96 CLOVERS 



be greater than the injury from overmaturity in the 

 same before it is mown. 



When curing the crop, the aim should be to pre- 

 serve to the greatest extent practicable the loss o 

 the leaves. To accomplish such a result, the clover 

 ought to be protected as far as possible from expo- 

 sure to dew or rain, and also from excessive expo- 

 sure to sunshine. Dew injures more or less the color 

 of the hay and detracts from its palatability. Rain 

 intensifies such injury in proportion as the crop be- 

 ing harvested is exposed to it. It also washes out 

 certain substances, which, when present, affect 

 favorably its aroma. 



The injury from such exposure increases with the 

 interval between cutting and storing the crop. Ex- 

 posure to successive showers may so seriously in- 

 jure the hay as to render it almost valueless for 

 feeding. After the mown clover has been exposed 

 in the swath to the sunlight beyond a certain time, 

 it turns brown, and if exposed thus long enough the 

 aroma will be lost. The aim should be, therefore, 

 to cure the clover to the greatest extent practicable 

 by the aid of the wind rather than by that of the 

 sun. 



The method of procedure to be followed is in out- 

 line as given below : Mow as far as possible when 

 the meadow is not wet with rain or dew. Mow in 

 the afternoon rather than the forenoon, as the in- 

 jury from dew the night following will be less. Stif 

 with the tedder as soon as the clover has wilted 

 somewhat. The tedder should be used once, twice 



