The practical test of whether clover hay is in condition to put in the mow is to take a wisp of it and twist it violently. If no moisture can be seen to exude from the stems, it may be stored. It should never be put in while there is any dew or rain on it. The old practice of putting up clover hay by means of alternate layers of clover, partly cured, and dry straw, is a good one, and results in first-rate hay, and causes a part of the straw to be eaten.
Clover as pasture.— Clover pasture is admirably adapted to hog-raising, and cattle thrive on it if restricted so that they do not bloat. For pasture, red clover should be mixed with some sort of grass, since it is too nitrogenous to be relished alone. Much better results are secured when the animals grazing on it can find grasses with which to vary their diet. For this purpose, timothy is often sown with clover, and awnless brome-grass (Bromus inermis) is excellent for the purpose; or the animals may be given access to a field of grasses. There will be very much less bloating when the pastures are mixed.
If a mixture of salt and air-slaked lime is kept where the animals may find it, there will be less bloating. When animals become accustomed to grazing on clover they should be permitted to re main constantly there, as the risk is less than if they are taken off and put back at intervals.
Clover for soiling. Very much better results are secured in soiling clovers than in pasturing them. They may be cut when in bloom, or before, and hauled to the animals. Several times as much for age will then be secured from a given area as though the animals ran on the ground and wasted and trod down a large part. Here, also, the pre caution of feeding complementary feeds with the clovers, to counterbalance the excess protein, must be observed.
Bringing clover in old pastures.—If on old pas tures, fertilizers rich in lime and phosphorus, such as basic slag, with potash if the soil needs it, are used, and no clover seed sown, there will frequently come a decided sprinkling of clovers of the sort that have become natural to the field, and they will grow with extraordinary vigor. On an adjoining field, should one sow nitrate of soda, he will observe the disappearance of the clovers and the rioting of grasses.
Clover for silage.—For silage, clovers should be
cut when full of sap and be put in the silo with no waste of time. They should be in full bloom. In general, corn pays best in the silo, the clover in hay being held to feed with it.
Mammoth clover.
This is a form of red clover. It is rather more persistent, much coarser, more productive and makes a coarser hay not so much relished by stock. It is better than common red clover for enriching soils, but is inferior to it as a hay plant.
Alsike clover.
On certain soils, rather inclined to wetness, alsike clover thrives better than the red clover, and is an excellent forage and bee pasture. It may be seeded and treated as has been directed for red clover.
Crimson clover.
This is the " trifolium " of Great Britain. It is an annual, sown in the fall, which blooms, makes seed and dies the following summer. It is most often employed as a catch-crop, after maize or vegetables. Crimson clover thrives in a warm, sandy soil and in regions south of the Ohio river, though it is used to some extent north of that line. It makes good pasturage and fair hay, though it is said to be dangerous to horses owing to the hairs on the seed-stems. It is often used as a soiling crop. It enriches soils remarkably, and when adapted to the soil and climate is of great value. It well repays fertilizing with phosphorus and potassium. Crimson clover is especially well adapted to the south Atlantic seaboard.
It clover.
This is a small perennial plant, with creeping stems rooting at the joints. It comes naturally in pastures and along roadsides, especially where • • • ; . 1 • Fig. 343. Loading crimson clover in the South.
there is lime in the soil. It makes good bee pas ture, and is liked by all animals. When in seed it sometimes salivates horses, making them to "slob ber." It is exceedingly nutritious. It should be sown in all mixtures for permanent pastures. The seed being very small, no more than two to four pounds per acre need be sown. It does well with most grasses, enriching the soil, giving place to them when they are vigorous, but reappearing again when they are subdued. It is usually too short for hay. All animals relish it, and it is very fattening except in unusually cold, wet seasons.