ALSIKE CLOVER 215 



to the cutter-bar of the mower, which will enable the 

 workmen to leave the hay in sheaves, but to do this 

 an additional hand is wanted to rake or pitch off 

 the sheaves. The sheaves should be laid off in rows, 

 and by system, rather than at random, for conven- 

 ience in storing. 



Usually, the sheaves are not disturbed until ready 

 for being stored, but in case of very heavy rain it may 

 be necessary to turn the sheaves, to prevent the seeds 

 which come in contact with the ground from 

 sprouting. The sheaves should be carefully lifted, 

 otherwise many of the heads will break off and be 

 lost. Because of this, it may be wise, frequently, to 

 refrain from lifting the sheaves for loading in the 

 middle of the day. Large forks, which may be run 

 under the bimches, are more suitable than ordinary 

 forks. 



When absolutely necessary, the seed crop may 

 be harvested with the field mower, as ordinarily 

 used, but 'when it is thus, harvested, the crop should 

 be cut with all promptness as soon as it is ready. 

 It must then be raked into winrows and lifted as 

 hay is usually lifted. All the work of harvesting 

 should be done in those portions of the day when 

 the heads will break off less freely, and when at the 

 same time the dew is not resting on the seed plants 

 in any considerable degree. When, however, a crop 

 of alsike is thus harvested for seed, many heads will 

 break off, howsoever careful the workmen may be. 



The seed may be threshed at once or stored. Stor- 

 ing under a roof is preferable to storing in the stack, 

 but the latter method will suffice, if the tops of the 



