Sweet Clovek T79 



pods at this time, but the field will have a brownish cast. If the 

 crop is not cut until the late blooms mature, a large percentage of 

 the seed will be lost from shattering. The seed crop may be cut 

 with a grain binder or a self-rake reaper. 



When a grain binder is used, a tin or galvanized-iron pan the 

 width of the elevators should be placed underneath the opening 

 between the platform and lower elevator. A similar pan should 

 be placed under the lower end of the binder deck. These pans, 

 with the assistance of extensions to the elevator frame and binder 

 deck and a gaiard jilaced at the lower end of the table, will save 

 at least 90 per cent of the seed that would otherwise be lost from 

 shattering. The extensions to the elevator frame and binder deck 

 may be made of tin or galvanized iron and should be so wide that 

 the plants will not extend beyond them. The shape of these exten- 

 sions should be such that the seed which shatters and falls upon 

 them will be directed into the pans. The guard at the lower end of 

 the binder deck should be placed in such a position that the seed 

 which shatters on the deck will be directed by it into the pan below. 

 The front end of the pan below the opening between the platform 

 and elevators should be protected so that the stubble will not strike 

 it. The bundles should be placed in shocks immediately after 

 cutting, but not capped. If the crop cannot be threshed within ten 

 days after cutting, it should be stacked after being in the shock 

 two or three days. 



When the self-rake reaper is employed, the plants should be 

 permitted to remain in the bunches as dropped by the machine 

 until threshed. 



The seed crop should be cut when the plants are damp from 

 rain or dew so as to avoid as much shattering as possible. Only 

 wagons with tight or covered platforms should be used for hauling 

 the plants from the field to the threshing machine, as much seed 

 will be lost from shattering if this is not done. 



Sweet clover may be threshed with a grain separator or a large- 

 sized clover huller. When a grain separator is used, the riddles 

 should be adjusted, the speed of the fan reduced about one-half^ 

 and several rows of smooth concave teeth replaced by corrugated 

 teeth. 



