[7] Analysed by the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station.
[8] Analysed by the Bureau of Chemistry.
[9] Analyses compiled by Henry and Morrison.
As shown in [Table III] the analyses of the first and second years' growth of sweet clover compare favorably in food elements with corn silage. It is to be expected that the silage made from the sweet clover straw would contain less protein and carbohydrates than that made from the entire plants, as most of the leaves shatter from sweet clover before the seed crop is cut. Considerable protein and carbohydrates were lost from the silage made from the first crop the second season, as the plants were run into the silo as soon as they were cut. Much juice was pressed from the bottom of this silo. An analysis of this juice is given on [page 21].
SWEET CLOVER AS A SOILING CROP.
As a soiling crop sweet clover has been used to only a very limited extent. The amperage yields of green matter vary from 6 to 15 tons per acre, The season for soiling may commence when the plants are 12 to 15 inches high and continue until flower buds appear. An area of such a size that the plants may be cut every four or five weeks should be selected. The plants should not be cut closer to the ground than 4 inches during the first part of the season and 9 to 12 inches during the latter part of the season. On account of the high protein content and the large amount of forage produced on a relatively small area, sweet clover may profitably be fed in this manner when more desirable soiling crops are not to be had.