148 



ELEMENTAEY AGKICULTUEE 



crop is often cut for seed. In order to obtain the 

 best hay, clover should be harvested just after it has 



Fig. 79. A hand dump rake. 



come to full bloom. Hay cut later is not so good. 



Careful Handling. In harvesting the clover crop, 

 it should reach the barn or stack with the least 

 handling and exposure.' If it is allowed to become 

 too dry in handling, the leaves will crumble and 

 fall off, and they are the best part of the hay. 



Curing Clover Hay. Clover hay should be well 

 cured in the sun, or it will heat and spoil in the 

 stack or mow. Some farmers cut it in the afternoon, 

 and after the dew is off the next morning it is 

 tedded, raked, and put in the cock before night 

 (Figs. 79, 80, 81, and 82). 



Uses of Clover. Eed clover is used for hay and 

 for pasture. It is often used as a green-manure crop 

 to be plowed under if the ground is poor in humus. 

 Even where it is cut for hay, the stubble and roots 



