It is the practice in regions where a grain header is employed to permit the plants to become somewhat more mature before cutting the seed crop than in sections where other machines are used. More seed is shattered when the plants are cut at the latter stage, but this is not necessarily a loss, as the grain header is employed for the most part in semiarid regions, where the shattered seed is depended upon to reseed the land. LOSS OF SEED FROM SHATTERING. From one-fifth to three-fourths of the total seed yield of sweet clover is lost from shattering. The percentage of the loss which occurs before harvesting will depend largely on the time the crop is cut. Much seed may be lost if harvesting is delayed for only a few days, and many fields have been observed in which at least 90 per cent of the seed had shattered in less then two weeks after the time the plants should have been cut. The percentage of seed which is lost in harvesting will depend largely upon the manner of handling the crop. The binder or header may be equipped at a small cost, so that much of the seed which ordinarily is lost while cutting may be saved. Much shattered seed will be saved by using wagons with tight platforms or platforms covered with canvas. All unnecessary handling should be avoided. Shattering may be reduced to a minimum by cutting the plants when they are damp from rain or dew. It is the practice in some regions to cut in the early morning or late evening, but this procedure will apply only to small acreages, since it is necessary to cut the crop as soon as possible when it reaches the proper stage for harvesting. It is a good practice to cut sweet clover at night, as the plants usually are damp at that time. MACHINERY USED FOR HARVESTING THE SEED CROP. No machine thus far manufactured has given entire satisfaction for cutting the sweet-clover seed crop. On account of the ease with which the pods shatter, it is a question whether any machine can be devised which will handle this crop without the loss of some seed. It is possible and practicable, however, for farmers at a small cost to equip their binders with pans and guards, so as to save most of the seed which otherwise would be lost. THE ORDINARY MOWER. The ordinary mowing machine is one of the most unsatisfactory devices used for harvesting this crop, as the subsequent handling necessary to place the plants in windrows or cocks causes much of the seed to shatter. The use of this machine for this purpose should be avoided whenever possible. THE SELF-RAKE REAPER. The self-rake reaper is one of the most efficient machines employed to cut sweet clover for seed. (Fig. 1.) This machine deposits the newly cut plants with the tops all turned one way in gavels or bunches at the side, so that the horses do not trample them on the next round. A high stubble also may be left, thereby reducing the weight and bulk of the plants which must be hauled to the thrashing machine.