“The proportion of ear corn to stover increased regularly with the increased application of water.
“The percentage of grain in the wheat crop increased with increased irrigations.
“The yield of wheat increased up to thirty inches of water.
“Crops in an arid district require a greater number of pounds of water for one pound of dry matter than in humid climates.”
The experiments cited do not include alfalfa, yet the results with other crops would indicate that the percentage of protein in alfalfa hay may be less where the crop is grown by irrigation than where it is grown by dry-land farming. The composition of the hay, however, will depend upon the quantity of water supplied to the crop and not upon the method; that is, alfalfa which receives as much natural rainfall as other alfalfa would receive by irrigation, would be similarly affected in composition, and from the experiments with grains reported in the bulletin noted, it would appear that with the application of large quantities of water the percentage of protein is decreased; yet, the yield is increased, and although the feeding value of the crop may be a little less, the quantity may be greater, due to large applications of water.
WIDE VARIATIONS IN CONTENT
Professor Ten Eyck compiled from their station bulletins the following figures on the composition of alfalfa hay in four different states:
| Bulletin Number | Protein | Carbo- hydrates | Fat | Number of Analyses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Cent | Per Cent | Per Cent | |||
| New Jersey | 148 | 15.84 | 38.97 | 3.82 | 2 |
| Colorado | 39 | 17.36 | 36.71 | 1.65 | 9 |
| Utah | 61 | 9.22 | 43.25 | .97 | 29 |
| Kansas | 114 | 11.89 | 41.03 | .66 | 3 |
On this showing he remarks:
“Although it was not definitely stated, I take it that the Colorado and Utah hay were grown by irrigation, while the New Jersey and Kansas hay received no irrigation. It will be observed that while the percentages of protein and fat in the Utah samples are low, the percentage of carbohydrates is high; yet the Colorado samples grown under irrigation show a larger percentage of protein and fat than the Kansas samples grown without irrigation. The crude protein often varies in quantity according to the stage of maturity of the alfalfa when it is cut for hay, as shown by experiments at the Kansas station, and described in Bulletin No. 114.