt cutting ; be 
 2nd •• bl( 
 Srd •« a 1 
 
 Very litt 
 which will, n( 
 fi^m the aeoo 
 
VVv 
 
 11 
 
 OoHPoamox o. Luckr.. .a Akkkcteo bv thb Staob ok Matcb.tv 
 
 Rrowi:i ^"olhfEeT/";^^^^^^^ opinion prevail, among 
 
 obtain the largest amfunt J ^f L, ' ^^'""^ ^°''®'"« «^<"»ld ^e cat to 
 we undertook a 8tu?v of thl «!''!• '°*'^'- ^° «°1^« *»»" q'^estion? 
 as affected by maturity Pnr J^r^""''"" *P^ digestibility of the plant 
 crop of lucerne "or hJ* season J Zr!!-^*"' T^ ^* '°^ *^« "^^^ 
 The first cutting was mad^wLn \i. [ !. *''^''''®'**' ^^8'««" <>' ripenesa. 
 nearly t,.o weeks iLT^hZH If bads were well formed ; the second, 
 and Ue thfrd nearly' anothe?''tw^"°°'^ Tf *^"* °°^'^»'d out 
 passed the fall bSing ° ta/e Thf^ ' ^*'*'' T*^^" '^« P^*^*^ »»»d 
 first and second croOT as neaX" « •ur*'" T« ^"""^ «"' both the 
 
 maturi.y. The crop TmrnedUtJ/J Sf T'-'*''^ *^ '^" «*«"« *bree stages of 
 
 back o/the groVnTkidTu'r^dt ^a'aKr* Z r^S\'' ''^" '''''' 
 wMgked and a samole taken 1^ ^.l„i i T ?' . """"' 'v "•> «g»i"> 
 diK^tioa experimS wS.'" tX:^ "fc ''« ™« ""ng ujed foAh, 
 TOW made from the same olot tli-k »!! ™'^ng« of each crop of thia jear 
 
 same plot was osed for tha -^-w j *">"«'in - -*» acre. Laceme from the 
 variol^Urn^.-^alfrSTthl^tSitrtS!'"^ «'- "■« ««"«'*« 
 
 Second crop, 1897. 
 Ist catting ; buds formed . . . 
 
 st^ u WMBomcne-thirdouV.* 
 «™ a little past full bloom 
 
 First crop, 1898. 
 
 ^•* co'ting; buds foraied 
 
 irA « bloMom one-third out . '. 
 Jrd a httie past full bloom 
 
 Second crop, 1898. 
 
 let cutting ; buds formed . . 
 
 a^A ,', WMsomonethirdont;; 
 »ra a little past full bloom 
 
 Green State. 
 
 lbs. 
 
 17,100 
 16,400 
 11,600 
 
 18,000 
 19,050 
 17,550 
 
 7.125 
 9,090 
 8,040 
 
 As Hay. 
 
 lbs. 
 
 3,761 
 4.493 
 3.902 
 
 8,682 
 6 001 
 4.681 
 
 2,234 
 2.947 
 2,604 
 
 Dry Matter. 
 
 lbs. 
 
 3.197 
 8,819 
 8,317 
 
 .%046 
 4,251 
 3,894 
 
 1,899 
 2,605 
 2,214 
 
 fromtheaecond c^ ., ,897. ,. .vl^'t^TtT j;;"ti.""la;Si't'J'£S'i;! 
 
12 
 
 green Btate, aa hay, and as dry matter, waa obtained from the second ontting, 
 whiob, it will be noticed, waa made when the planta were about one-third in 
 blossom. It is quite possible that the weight of the crop would have 
 increased for a few days longer ; but it is evident that by the time the plant 
 reaches full bloom or a little beyond, there is a marked decrease, which can be 
 at least partially accounted for by the large number of leaves which had fallen 
 off previous to the third cutting. Not only was the yield less in the third 
 cutting, but the percentages of the most valuable food constituents had also 
 decreased. This is shown in the following table : 
 
 PiBOBNTAOK Composition op Luckbnb Harvested at Ditfbrbnt Dates. 
 Calculated to water-free substanoee.* 
 
 Second crop, 1897. 
 
 l«t cutting ; buds formed 
 
 2nd " bloBBom one-third out . . 
 8rd " a little past full bluom . 
 
