The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-05-21
HARVESTING CRIMSON CLOVER.

| nelp In order to AVOID loss or time and
seed.
The most vigorous growth of this
clover may be cut before the flowers
come out, and still leave vitality enough
in the roots to make a second growth
and ripen seed.
When this is done, or hay is made
from the crop, it needs to be handled
carefully to avoid losing the leaves.
To make clover hay we'll requires
good judgment and quick work at the
right time, and GOODNESS enough to
puru g a mastery inactive" course
with it at other times. Cut the clover,
preferably late in the afternoon when
the weather promises to be fue. If
left in swath, next morning turn it
bottom up if thick enough to need it.
When well wilted or just dry enough
to rake and to handle without break
ing, rake into windrows; or, if thick
on the ground, pitch directly into small
cocks. No rolling of windrows is
allowable, but if raked it must be
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letin No. SO, p. 149, of N. @. Expert
ment Station.
When the windrow has dried so as
to be brittle stop work on it. At even
ing it will get moist again and may be
finished between five or six o'clock
and dark.
Examination of the cocks will indi
cate when and how much handling
from one to several days according to
condition of clover when put up and
the weather, but they should not be
left long enough for mould to start in
the clover.
On bright morning when the out
side has nearly dried off, begin to han
die the clover by taking up thin layers
and reversing. Take six inches to a
foot of the top at the first forkful from
a cock according to dryness; and with
out shaking, deposit it on dry place
beside the first cock but turn the fork
in the hand so the top Of the cock rests
on the ground; if all dry serve the
next layer the same. Toward the
bottom the clover will be damp, then
green and wet. Shake this up we'll
and lay on top as loosely as possible.
The shaking in the sunshine airs and
dries the clover, and reversing in this
way brings the pert which needs
further curing to the surface. At the
same time, the limp green clover hangs
down over the top and sides in such
way as to protect the dry bottom and
middle of the new cock from rain if
moderate showers fall on it. If need
be, go over the clover again, but unless
very heavy on the ground or bad
weather ensues, cooking over once will
be sufficient. When apparently ready
to store begin early before the morn
ing dew is off and load the very dryest.
Then before going to the barn or stack,
examine enough for next load and
probably the bottoms of the cocks will
be found wet. Tip them bottom up by
first setting the fork at the edge of the
cock so the lift" on the fork will be
opposite the usual work with it. Make
a forward movement in lifting and the
cock rolls over while the reversed fork
does not disturb the clover, but slips
out easily. Turn the cocks from the
sun so the damp places may have the
benefit of its direct rays.
These directions should be modified
in practice to suit special conditions,
and the weather, which cannot be con-
trolled. Here is where good judgment
is needed.
In saving seed of crimson clover cut
as soon as the plants have assumed a
rich golden yellow and the seed has
hardened. Do not wait for it to get
dead ripe" because too much of it
will be lost.
If the clover is mown by hand, keep
the scythe sharp and carry the clover
all into the swath with regular, steady
stroke. 1t can be handled then much
much better. Ona small scale, it may
be best to leave it in swath until ready
to house and thresh, which must be as
soon es dry; or else turn the swath if
heavy by inserting broad, long tined
} fork to the length of the tines and when
} tops lie together turn over toward the
l butts of the culms. When this side is
) dry (but not dry enough to lose leaves
or seed) pitch to small cocks and from
, these to the tight bottomed wagons
: which carries it to the stack or thresh-
l ing floor. Be sure that the unloading
t and storage places have clean, smooth