MEDIUM RED CLOVER 99 



a good quality of unbleached muslin or strong cot- 

 ton, or they may be obtained from some of those 

 who deal in tent awnings and stack covers. When 

 of good quality and well cared for they should last 

 for 10 to 20 years. Care should be taken in putting 

 them on lest the wind which frequently precedes a 

 thunder storm should blow them away. The pins 

 used at the corners of the caps should be carefully 

 and firmly inserted in the hay or the groimd, or the 

 caps should have sufficiently heavy weights attached 

 to them at the corners to prevent their lifting with 

 the wind. In putting up the hay the size of the 

 cocks should be adjusted to the size of the covers 

 used. One person should apply the covers as quickly 

 as two will put up the hay. 



When clover hay is put up into cocks, it undergoes 

 what is termed the "heating" process ; that is, it be- 

 comes warm in the center of the heaps up to a certain 

 point, after which the heat gradually leaves it. The 

 heat thus generated is proportionate to the size of the 

 cocks and the amount of moisture in the clover. The 

 sweating process usually covers two or three days, 

 after which the hay is ready for being stored. When 

 clover is cured in the winrow, it does not go through 

 the sweating process to the same extent as when 

 cured in the cock; hence, it is liable to sweat in the 

 mow, and to such an extent as to induce mold, if it 

 has been stored away with moisture in it beyond a 

 certain degree. If a wisp of clover is taken from 

 the least cured portion of the winrow or cock, and 

 twisted between the hands, it is considered ready for 

 being stored if no liquid is discernible. If over- 



