138 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



1,500 pounds of dried roots. In November following, after the 

 field had produced a crop of seed, further careful experiments 

 showed 3,000 pounds to the acre. 



Taking, then, the improvement in soil, the crop of hay, and 

 the seed, a clover crop will often prove more profitable than a 

 grain crop. The seed crop should not be allowed to stand too 

 long, or much of it will be lost by the heads breaking off. It 

 should be left by the reaper in bunches large enough for a 

 good forkfull; and the less it is handled the better, as each 

 handling causes waste. The better plan is to thresh from the 

 field, as it can not be stacked so as to shed water, and is so 

 dusty as to be very unpleasant to handle in the barn. I think 

 it will pay many farmers who do not grow it as a money 

 crop to grow their own seed. A few acres can be grown and 

 tramped off with horses, and sown in the chaff. I have never 

 had a better stand than when I have sown in this way. 



I think it advisable for farmers to grow their own seed, not 

 only for the sake of economy, but from the fact that often the 

 seed bought contains the seeds of troublesome weeds which will 

 prove a pest to the farm, or it may be old and worthless. I 

 can not tell how long clover-seed retains its vitality, but dear- 

 bought experience leads me to advise farmers not to sow old 

 seed. I think old seed can usually be distinguished from new 

 by its color, the new seed appearing bright and glossy, while the 

 old has a dull appearance. Often old seed will be mixed 

 with new, or the seed may be adulterated with sand or stone, 

 ground and sifted to the size of clover seed. These mixtures 

 and adulterations are difficult to detect with the naked eye, but 

 by the aid of a small magnifying glass they can easily be seen. 

 I would advise the farmer to always carry with him one of 

 these small glasses. I prefer the kind called linen glass or 

 linen tester, as they are made with hinges to fold flat and when 

 closed one of them occupies but little more room than a nickel, 

 and can be carried in the purse or vest pocket. The magnifying 

 power of this glass is sufficient to make a clover seed look as 

 large as a pea, and will readily indicate whether the seed is 

 mixed or adulterated. 



