Leguminous Plants for Green Forage and Hay. 



197 



It will be seen that tlie first crop contained but 8.2 per cent, of 

 dry matter, or less tban is found in skim milk. It is evident that 

 this crop was cut some time before it had reached the proper 

 maturity for making hay. Here is an explanation why early-cnt 

 green clover, when used for soiling cattle, often gives such un- 

 satisfactory returns; such forage is mostly water, and the cattle 

 receiving it cannot consume enough to gain the nourishment they 

 require. The total dry matter of the three crops amounted to 

 nearly four tons — a most satisfactory showing. 



286. Development of nutrients in the clover plant. — Hunt, of 

 the Illinois Station, i has arranged the results of studies relating 

 to the development of the clover plant for hay production, con- 

 ducted by himself and others, in tables, portions of which are 

 here presented: 



Yield of hay, and nutrients in tJie same, from the clover plant cut at 

 different stages — various Stations. 



We observe that clover gave the largest returns of protein 

 when the heads were in full bloom or just past that stage. When 

 the crop stood until some of the heads were dead or later, the 

 ~ Bui. 5. 



