218 CULTIVATION OF GRASSES. 



as to carry off the rain which may fall. The points to 

 be regarded are, to cock before the leaves begin to crum- 

 ble, not to suffer the dew to fall upon the dried surface 

 of the swath, and to build the cocks so as completely to 

 shed rain, should the weather be bad. These grasscocks 

 may stand to advantage 36 or 48 hours, without any pre- 

 judice, and should not be opened until there is a fair pros- 

 pect of obtaining a few hours of good weather to com- 

 plete the curing process. When this is the case, open 

 the cocks as soon as the dew is off, spread them partially, 

 from four to six inches thick. If the day is good, the 

 spread clover may be turned over between twelve and 

 two, and in an hour or two afterwards be gathered for the 

 barn. By this process of curing, the leaves are all pre- 

 served, injury from dew and rain is in a great measure 

 avoided, the stalks are better dried, and the appearance 

 and value of the forage are retained in their highest perfec- 

 tion. If rain is apprehended, after the grasscocks have 

 stood a night, these may be doubled by putting one upon 

 the top of another, and dressing with a rake. An intense 

 sun is almost as prejudicial to clover as rain ; and there- 

 fore it should not be shaken out, spread, or exposed often- 

 er than is necessary for its preservation. The more the 

 swath is kept unbroken, the more green and fragrant will 

 be the hay. 



The advantage of curing clover in the cock is this, 

 that when cured by being spread, the leaves and blos- 

 soms are dry long before the stems are cured, or suffi- 

 ciently dry ; so that either the stems must be housed be- 

 fore they are properly cured, or, if made sufficiently dry 

 by long exposure to the sun, the leaves and blossoms 

 become too dry, crumble, and are lost. If in cock, all 

 parts of the plant dry alike, the moisture in the mass is 

 equalised, and when gathered to the barn, there will 

 scarcely be a leaf lost, while the stalks will be amply 

 cured. A shght fermentation often takes place in the 

 cocks, which, instead of doing any injury, is a benefit, as 

 it prevents the hay from afterwards heating in the mow 

 or stack. It is a good practice to sprinkle salt upon 

 clover hay, when deposited in the barn, especially upon 



