242 



PRINCIPLES OF FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



it gjrows very heavy and rank, it is often possible to pasture 

 it early in the spring before it is cut for hay. It is practi- 

 cally as good for cattle as red clover 

 hay, but not as valuable for horses, 

 hogs, and sheep on account of the 

 stems. 



Alsike Clover Hay is similar in 

 chemical composition to red clover 

 hay. Well-made alsike hay has a 

 high feeding value, but the yield is . 

 usually too small to permit its being 

 grown profitably if red clover can 

 be grown. However, it may be 

 grown successfully on land too acid 

 or too wet for red clover. It should 

 be grown with timothy or some other 

 grass, as it usually has weak stems 

 and will fall to the ground unless 

 supported. Such a mixture makes 

 a very good hay for horses, as it 

 usually is clean and free from dust. 

 Sweet Clover Hay. — Quite gener- 

 ally regarded as a pest until recently, 

 sweet clover is coming slowly into 

 use as a feed for farm animals. It 

 will grow on soil too poor in humus 

 to grow red clover or alfalfa success- 

 fully. Owing to the tough seed coats much of the seed will 

 not germinate the first year. The ordinary white sweet clover 

 should be sown. Usually one crop of hay may be secured 

 the first year and two crops the second year. Inasmuch as 



Fig. 5G. — Sweet clover. 

 (Piper, Forage Plants.) 



