236 FORAGE CROPS 



Harvest^ yields and value 



If used primarily for soiling, harvest should 

 begin when the plant is fully in head, and it 

 may contniue until many of the heads become 

 brown. This period will range from ten days to 

 two weeks, depending on the soil and season. 



As a soiling crop, red clover should be fed 

 with care at first, unless the animals have been 

 accustomed to green forage of other kinds, as 

 they are extremely fond of it, and there is 

 danger that there will be a tendency to bloat. 

 When they have been regularly fed on green for- 

 age, and the quantity is regulated, no danger 

 need be apprehended from this source, and the 

 usual amount of fifty to sixty pounds per day 

 may be used. 



With a good stand and sufficient moisture, the 

 yields of red clover will range from six to ten tons 

 per acre. It usually pays to allow it to stand for 

 the second crop, which is also quite as serviceable 

 for forage as the first, although the yield is smaller, 

 — four to six tons per acre. The second cutting is 

 usually ready in early August. 



Red clover varies in its composition according 

 to the time of harvesting, although either when 

 cut young, or allowed practically to mature, it is 

 much richer in the nitrogenous compounds than 

 are the grasses, but not so rich as alfalfa. The 