 First crop, 1898. 
 
 1st cutting J buds formed 
 
 2nd " bloMBom one-third out . . , 
 3rd '* a little past full bloom . . 
 
 Second crop, 1898. 
 
 1st cutting ; buds formed 
 
 2nd " blosRom onerthird out . . . 
 3rd •' a little past full bloom . . 
 
 ^ 
 
 a 
 
 S 
 
 c5 
 
 Averages of above. 
 
 Ist cutting i , 
 2nd cutting., 
 8rd cutting \ . 
 
 Averages of gome American analysis 
 of Ist and 2nd crops cut at similar 
 stages of Maturity. 
 
 Buds formed . . 
 Medium bloom 
 Full bloom ... 
 
 8.64 
 7.09 
 6.23 
 
 9.73 
 6.92 
 7.12 
 
 7.62 
 7.73 
 
 7.68 
 
 8.69 
 7.24 
 7 01 
 
 11.63 
 9.60 
 8.35 
 
 20.12 
 15.64 
 13.79 
 
 ■ > 
 
 20.45 
 14. 72 
 13.69 
 
 16.77 
 16.32 
 14.30 
 
 19.11 
 15.52 
 13.89 
 
 18.46 
 16.44 
 13.12 
 
 28.47 
 81.57 
 40.46 
 
 29.98 
 31.16 
 36.75 
 
 26.10 
 31.46 
 86.81 
 
 98.18 
 32.06 
 37.67 
 
 27.66 
 33. P8 
 37.64 
 
 .5 w 
 
 1£ 
 
 i 
 
 a 
 
 87.88 
 42 90 
 37.54 
 
 S5.S0 
 40.84 
 39.44 
 
 46.84 
 41.21 
 39.52 
 
 88.89 
 41.67 
 
 89.36 
 39 08 
 39.36 
 
 4.99 
 2.89 
 1.99 
 
 S.93 
 4.36 
 3.16 
 
 3.77 
 3.28 
 2.69 
 
 4.23 
 8.51 
 2.^1 
 
 8.06 
 2.40 
 1.94 
 
 8.73 
 4.62 
 2.88 
 
 ' 4.04 
 S.6» 
 3.6S 
 
 4.39 
 4.62 
 8.6ft 
 
 4.35 
 4.24 
 3.32 
 
 4.09 
 2.23 
 1.86 
 
 1* * *1"]J*1;,**'^S.°^ analysis will be found in the Chemical Department of the Ontario Akh- 
 cultural College Report for 1898. "ui-""" .»»« 
 
 (c) Explanation of terms.— Ash is the part of the fodder which remains 
 nncomnmed by burning to whiteneas at the^ lowest possible red heat. It is 
 essential to the formation of bone. Crude protein is the muscle formers col- 
 lectively, which includes both the albuminoids and amides. As protein is 
 the mott expensive part of a cattle food, a If rge amount of it in a fodder it 
 
 desirable 
 capable < 
 they are 
 in ether, 
 seed oil i 
 It is the 
 rogen Fn 
 Starch ai 
 
 It wi 
 
 the varioi 
 
 outt'ngs ^ 
 
 l^nalysis o 
 
 maturity < 
 
 oompo8iti( 
 
 per cent. < 
 
 rapidly. 
 
 decrease f 
 
 large exte 
 
 valuable c( 
 
 worthless ] 
 
 to the con 
 
 fodder. Ii 
 
 growth of I 
 
 Age of orud 
 
 as matnrit] 
 
 amides dec 
 
 and absolut 
 
 Table SI 
 
 Second 
 
 First cutting . 
 Second cuttini 
 Third cutting. 
 
 First 
 
 crc 
 
 First cutting. , 
 Second cutting 
 Third cutting. 
 
