94 CLOVERS 



of the crop the next season is decidedly injurious. 

 To prevent such a result the mower should be run 

 over the field as soon as much hazard is certainly ap- 

 parent, and the earlier in the season that this can 

 be done the better, for the reason that all weeds 

 growing- are clipped off, and the clover has also a 

 better chance to provide protection for the winter 

 by, growth subsequently made. When there is an 

 over-luxuriant growth in the plants, it may be well 

 to thus mow the field, even though seed should not 

 be produced. The growth made by the plants and 

 the mulch provided by the portion cut make an ex- 

 cellent preparation for entering the cold season. 



But few pasture crops grown will furnish as much 

 grazing in one season as medium red clover. It will 

 probably furnish the most grazing if allowed to 

 grow up before it is grazed- until the stage of bloom 

 is approached or reached, but since it is seldom prac^ 

 ticable to graze it down quickly enough after that 

 stage has been reached, and since there is frequently 

 waste from tramping, grazing usually begins, and 

 properly so, at an earlier period. 



When cattle and sheep graze upon young clover, 

 there is some danger that hoven or bloating may re- 

 sult to the extent of proving quickly fatal if not 

 promptly relieved. The danger is greater if the ani- 

 mals are hungry when turned in upon the clover, 

 and when it is wet with dew or rain, or in a more 

 than ordinarily succulent condition. Such danger 

 may be lessened, if not, indeed, entirely eliminated, 

 by giving the animals access- to other food, as dry 

 clover hay, for instance, before turning them in on 



