360 FIELD CROPS 



of succeeding crops depends in large measure on Uk) prompt- 

 ness of cutting at the proper time and of removing the hay 

 when it is cut. A httle delay at each cutting may mean the 

 loss of an entire crop in the course of the season. 



The methods of curing alfalfa hay do not differ from those 

 of curing clover hay. It is very desirable that the hay be 



Figure 123. — Hay caps are useful in obtaining the best quality of hay. They 

 prevent injury from rain and aid in saving a large proportion of the 

 leaves of clover or alfalfa. 



cured with as little loss of leaves as possible, and that it be 

 green rather than brown when cured. This means that a 

 large part of the curing must be done in the windrow or 

 cock. Alfalfa should not be left in the swath exposed to the 

 sun and wind for more than a few hours unless weather ton- 

 ditions make it absolutely necessary. 



After the hay is cured, it may be put into the barn or 

 stack with the ordinary hay tools. This is the usual practice 

 in the East, but in the West it is commonly stacked with the 

 sweep rakes or ''go-devils" in common use there. With 

 these tools, several hundred pounds of hay are gathered in 

 bunches and brought to the stacks without the use of wagons. 

 These stacks are usually scattered over the fields to obviate 



