200 FARM CROPS 



of clover seed may be obtained, and seed of better 

 quality, if the first crop of red clover is cut early, 

 as it will do for hay. This would be when one- 

 third is in full bloom'. The mistake is often made 

 of commencing at that stage of growth and con- 

 tinuing over some weeks, so that most of the 

 cutting is much too late. The second growth will 

 come strong from the large root system and will 

 bloom when bumblebees are most plentiful. When 

 ready to cut for either hay or seed, the mower will 

 clip oiif the heads with a foot or two of straw. This 

 makes good hay, leaving the coarse stalk on the 

 ground. Or it is easily threshed, since there is no 

 more straw than the common red clover has. 



Before cutting the seed one should examine the 

 heads to see if they are well filled. Hold 

 a head between thumb and finger and shave 

 off one side till seeds are exposed. It is 

 easy to count the empty cups. In pinching 

 heads, one will find those well filled are hard and 

 firm, empty heads chaffy. It is well to examine, 

 since there is great variation. 



In cutting the red clover for seed use a buncher. 

 But the large clover with its long, bent-down stub- 

 ble will not pull the clover off the buncher. In this 

 case cut it dewy mornings and rake it into windrows 

 while slightly damp. If heavy rains fall on the 

 cut clover it may need turning. This do with a 

 four or six-pronged fork without parting it more 

 than necessary. Turn a bunch much as you would 

 a pancake. If the rain is not heavy it will usually 

 dry out without turning. 



Thresh in the field, hauling to machine on tight- 

 bottomed hay ladders. The nicest way is to have 

 these on sleds instead of wagons. Do not tramp 



