83 



ble conditions of sun and air. In neither case will the hay go in free from 

 external moisture." 



It should always be borne in mind that clover hay will not shed rain. 

 The best farmers now build open sheds in the field for storing it. When 

 stacked it should either be thatched or have a thick top-covering of 

 wheat straw or other hay. The tedder is thought by many to be indis- 

 pensable in saving good clover hay. Unquestionably it is of great ser- 

 vice, and the hay made by the use of the tedder in dry, hot weather, is 

 superior to that made without, but good hay can be and is made by many 

 farmers who never saw a tedder. Clover hay is more difficult to cure 

 than hay from any of the true grasses, and this arises from the fact that 

 it contains more water than the true grasses. For this reason also, it is 

 more difficult to keep, being more liable to damage in the mow. It will 

 not bear handling or transportation except when damp and while it will 

 always be a favorite hay for home consumption, it will never be shipped 

 to distant markets like timothy hay. For horses and mules clover hay 

 is very nutritious. Many persons make a crop by feeding on clover hay 

 without any grain whatever and the working stock keep fat. Clover is 

 also a superior hay for cattle, producing in milch cows a fine flow of milk. 

 It makes the best hay when the stalks are small and stand thickly upon 

 the ground. 



SAVING CLOVER SEED All the clover seed used in the border 

 states should be produced in them. Besides, there should be a large 

 surplus to be sent to other markets, for no section of the Union will pro- 

 duce, acre for acre, a larger quantity. Six bushels per acre have some- 

 times been gathered, although the usual average is about three bushels. 

 Large quantities are grown in and shipped from Bedford, Maury, Wil- 

 liamson and other counties in Tennessee. 



As the first crop of clover, coming to maturity in June, will not per- 

 fect its seed, this must be removed either by feeding or by mowing for 

 hay. The seed must be gathered from the second crop. The quantity of 

 seed will depend much upon the weather. Should there be much rain or 

 heavy winds, the yield will be small, but when the weather has been fine 

 .and calm and the seed free from dock or other noxious seeds, the crop 

 will be as remunerative as any other grown by the farmer. A bushel of 

 clover seed will weigh usually about 64 pounds, though 60 pounds is the 

 standard bushel by the statute regulation. 



The second crop of clover should be allowed to stand until the husks 

 have become quite brown and the seeds have passed the milky state. It 

 should then be mowed and permitted to lie upon the ground until it is 

 well cured. After it is cured rake it up into swaths. Rain will rather 

 benefit than injure it, making it easier to separate the heads from the 

 haulm, which is done by passing through an ordinary wheat separator. 

 A clover huller attachment is adjusted to the separator below the vibrator, 

 which hulls the seeds, and they are separated from the chaff by the fan, 

 care being taken to shut off as much air as possible by closing the sliding 

 doors. Machines are now made especially for threshing clover seed. 



The crop of seed can be largely increased by mowing or feeding off 

 the first crop of clover about the first of June, and then top-dressing with 