 Second en 
 
 First^outtiog... 
 Seooud cutting. 
 Third cutting.. 
 
v: 
 
 13 
 It i. the par. tjl? ^!n^U,^'Zlt^'^L'ZT °f " "*t?' 
 
 NbbD of DbTBRMININO THB DiaBSTIBILITY 
 
 ootting. will he found irthftobir ri«, rt! J "*° °°';'""'''™ °' '•■"• 
 
 Pr«er.-ei=r £ H^SHtT 
 
 vala.bl8ooi.Btiti.fiit forotoi^ i. jI™ • •■^'°' "»«°'^». then, ita moat 
 worthier part (ll iCT"\n" r^t ^;°« ^pST'^t"" '^ ,■""' 
 
 f^dtT^tt-iJ^TLisLxidS^^ 
 
 i..tnHt,.d^.i\te"^^!l:\rr™z^7„:vr:x 
 
 amides decreases. At the Ramn timo «r,.j„ au /r"*"'^: *« the amount of 
 
 «id .b.„,„te„. ThtB^iB'^rwr^Tri^X-fX:-;"?.^;:^ "'•"-•'' 
 
 T.bl. 3h.,to, tt. !.„.„, „, D.-.J« ,„^h. A„c.... „, c..d. P„«i„ „a 
 
 Second crop 1897 
 
 Pounds of 
 
 dry matter 
 
 per acre. 
 
 First cutting . . 
 Second cutting . 
 Third cutting.., 
 
 First crop 1898 
 
 First cutting. . . 
 Second cutting. 
 Third cutting. . 
 
 Second crop 1898 
 
 FirtfecUttin^.....'. 
 Seooad cutting,,, k 
 Third cutting...," 
 
 8.197 
 3,819 
 3,317 
 
 3,045 
 4,261 
 
 8,894 
 
 1,899 
 ;j.505 
 
 Per cent, 
 of crude 
 protein. 
 
 aru 
 
 29.12 
 15.54 
 13.79 
 
 20.46 
 14.72 
 18.59 
 
 16,77 
 16.32 
 
 lis© 
 
 Absolute 
 amount of 
 crude pro- 
 tein. 
 
 Per cent. 
 
 of crude. 
 
 fibre. 
 
 Absolute 
 amount of 
 crude fibre. 
 
 643.2 
 693.5 
 457.4 
 
 622.7 
 626.7 
 629.2 
 
 818 6 
 236. C 
 
 28.47 
 81.67 
 40.46 
 
 29 93 
 33.16 
 36.75 
 
 26.10 
 31.46 
 
 mat 
 
 910.2 
 1,206.6 
 1,342.1 
 
 912.9 
 1,409.6 
 1,431.4 
 
 9^.6 
 
 mi 
 
 798.'#^ 
 
 
14 
 
 It will be noticed that in two cases tbe absolute amount of ciude protein 
 increases with the second catting and that in one case it decreases slightly, 
 but that in every instance there is a decrease with the third catting, lie 
 absolute amount of crude fibre increases with each successive cutting, although 
 tbe total dry matter shows a marked decrease in the third cutting. It is 
 evident from the above figures that the second cutting of each crop yielded 
 the largest amount of dry matter and that here too, in two oases out of three, 
 we obtained the largest amount of crude protein. Jiut the crude fibre has 
 increased so rapidly that in order to decide whether ike crop has actually 
 increased in food value or not, it is necessary to determine the digestibility of 
 the constituents of the various cuttings ; for it is only the part of the food 
 which' is digested tbat has any nutritive value. 
 
 DiGBSTJBlLHY LUOKRNK AS AFFECTED BY THE StaGB OF MaTDBITT. 
 
 While the determination of the digestibility of the constituents of a 
 fodder by an animal may seem to be comparatively simple, it is surrounded 
 by many difficulties, which make the work tedious and tend to make the 
 results somewhat uncertain. Consequently the work requires to be done a 
 number of times before anything like reliable results can be obtained. We 
 have now made in all seven tests with each of the three different cuttings. 
 
