154 THE FORAGE AND FIBER CROPS IN AMERICA 



ject to a fungows disease (Entomophthora sphaerospcrma Fresu.) which is 

 effective in holding it in check. 



The clover midge, which is closely allied to the Hessian fly (C. A. 152), 

 lays its eggs in the flower heads. The eggs hatch into yellow or orange 

 maggots and later do damage by living within the developing seeds. There 

 are sometimes two broods produced in a season. Early cutting of the first 

 crop is recommended. 



164. Harvesting Hay. Red clover produces two crops -an- 

 nually. The second crop is quite variable, depending on the 

 season, the rainfall being the controlling element. Since fre- 

 quently the second crop does not pay for cutting, it is desirable 

 to be able to pasture the aftermath of clover meadows. In 

 some localities the second crop is considered with disfavor, 

 except as a seed crop; in others it is used with good results. 

 Probably the second crop is usually cut when too ripe, reducing 

 both palatability and digestibility, and by reason of the contained 

 seed causing "slobbers" or other unfavorable effects. 



At the Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut stations, the 

 largest yields of dry matter and protein were obtained when the 

 heads were in full bloom or just past that stage. There was a 

 material increase in crude fiber as the plant ripened. 1 From all 

 the evidence at hand, the best time to cut red clover appears to 

 be when about one-third the heads have begun to turn brown. 



(36) 



Clover is more difficult to cure than timothy or the grasses 

 generally, because (i) in the first crop as favorable weather 

 for curing does not exist; (2) the plant is more succulent, 

 contains a higher percentage of water; (3) when placed in piles 

 it absorbs the rain more readily; and (4) the leaflets and flower 

 heads are more easily broken off in handling than the leaf 

 blades and spikelets of grasses. Moreover, clover hay is more 

 likely to become dusty when rained upon or when improperly 

 cured than in the case of grasses. The greatest care and skill, 

 therefore, are required to cure clover properly. (37) No 



i Illinois Sta. Bui. No. 5 (1889). 



