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Show TIPS ON FARMING (U. S. Department of Agriculture) Many alfalfa growers'," who cut the hay at full bloom or in the early pod-stage pod-stage of maturity a practice especially especi-ally common in the North Central and Rocky Mountain states could , produce pro-duce hay of better quality if they would cut it when 1-10 to 1-4 in bloom or when new growth starts from the crowns, irrespective, of the bloom. This would advance the time of cutting a week or so for the first cutting and increase the seasonal tonnage ton-nage because of the longer period given to subsequent cuttings. Large quantities of late-cut alfalfa are marketed annually in the United States and most of this type of hay grades only U. S. No. 2 or 3 because of insufficient leaves or lack of color. Late-cut alfalfa also has hard and somewhat woody stems, which,- - 'although 'al-though not very objectionable to horse or stock-cattle feeders, are not wanted by dairymen who are the chief buyers of alfalfa hay. |