 Differences in age, breed and species of ruminants make comparatively 
 slight differences in the proportions they digest from any given material. 
 The seventh annual, report of the S'orr's Agricultuial Eiperiment Station^ 
 Connecticut, has the following : " The results of digestion experiments in 
 Germany warrant the following general conclusions upon the itiflaenoe of 
 species, breed, etc., upon digestibility of feeding stuffs. 
 
 a. Influence of kind of Animal. — All ruminants, such as cows, oxen, 
 sheep and goats, seem to digest practically the same amount of protein, fat, 
 nitrogen-free extract and fibre from the same kind of food. In general, horses 
 digest less of the food constituents than do ruminants. This is especially true 
 of the fibre and fat in the hays and grasses. 
 
 b. Influence of Breed. — The influence of breed upon digestibility has 
 been studied with sheep, but no difference due to breed have been found. In 
 general, it is probably true that different breeds of animals of the same 
 species digest practically the same amounts of nutrients of the same foods. 
 
 c. Influence of Individual. — Individual differences have always been 
 observed. The variation is quite wide ; and, on this account, the results from 
 the inflnences of kinds and breeds of animals are somewhat obscured, varia- 
 tions in the amounts digested by different individual animals of the same 
 species and breed being wider than most variations in different species. 
 
 d. Influence of Age. — The few experiments conducted (principally with 
 sheep) indicate very little difference, if any, due to age. 
 
 From the above it will be seen that the digestibility of a fodder by a 
 sheep can be taken as a tolerably correct measure of its digestibility by a ooiT 
 or steer. In our work, sheep have been used, because they are much more 
 easily experimented with than larger animals. 
 
 Last yearbut one sheep was fed on each of the cii Jags of loGarae ; -thi» 
 year the experiment was made in triplicate, with three sheariing wethers that 
 followed through in succession the three dtfferet:t oattiogs of each orep. The^ 
 
VVv 
 
 Fig. 6. Showing harnea, and bag useJ in collecting 
 
 ing faeces. 
 
 ?fng position of the harness 
 
 [15] 
 
 bag on the sheep. 
 
 m 
 ■III 
 
 m 
 
 11 
 
16 
 
 iMt onttiogB of the two crops were parposely fed one after the other . see 
 what eflfeot thpy would have upon the digestive system of the animals, with 
 the result that was previously mentioned. 
 
 «. Plan of Experimenta. — A digestion experiment is asually condnoted as 
 foMows : Healthy animals in the prime of life are fed a weighed amount of food 
 of known composition, and in such a way as to prevent any possible waste. 
 The undigested lesiduer, which forms the solid excrement of the animal, is re- 
 ceived dire ctly into an appropriate bag attached to the animal. The excrement 
 is dried, weighed and a representative sample ground and analysed. From the 
 weight of the fodder fed and its percentage composition the weight of each con- 
 stituent fed can be calculated. In like manner, from the weight of the dried 
 excrement and its percentage compcsition, the weight of each constituent in 
 thf^ excrement can be determined. The difference between these two gives the 
 amount of each notrient which has been digOiited and resorbed during the pas- 
 sage of the food through the alimentary canal. The urine, containing solid 
 bodies representing the waste of the animal organism, does not require to be 
 analysed for the simple control of the digestive activities outlined above. 
 
 In this year's work each animal was placed in a pen which was about 
 foui feet (Square. The manger was arranged on the outside of the pen, with 
 stanchions on the inside in which the animal's head was placed while feeding, 
 thus effectually preventing any loss of food by scattering. No more of the 
 fodder was fed than the animal would eat up without a particle of waste. A 
 rubber-lined bag for collecting the fseces was attached to the aninial by means 
 of a suitable harness. 
 
