254 Practical Farming 



square, or three by four, with eyelets in the comers through 

 which sticks can be stuck to prevent the wind from blowing 

 them off. But during all bright sunshine the cocks should 

 remain uncovered. As soon as you can take a handful of 

 the hay and give it a hard twist and can see no sap run to 

 the twist, the hay is ready to go into the barn. It is im- 

 portant to get it there before the leaves get crisp, as in that 

 case they will be shattered off and they are the best part 

 of the hay. Put it into the bam then while still Hmp and 

 let it settle in the mow by its own weight and without any 

 tramping that can be avoided. Once in the barn, let it 

 strictly alone, for if it begins to heat, as it will, and you 

 stir it, you will let in the spores of mold that are always 

 in the air and will have some moldy hay. Let it 

 alone and it will cure bright and sweet and you will not 

 have dusty hay if the crop was mown at the right stage, 

 when just in full bloom. Clover hay should always be 

 stored under cover, as it damages badly in stacks. 



This clover has been assumed to be a 



Alsike or qxo^^ between red and white clover, but 



Swedish - . ,. , - r ^ ' T 1 



Clover there is no direct evidence of this. It has 



seemed to thrive better than red clover in 



some sections, but is better adapted to northern than 



Southern conditions and will thrive on land too wet and 



sour for red clover. It has been found to be a dangerous 



crop for horses and mules to pasture on, as it produces 



sores on the animals that give a great deal of trouble. It 



does not make the heavy growth for hay that red clover 



does, but is probably a good crop for soil improvement 



where red clover fails from lack of drainage in the land. 



As a hay crop it is of minor importance. 



