Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-07-01
CURING GLOVER HAY,
Saving Red Glover soas to Obtain the Best
Results from It.

Results from IL.
Isupposo it is hardly necessary for
me to say any thing in regard to red
clover as a farm crop. All farmers
ought TO know its value, both as ferti-
lizer and rs feed for nearly all kinds Of
farm stock. In this term / include
hogs, as well as cattle, horses and
sheep. At low prices pork can be- made
with profit only when grown largely
on clover. Many farmers do not know
its feeding value, for the reason that
they have never saved it in a manner
to obtain the best results from it, Il is
usually allowed to get too ripe before
cutting, and is then left in the sun and
dew until il is blcachcd and hlackencd,
and when put in the barn has but little
more feeding value than pea straw.
Then comes the question, how shall we
save Il? First, il possible, by all means
build a silo TO put It ia. Build it in
side the barn. Put grout bottom into
the bay, line the sides with tarrcd
building paper and matched flooring,
and You have as perfect silo as can
be built. The clover may be put into
silo with less expense, and much less
risk than it can be saved in the ordi-
nary way. But II it is not desired 10
have n silo. the next best thing is Il
iiaye practiced it the last fifteen years.,
to cut the clover when IL is green, wilt
il in the field. and do the rest of the
curing in the NOW. My plan is this:
Cut before the blossoms are all out (say
a little more than half Of them); never
commence the moving in the morning
until the dew Is of; run the mower
until noon. After dinner, and as soon
rs four o'clock, rake, and put up in
large cocks; be sure that il IS all done
before the dew begins to fall A tedder
il useful, and should be had II attain
able. II put up while the sun is shin
ing on II warm, the hay will begin nc
once to heat in the cock, and by the
next morning will be quite warm. Tho
next forenoon throw open 10 the sun
q short time. and put into the barn as
fast as possible. / know some readers
will be ready to ask If il will not heat
and spoil. II will heat. and that is
what we want % do; but II there Is
NJ moisture in it except the juice Of the
hay, IL will not spoil, providing tho
barn Is reasonably tight An ordinary
battened barn Il tight enough. II the
doors are kept closed, save whom
necessary to be open for putting in hay.
II one has a large amount OF clover to
cut, the mower may BE- run from, say
three'o'clock m the afternoon until tho
dew begins to fall, and tho clover
handled the next day. II the work
goes on continuously from day TO day,
it will be all right, but IL from bad
weather or any other cause. n break Of
two or three days should occur. tho
hay viii be wet as It falls from the fork,
and IL is good plan 10 pitch Or some
Of the top 10 the sides Of the NOW.
When the clovcris all in II Is well to
put load or two OF dry straw on the
top, otherwise some Of the top will be
found spoiled. One word Of caution.
Do not make the mistake Of supposing
il will be the same to put in Uci hay as
green hay. II the rain falls on it, or Il
is cut when the dew Is on, Il must be
dried or II will surely spoil. - Cor. Prat-
ric Farmer.