 Each experiment lasted thirteen days and was divided into two parts. 
 The first seven days were given to preliminary feeding, so that all traces of 
 previous food might be removed from the system ; the next six days formed 
 the experiment proper, during which the solid excrement was carefully col- 
 lected, being removed from the bags twice a day and placed on the drying 
 pan. The results of this work will be found in the following table, which 
 gives the number of pounds of each constituent digested, for every 100 
 pounds fed. For example: From 100 lbs. of protein fed 73.4 lbs. were 
 digested in the first catting, 72.8 in the second, and 64.4 in the third. These 
 figures are what are known as digestion co-efficients, or the percentage diges- 
 tibility of the constituents of the fodder. Each of the results in the table 
 represents the average of seven digestion experiments j one of which was con- 
 ducted with the second crop of bicerne in 1897, three with the first crop of 
 lucerne in 1898, and three with the second crop of 1898. 
 
 /. Results ot Bxperinienl. — Di^stion co-efficients, or the number of 
 pounds digested out cf every 100 lbs. of each constituent fed. 
 
 AVERAOB OF 
 
 TBE 8BVKRAL CUTTINGS. 
 
 
 
 Dry 
 
 Matter. 
 
 Crude 
 Protein. 
 
 Grade 
 Fat. 
 
 Nitrogen 
 free Extract. 
 
 Gruda 
 Fibre. 
 
 Fir#» cutting 
 
 58.6 
 6H.2 
 61..} 
 
 73.4 
 
 ^B B 
 
 71.8 
 70.1 
 64.0 
 
 99.1 
 37.7 
 37.1 
 
 Second cutting 
 
 72.8 Kn <* 
 
 Third cutting 
 
 64.4 
 
 44.1 
 
 Fr( 
 
 In the d 
 
 appears 
 
 cutting 
 
 there is 
 
 than pr< 
 
 valuabh 
 
 aahasb 
 
 constitu 
 
 should t 
 
 of the V 
 
 tibility. 
 
 dry mat 
 
 were ab( 
 
 period tl 
 
 that thic 
 
 natrienti 
 
 Tab 
 
 per acre. 
 
 Second cro 
 Fint c 
 Seconc 
 Third I 
 
 First crop, 
 Firatc 
 Second 
 Third < 
 
 Second croi 
 Fint 01 
 Second 
 Third c 
 
 ThTi 
 
 digestible 
 
 growing ci 
 
 made two 
 
 would hav 
 
 mentioned 
 
 the crop si 
 
 There 
 
 tween the 
 
 crops, wei 
 
 one-fifth, 
 
 decrease in 
 
 comes on v 
 
 stock to eai 
 
 whether in 
 
 later than I 
 
 2 (B. Ill) 
 
17 
 
 cutting than dnrins that betirefn th«'^lLf between the aeoond and third 
 
 there U a more rapid S^r^Twrdiie^^^^^^^ T^ ** ' ,°\1" '^^*»'* '^"«»-' 
 
 than prevloas to that A^?r^« J*f k!^. ^ *![ '*•*. ^^'^ blossoming stage 
 
 valuable coEst tuents'and tErmore ^LThT' *^'*.P^"'' **"" "''*'" »' *« *«» 
 as has been poin^ ouCJ the nLf SS«il Ik '*!!", °°°»*i'««°«- Ba», 
 constituents incieasaB ThereforrlSln " **'*, ***'°''i'* •"°°°' »' '^^^e 
 
 of the valuable constUue^U^n be «otl L„?f *^ largest possible amount 
 tibility. It ha, been sho;;?hatl«every .^ tb°^ Ci '^ -T"" ^ ^'^^^ 
 dry matier was obtained at the tine of 2co^ !aUii^*„* T "^ T'^^' 
 were about one-third in blossom t«k«? cu"'ng, or when the plants 
 
 period there is a more raSd^^^^^ S^^'* .'»"»* ««*«' *"« 
 
 that this is about the tZ whTXr^ liThe itLf^'°"' *5 ^?°1*? "PP^" 
 nutrients present. This is bor^e ^h^Xh^'^^nZT °' "«"'*''* 
 
 -»&^ - - yield 
 
 Second crop, 1897 : 
 
 First cuttin|:, buds formed 
 
 Second cutting, bloegom on^-tbird out " 
 Third cutting, a little paBi; full bloom. . 
 
