190 AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 



It remains green, with all the leaves upon the hay, just as it 

 came from the scythe. (A. Y. Moore.) The same may be 

 accomplished more rapidly, though perhaps not quite as per 

 fectly, by allowing the clover to lie in swathe just long enough 

 to wilt, and be warmed through. Then put in small cocks, and 

 leave two days, if the weather is dry and hot, longer if cloudy 

 or damp ; air before hauling, and salt as directed for grass-hay. 

 We have followed this plan for many years with great success. 

 The clover is not quite dry when put in the shed, but the salt 

 prevents any injury. We prefer it to be damp enough to melt 

 the salt, and partially heat. 



422. In the United States clover appears to be free from any 

 peculiar enemies or diseases. In Europe it suffers from sev 

 eral. 



In some of the Eastern States, a caterpillar has been found in large 

 numbers spinning its webs over the clover, but it does not appear to be 

 very injurious, nor is the species accurately determined. (Harris? 

 Treatise, 2nd ed. p. 354 J 



But in both continents, the land sometimes fails to produce 

 clover when sown, a condition known by the name of Clover 

 Sickness. While Agricultural Chemistry was unstudied, this 

 peculiarity was the cause of much wonder and many disputes. 

 It is now well known to be owing to the deficiency of the soil 

 in one or more of the inorganic constituents requisite for clover; 

 and can be cured by special manures ; by sowing it at longer 

 intervals; or by using a different rotation of crops. To this 

 cause may also be attributed the dying out of clover after hav 

 ing partially attained its growth, which sometimes occurs in 

 over-cropped wheat lands. Seed still retaining its chaff, or out 

 ward covering, is supposed to be less subject to failure than 

 when clean, which is probably true. Where Red Clover is apt 

 to be destroyed in winter, by the frost raising the roots out of 

 the ground, it may be partially or wholly prevented either by 



