MANAGEMENT OF MEADOWS. 271 



it is almost worthless. The Gamma grass and possibly the 

 Lucerne should be cut as often as it is high enough to run 

 the mower through them, as they become very hard, stiff 

 and woody if they grow too rank, whereas, they are, if cut 

 in time, very sweet and nutritious. 



There is also much difference of opinion in regard to the 

 proper time for cutting clover. Some will take a stalk and 

 tie a knot in it, and if much sap exudes from it, they will 

 leave it until it will barely show moisture. Others will cut 

 when the field is about half in blossom, while still others 

 will defer it until about half the heads are brown and the 

 seed are in a milky state. But the mass of testimony is in 

 favor of cutting clover when a few brown heads show them- 

 selves over the field. If the crop is exceptionally heavy, it 

 is better to begin even before any brown heads appear. It 

 •seems strange that the clover will be heavier when cut green, 

 but it is nevertheless true, and it is more relished by stock. 

 Besides when cut early the leaves are not so liable to shatter 

 as it is when dryer or later cut. And the leaves form no 

 inconsiderable portion of this mass of clover hay. 



It is a well known fact that just before the formation of 

 the seed there is a larger per cent, of sugar, starch and glu- 

 ten in the stalk than at any other time. When the grass first 

 springs up it is filled almost entirely with water, as any one 

 can satisfy himself by chewing a stem in its different periods 

 of growth. As the plant grows and matures, the water 

 gradually becomes impregnated with these substances, and 

 at its blossoming period, these elements exist in their great- 

 est quantity — in fact nature is now storing up material from 

 which to form the seed, and these stores are held ready in 

 the stalk, to effect that purpose. These elements are all so- 

 luble in water, and consequently, are easily dissolved by 

 the juices of the stomach. But if these principles are al- 

 lowed to go to the seed, they leave the stalk, and at once the 

 plant starts on its downward course, becoming more and 

 more woody, until finally decay sets in, and the hay is then 



