106 



ELEMENTS OF FARM PRACTICE 



is usually from about June 15th to July 1st. Never cut 

 hay while the dew is on it, for time is lost in the drying. 

 The dew will dry off more quickly while the hay is standing. 

 Curing. — If clover is cut in the forenoon of a bright 

 day, it should be turned over, with either a rake or a tedder, 

 b^ore any of the top leaves become dry. The object 

 sought in curing clover hay should be to keep the leaves 

 green as long as possible, as they help to draw the moisture 

 out of the large stems, which are the difficult part to cure 



Figure 46. — A modern hay loader saves time and labor. 



If it gets dry enough the first day, so that a good job of 

 raking can be done, rake it before night; if not, ted it, if 

 possible, so as to get the green hay from the bottom on top 

 to take the dew, as dew will blacken partly cured clover. 

 If it looks like rain, cock the hay as soon as possible; if 

 not, leave it in the windrow. The next morning as soon 

 as the top part of the hay is nearly dry, rake, or, if raked, 

 turn the windrow over either by hand with a fork or with 

 the team and rake. Aim to keep the hay loose in the 

 windrow, so that the air can pass through it freely. The 

 leaves are largely protected from the hot sun in this way, 



