No. 4.] SUPPLEMENT! X(i THE HAY CROP. 383 



HOW TO SUPPLEMENT A SHORT HAY CROP. 



BY riJOK. CHAKLES S. PHELPS, SUPERINTENDENT GRASSLANDS FARMS, 



CIIAPINVILLE, CONN. 



Hay is so important a fodder in wintering aJl kinds of 

 stock that the indications of a })rohal)le shortage in the crop 

 are always looked upon with considerable apprehension. The 

 indications as to the prol)ab]e yieklare not very strong, how- 

 ever, until the time is past in Avhicli some of the best substi- 

 tutes can be planted. Eor example, spring-sown oats and 

 peas make a most valuable hay, but this crop should not be 

 sown later than May 15 in Massachusetts. Nevertheless, 

 there are quite a number of substitutes for the first crop of 

 hay, which may ])e planted in June or July, which Avillmake 

 valuable forage. But, before considering special crops as 

 substitutes for hay, it will l>e well to consider methods of 

 handling the first crop so as to provide for a heavy second 

 growth. • 



It will generally be noticed, on fields where there is any 

 clover, that in dry seasons the pro})ortion of clover is greater 

 than in wet seasons. This is probably due to the fact that 

 clovers will withstand the efi'ects of drouth better than our 

 common grasses. Fields Avith much clover on them should 

 be cut early, so as to get the most possible good from the 

 clover, and let the grasses growing with it be of secondary 

 importance. This early cutting Avill encourage a vigorous 

 second growth of both the clover and the grasses. A large 

 crop of rowen may often be thus obtained. In order to 

 assure a strong second growth, it is wise to apply some 

 quick-acting fertilizer soon after the first crop is removed. 

 The writer has found that 150 pounds of nitrate of soda per 



