Show USE SPECIAL CARE IN CURING ALFALFA if crop has been cut and still green best not to turn it while wet with rain particular care should be used in curing alfalfa under adverse weather conditions asserts R ac bonnett instructor tor in crops in the kansas state agricultural college it alfalfa haa just been cut and is still green it Is best not to turn it when wet by rain it should be left in the swath until favorable weather conditions pr call providing hay has dried enough on top it should be turned preferably with a side delivery rake and allowed to dry in the windrow allow the surface to become dry before turning the alfalfa under and keep turning until all the hay Is dry are arc important points to observe it if hay has bus been bunched and is wet by rain open up the tha bunches as soon as the top is dry and allow sun and wind to blow through tin 0 ugh it under the weather neather conditions of the last few weeks shock big hay is good practice slake small shocks that will turn water leave until favorable favorat le weather conditions prevail before putting in mow or stack some of the most progressive farmers use shock covers but for the average farmer th alio 0 orla inal cost of those these and the work required for their proper use is prohibit tin tm V for hay to be safe acx fc r storage la in mow the moisture content must be reduced to at least 20 per cent this point can be determined by taking a small wip of hay lay and twisting if no moisture comes out and it breaks readily it can be safely stored probably more alfalfa hay iss Is stacked in kansas than is stored in sheds and it Is important that the stack be constructed ted properly in building a circular stack the sides should be given a fairly prominent bulge and the middle should be well tramped as more liay hay Is lost through poorly packed centers than in any other way the top should be fairly well rounded and when settled should show good form if some marsh hay or slough can be secured it is advisable to cover with this in order to shed water and to prevent excessive losses during rainy weather and before the stack is well settled |