26 FOBAGE CROPS 



Clover should be cut in the morning, tedded 

 thoroughly, and if possible raked into windrows 

 the afternoon of the same day. If tTie day 

 following is clear, the windrows may be thrown 

 open and tedded in the morning early, then raked 

 together and put in small cocks and allowed to 

 stand over night; the following day they may 

 be opened to the air, and dried further, and the 

 crop housed. By this method, there is little dan- 

 ger of loss of leaves by handling, or of deteriora- 

 tion in quality, because of being exposed to sun 

 and dew. 



The hay made from grasses, when cut at the 

 proper time, and well cured, is especially suitable 

 for horses and cattle, and may be used as the 

 main source of roughage for these animals. For 

 dairy cows, fattening stock, sheep, swine and 

 young stock of all kinds, the clovers or other 

 legumes are much better adapted for growth and 

 development than the grasses, as they contain a 

 higher content of protein and mineral matter, in 

 digestible forms. 



A judicious introduction of the different crops 

 into the various rotations, as outlined, will not 

 only increase the possibilities for hay-growing, 

 but will be an important factor in maintaining 

 the fertility of soils, now so carelessly and 

 wastefuUy managed. 



