390 FORAGE PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE 



to ripen, there is no loss by shattering, but the heads 

 break off very easily. If the clover has become riper than 

 stated, much loss of heads can be prevented by mowing 

 in the early morning when wet with dew. 



Mowing may be accomplished in several different ways. 

 A self -rake reaper is very satisfactory. An ordinary mower 

 with a bunching attachment (Fig. 42) that throws the 

 bunches of clover to one side so that they may not be 

 trampled upon, is also excellent. Heading machines 

 which cut tho straw high are sometimes used, and these 



are particularly de- 

 sirable, as they econo- 

 mize labor and cut 

 much less straw to be 

 thrashed. 



Red clover is most 

 commonly harvested, 



FIG. 42. A bunching attachment on an however by mowing 

 ordinary mower. . . 



and then raking into 



windrows, using practically the same method as in har- 

 vesting hay. 



In favorable weather the clover is ready to store or hull 

 in about four days if cut in the late dough stage. The 

 bunches should then be piled in cocks, or better, placed 

 under cover. During unfavorable weather there is some 

 danger of the seed sprouting if the clover is kept contin- 

 uously damp. 



In the principal seed-growing districts, special machines 

 called clover hullers are used to thrash the seed and shell 

 it from the pods. This can be done only when the straw 

 is very dry. 



461. Yields of seed. The yield of seed to an acre for 

 the main part of the clover area probably averages about 



