RED CLOVER 389 



if the latter be moist so as to stimulate much vegetative 

 growth. PammePs investigations in Iowa did not, how- 

 ever, disclose any definite relations between the character 

 of the soil and the number of seeds to a head. Sunshiny, 

 warm days at blooming time insure a greater abundance 

 of pollinizing insects, and these are absent in cold, wet 

 weather. 



Where the first crop is cut for hay, the time of cutting 

 may affect markedly the subsequent seed crop. Clover 

 hay is usually cut when the first heads turn brown, but the 

 belief is general that the seed crop is apt to be better if the 

 hay crop is cut a little before full bloom, as this makes the 

 second growth stronger. 



Where the season is not long enough to secure both a 

 hay crop and a seed crop, as in the northern tier of states, 

 it is a common practice to pasture the field or to clip it 

 back in June, so as to bring the seed crop in September. 

 It is claimed that by this means better yields of seed are 

 obtained. Among the advantages supposed to be secured 

 are : 1. A more even ripening of the crop ; 2. A more 

 favorable season for blooming and seed setting ; 3. Lessen- 

 ing of injury by the clover midge and the clover chalcis; 

 4. A smaller growth, which is not likely to lodge and is 

 more easily handled. Experimental data on this subject 

 are lacking. 



Prolonged rains at harvest time seem to be the cause 

 of many of the seeds turning brown. Seeds that have 

 turned brown with age do not germinate nearly as well as 

 yellow or violet-tinged seeds. 



460. Harvesting the seed crop. Red clover for seed 

 should be cut when the heads have all turned brown, and 

 the seeds are firm and shining. Cutting in the soft dough 

 stage results in shriveled seed. If the seeds are allowed 



