The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-03
FARM AND GARDEN.
cutting and Managing Glover.

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There is a considerable difference OF
opinion as TO the time at which clover
should be cut Tor hay and the way 1t
should be managed in curing.
There is decided advantage, in one re-
spect, at least, in cutting clover reason
ably early, and that is, the plants gener-
ally have better opportunity OF making a
good start to grow before hot, dry weather
sets in. Two or three showers after cut
ting will often give the plants such start
that they will shade the soil and the plants
will maintain good growth, which, ii the
cutting had been deferred later, could not
have been made. Whether to be used for
pasture, to be turned under as green
manure, 10 be cut and made into hay, or
TO be allowed TO mature seed, it is import
ant to secure vigorous, healthy growth.
III cut in good season better quality oil
hay can be made-that Is, 1t will contain
larger per cent. OF nutriment-than II the
plants are allowed to get ripe. Usually, II
the weather will permit, clover should be
/ cut when the earlier heads begin to turn
brown. AS a rule, the nearer the work
can be done to this time the better Will be
the quality OF the hay.
| II is always an item in the management
OF the hay crop TO get everything IN shape,
80 that ut the time the crop is ready 10
harvest tho work can be pushed along as
rapidly rs possible. 1t is an item to cut,
cure and get the clover slowed away with
out getting il wet.
II is rather in the manner OF curing than
in any other part OF the management that
the greatest difference of opinion exists.
With many the plan OF cutting in the
morning, letting lie and curing until in the
afternoon and then raking up and putting
in cocks and letting stand and cure two or
three days is preferred. There is one ad'
vantage in this, which is that there is little
or no danger Of the hay spelling in the
stack or NOW, while there is a decidedly
increased risk OF the hay getting wet in
the cock; and often IL will require several
days to cure, and in addition there is more
handling, increasing the cost and the
waste.
Clover must be cured very thoroughly
before IL will be so dry that il will not heat
after II is stacked. But because it heats
should not by any means be taken rs IN
indication that II Is spoiled. II clover Is
allowed to get too ripe before cutting, or IS
cured too thoroughly, so that the leaves and
stems are dry, there will be a considerable
waste by the stems and leaves breaking up
into small pieces.
Under what may be considered average
conditions, II clover is cut reasonably cary
in the morning, and is allowed TO lie and
cure during the hottest part OF the day, II
can be raked up and hauled direct 90 inc
barn or stack.
When il is an item 10 increase the amount
OF feed rs much us possible ana wheat Oh
oat straw can be he'd conveniently, good
plan will be 10 -dt in alayer OF clover, then
n LAYER of si.Iw, then one OF clover and 50
an in ai,ernato layers until the NOW ID
niled The straw will absorb consider.
nble per cent. oi the juices OF the clover
ibn. otherwise would be- eyaporaied and
tl,5 value OF the straw for hay be increased
or feeding, while the clover will not heat
40 much rs wnen the straw is not used.
II clover is put IN the stacks the same
day II is cut, Il IL almost certain 30 heat,
and II will dry out thoroughly; but often
some on the top will spoil; yet in many
cases where there is free circulation oI
air the hay will cure with very little IL any
damage. Every time that hay is handled
Il increases the cost aud II is always an
item To manage the crop 80 that this can
he reduced as much ~ possible. II II gets
wet either in tbs winrow or cock, il will
often require several days turning and
summing 10 dry out, and this always in
creascs the cost, while II lowers the quail
ity OF the hay. SO that, in fair season,
il will cost less, and the bulk OF the loss
will be less II the clover Is cut early before
the blossoms all begin TO turn brown and
Is cut down in the morning, aud Is ready
to take up and haul in late in tho evening,
moving away or stacking 20 rs TO protect
as fully rs possible from the weather.