Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1899-09-25
OUR FARMERS.
CLIPPING CLOVER IN THE FALL.

Farmers are often at loss to know
whether to cut and take off a growth
of second crop in their fields, cut and
leave it upon the ground or not cut it
at all. The present dry season is not
so favorable for the growth of this
crop as have been the previous sea-
sons yet there will be considerable
growth a month or two later upon
many fields where there is not enough
to pay for cutting and curing for hay.
Clark NJ. Drake says in the County
Gentleman that the present dry SPELLS
especially severe on young clover,
which endured hard rub in the prev
ious drought. That which came on
finely in the spring has been losing
ground, showing that there was not
sufficient moisture within reach of its
long tap roots to support life. vi
course, it was forced to divide this
supply with the wheat or other grain
before the latter was harvested, but
to make up it had the protection of
shade. Now it has the full supply of
moisture, small though it be, and the
full glare of the sun. The wheat fields
are very compact, as was shown by
the slight indentations made by the
wagon wheels in passing over them.
Capillary attraction carries moisture
from below rapidly up through this
compact earth to the surface, where
it is evaporated. Give us mulch of
some kind to protect the young clo-
yer.
Occasional pieces Of clover and
timothy have, this year, been as
heavy as usual. 1 moved piece of
? IA acres, which produced at least
two tons per acre, at which feel safe
in estimoting it, as there were nine
good loads The field was clipped in
September, and the crop gathered,
which may have something to do with
the heavy crop of hay. Fall clipping
of young clover and timothy is a safe
practice, and it may result in much
benefit. This is the second time [
have cut an unusually heavy crop of
hay after fall clipping, and have never
noticed any falling off on account of
it. A heavy coat of young clover that
goes back on the land act as protec-
ton during winter, but while it con-
serves heat, it also protects mice. In
spring it must be evident that it holds
frosts in the ground, thus retarding of
the starting of the plants. Now, an
early start is sometimes highly essen
tial, especially in year like the pres
-ent. l remember walking through
this piece about June 10, and it was
large enough TO cut. Many persons,
perhaps, have noticed how quickly
grass will start on a meadow over
which fire has run in early spring.
Why Because the mulch is burned
off and the ground warmed at the
same operation. Also notice how
grass and winter grain are started by
a warm rain in spring. Why? Be
cause it was in need of moistuse ?
Not necessarily. The rain is warmer
than the earth, and the temperature
of the soil has been raised.
Inc S0QSlD10 IdEIIlOf VIII USE JUICE
ment in regard to removing the crop
after clipping. If the field lies bleak,
it may be we'll to let this remain on
the ground. On such land the clover
will start as early in the spring under
a mulch of this kind as where III has
been removed, and perhaps grow bet
ter afterward, in case of dry weather,
on account Of it. On we'll protected,
moist land, believe there is nothing
gained by letting it lie. Often the
crop of young clover will we'll pay for
the trouble of cutting. A load per
acre is not uncommon on good land.
If hay is to be sold, the improved
qualify often commands better piece,
as it is free from stubble and refuse
of all kinds. The advanced price of
hay will cause farmers to look we'll to
the quality as well as the quantity of
this product, and fall clipping will be
found safe and quite certain means
to the desired end"
A correspondent of The Rural NelU