LEGUMINOUS PLANTS FOR FORAGE 233 



unsatisfactory soilage; the animals cannot then consume enough to 

 secure the nourishment they require. 



Hunt of the Illinois Station 22 has arranged the result of studies of 

 the medium red clover plant, made by himself and Jordan at the Penn- 

 sylvania Station, to show the yield per acre at various stages of growth. 



Yield and nutrients in an acre of medium red clover 



Yield of Carbohydrates 



Stage of growth when cut hay Crude N-free 



... . . TT per acre Ash protein Fiber extract Fat 



Illinois, Hunt Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. 



Full bloom 3,600 217 400 660 1,052 197 



Heads three-fourths dead 3,260 196 379 672 1,024 156 



Pennsylvania, Jordan 



Heads in bloom 4,210 260 539 1,033 1,731 116 



Some heads dead 4,141 226 469 1,248 1,379 106 



Heads all dead 3,915 208 421 1,260 1,378 94 



The table shows that when cut at full bloom the clover crop yielded 

 the largest amount of hay per acre, and also contained more ash, crude 

 protein, nitrogen-free extract, and fat. The fiber, or woody matter, 

 which is the least valuable portion of the plant, was the only nutrient 

 which increased after full bloom. The loss of other nutrients after 

 blooming was due to the withering and dropping of the. lower leaves 

 and probably to a leaching of soluble nutrients by rains. This shrink- 

 age of nutrients as clover matures is similar to that in the smaller 

 grasses (313), and is in marked contrast to the continued storage of 

 nutrients up to full ripening in Indian corn. (23) 



The table clearly points to full bloom as theoretically the best date 

 for cutting clover hay. Practical experience, however, places the time 

 somewhat later, or when about one-third of the blossom heads have 

 turned brown. This is because at any earlier date the plant is so soft 

 and sappy that only with difficulty can it be cured into good hay. De- 

 laying until all the heads are dead makes haying still easier, but means 

 poor, woody, unpalatable hay. 



347. Clover for hay. Well-cured clover hay, bright and with leaves 

 intact, is a most excellent roughage for all farm stock. Tho dusty 

 clover hay is to be avoided for feeding horses, that of good quality is 

 successfully and economically used with both farm and city horses. (505) 

 Mixed clover and timothy hay is preferred by many to clear clover hay 

 for horse feeding since it usually is more free from dust. 



No investigations of the experiment stations in animal husbandry 

 have been more helpful than those showing the great value of the 

 legumes, including clover hay, for fattening cattle and sheep. By add- 

 ing clover hay to the ration, the grain requirement can be materially 

 reduced and the fattening period shortened both matters of great im- 

 portance whenever concentrates are high in price. (764, 857-9) For the 

 cow, clover hay is unexcelled as a roughage, unless by alfalfa. Not 



"111. Bui. 5. 