 First crop, 1898 : 
 
 First cutting, buds formed . . . 
 
 Second cutting, blossom one-third ou 6 !.' 
 
 Third cutting, a htUe past full bloom . . 
 
 Second crop, 1808 : 
 
 First outtinp, buds formed. . . 
 
 Second cutting, blossom one-third'ont!.' 
 
 Third cutting, a litUe past full blorm 
 
 Dry Matter. 
 Lbs. 
 
 Digestion 
 Co^fScient. 
 
 3.197 
 3.819 
 3,317 
 
 3,016 
 4,i-.il 
 
 3,8S:t 
 
 1,899 
 2,605 
 2,214 
 
 68.6 
 66.2 
 61.3 
 
 68.6 
 662 
 51.3 
 
 68.6 
 66.2 
 61.3 
 
 Digestible 
 
 Matttr. 
 
 Lbs. 
 
 1,873 
 2,14t) 
 1,701 
 
 1.784 
 2,389 
 1,997 
 
 1,112 
 1,407 
 1,1'35 
 
 crop.. «,aad th..auTor°^Z„„nU,°^'?«"™'^°'.*''' *'***'"'' 
 2 (B. Ill) * ■ 
 
 i\ 
 
 I 
 
18 
 
 C0MPABI80» OF THB FkKDINO VaLDB OF LUOBRNK, RkD CloVKR, AND TiMOTHT. 
 
 It IB intereBting to compare the composition of lucerne hay with that of 
 
 I!;M-7if'"*°'*.'*'"°'''y'^'**'**"°P^*'"8 *="'•' the time when it apparently 
 yieJda the maximum amount of diRestible matter. The following table civea 
 
 the percentage composition of the hayg all figured to the same per cent of 
 
 of the ha fcd^ °*'''°'**®'* amounts of the several constitaents digested per ton 
 
 Percentage Oomposition of Lacerne, Red Clover and Timothy Hay. 
 
 Lucsrr.e 
 
 Red Clover. 
 Timothy. . . . 
 
 Amounta digested per ton of 
 bay fed. 
 
 Lucerne., . 
 Red Olover. 
 Timothy.... 
 
 
 16.00 
 15.00 
 15.00 
 
 II 
 
 86.00 
 85.00 
 85 00 
 
 96f 40 
 974 95 
 920 21 
 
 a 
 
 J 
 o 
 u 
 
 &4 
 
 13.20 
 
 11.47 
 
 6.03 
 
 193.19 
 
 14103 
 
 4867 
 
 ^ 
 
 2.98 
 2.0* 
 1.70 
 
 30 04 
 29. .S8 
 16.16 
 
 2 w 
 
 
 ii6.42 
 41.31 
 46 22 
 
 27 26 
 2 :.C.l 
 23 31 
 
 496.68 205.46 
 687.42 " 209.86 
 628.44 I 30G.88 
 
 U3 
 
 43 
 
 6.16 
 fi.66 
 3.72 
 
 Aocoiding to the above ti^uree, the olover hay coutains iho must digea- 
 tible matter ; but one ton of lucerne hay will contain about one-third more 
 digestible protein than the same weight of clover hay, and nearly four times 
 as mush as a ton of timothy hay. In digestible nitrogen-free-extract and 
 crude fibre it is lower than either of the other two. 
 
