14 



FARMERS BULLETIN 820. 



showed that the stand on at least 50 per cent of the fields was partly 

 or entirely killed by cutting the first crop the second season too close 

 to the ground. A direct relation exists between the thickness of the 

 stand, the height of the plants, and the height at which the stubble 

 should be cut if a second crop is to be harvested. It is very essen- 



FIG. 5. Stubble of sweet clover collected in fields where 90 per cent of the plants had 

 been killed by cutting too closely to the ground. The heavy stands in these fields were 

 not cut until the plants had made a growth of 36 to 40 inches. Note the scars on the 

 stubble where young shoots started, but died from lack of light. 



tial to examine the fields carefully before mowing, so as to determine 

 the height at which the plants should be cut in order to leave at least 

 one healthy bud or young branch on each stub. In fact, the stand 

 should be cut several inches above the young shoots or buds, as the 

 stubble may die back from 1 to 3 inches if the plants are cut during 

 damp or rainy weather. 



