366 FIELD CROPS 



allowed to become too dry before it is put into the mow or 

 stack, or the leaves will crumble and the hay will be dusty. 



If the hay is stacked, rather more than ordinary care is 

 necessary in building the stack, for clover hay does not shed 

 water as readily as hay made from the grasses. Much 

 valuable hay may be saved if a foundation of rails or of 

 poor hay is put down before the stack of clover hay is 

 started, and if the stack is covered with grass hay, straw, 

 or boards. It is a good plan to have this covering 

 extend as far down the sides of the stack as possible to pre- 

 vent loss from weathering. 



Care must be taken not to put the hay into the mow or 

 stack when it is wet with dew or rain, as spontaneous com- 

 bustion may result from the heating which will take place. 

 Even though the hay does not become hot enough to burn, it 

 is very likely to be seriously damaged. 



462. Pasturing Red Clover. Red clover is an excellent 

 pasture plant for stock of all kinds, though it is not so good 

 for permanent pasture as white clover. Close pasturing 

 during the first year of its growth or early in the spring is 

 likely to greatly reduce the quantity of hay or pasture which 

 will be supplied during the season. Sheep or cattle are some- 

 times likely to bloat when first turned on clover pasture, 

 particularly if they are hungry and the clover is damp. It 

 is advisable to have the stock well filled with other feed 

 when turned in and to accustom them to the clover gradu- 

 ally. 



463. Value of Clover Hay and Pasture. As clover is rich 

 in protein, it makes an excellent part of the ration for 

 all kinds of stock, particularly for young and growing 

 animals, for dairy cows, and for poultry. Where clover can 

 be grown successfully, protein can be supplied more cheaply 

 in this form than in bran, oilmeal, or other expensive pur- 