 R Warrington, F. R S., in his book on •« The Chemistry of the Farm." 
 has the following on the comparative nutritive value of difierent foods : "The 
 only basis on which the nutritive value of foods of different coiuposition can 
 be compared is in respect to their capacity for producing heat. The prodno- 
 tion of heat and mechanical work is the principal result which food accomp- 
 lishea in the animal body ; the capacity for producing heat is also intimately 
 related to the capacity for producing fat. On the other hand, the amount of 
 heat which any food is capable of producing stands in no relation to its power 
 of increasing or renewing the nitrogenous tissues of the body. We may, how- 
 ever, safely assert that the amount of heat generated by the combustion of the 
 digestible constituents of any food will be a fair guide to its nutritive value, 
 when the diet of which it forms a part supplies a sufficient amount of diges- 
 tible albunimoids, and this will be the case whenever foods are skillfully em- 
 ployed." If, then, these three fodders be compared upon the basis of their 
 ability to produce heat or energy, they will bear the following relationship 
 to one another i—Red Clover 100, Lucerne 91, and Timothy 86. If, how- 
 ever, allowance be made for the large amount of protein or flesh producing 
 material, in the lucerne, it will easily rank first as a food for young and grow- 
 ing stosk. As has been stated, lucerce usually gives larger returns per acre 
 than either red olover or timothy ; and when this is considered along with the 
 above facts regarding its nutritive value, it will be obvious that Inoerne will 
 be a valuable addition to our list of fodder crops. 
 
 The I 
 
 I. Tl 
 both in fo 
 
 II. 1 
 the propel 
 
 II f. 
 matter wa 
 blossom tl 
 
 IV. ' 
 percentage 
 
 V. T 
 digestible 
 
 VI. 1 
 been made 
 
 VII. 
 ates after | 
 saved, it yi 
 addition to 
 
 At the 
 
 was drawn 
 
 pasturing o 
 
 it was thouj 
 
 similar ex pi 
 
 number of i 
 
 time, and t 
 
 tions, askinj 
 
 crop, as a 8 
 
 lucerne as a 
 
 had used it i 
 
 under either 
 
 lucerne as hi 
 
 from pasturi 
 
 same precaui 
 
 I desin 
 the Experin 
 wish to state 
 Ph, D.j fihifif 
 Figures 4 am 
 
the oloTeri, 
 
 19 
 C0NCLU8IOM8. 
 
 rTlr??'"* reanltB lead us to th« following conclusioQB • 
 
 both in lod InA ^'""P"""^'' °' '-"^rne i- very similar to thato! 
 Docn m food and id ash constituents 
 
 .t., S p«Vl"trif btefir'i''"^ .1'"'.''''* '"«"» <'«'»™'- 
 
 M»»d. it .ieM. .ri™. ^ WoMommg stage, the fact that, when oroDfrlv 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 was dIainVo'ThVfiJt'ttt iTr ^1 ".*?* ^°^ °^ *»•« '^^P"'"-* 
 
 pasturing on lucerne. Tere?ore Te?ore alliwi °!t *7 ,?^?*^'« ""'^^ ''^'i^e 
 it was thought advisable to aStat whel/ 1 ^.f '*'? *° «" *° ?'«"• 
 Bimilar experience. Accordingly a drcularWti?^ °*''^' '"«>«" h»d had 
 number of farmers of our own ^nmv n?J i., u ""*' Prepared and sent to a 
 time, and to the Directors oT a Ken'mbB°r Ta «''°-^" ^^^^ '°^ "*"°«- 
 tions. asking them what had beL th^ir e?p, LneL "tTf" ^'P^""^'^* St*. 
 crop, as a soiling crop, and a hav cron^ wl? '^^ ^''°"°® *« » Pasture 
 lucerne as a soiling crSp reported LTS^noi^-^'-Zr^ ""^^ ^^'^ '•»5 used 
 had used it for hav or L«f n^f » J^ ^ ""'* "* '** '*^<""» comparatively few 
 
 under either of Z:\ZT\t'e::rtSTXr^'i ^^ '/^''' '^''^^^y 
 lucerne as hay or pasture liked rvAruJ^nT f ^^"^ ^""^ Experience with 
 from pasturing it tha^frorpa 1^7'^'''^ '""P^'*?'^ no more trouble 
 same precautions were taken P""'"""* •^*°'' S'^^^^g clover, provided the 
 
 ! y 
 
 ^ cknowledgementa. 
 
 the L*Sen'.S%°eL2e„f falh^ 'I' f*.""™ "«"'«" "<">■