-90 FARMERS' INSTITUTES.. 



for permanent pasture ; the stems are larger, more inclined to spread ; the 

 leaflets are narrower and often destitute of a light spot, the flowers are 

 hright red and larger than in Triflolmm pratense and form less compact 

 heads. 



The samples found at the Agricultural College and in many other places 

 :show all grades of intermediate forms. These two species seem to be freely 

 hybridized. 



At my request, my friend A. C. Glidden, of Paw Paw, Michigan, has 

 ■made numerous inquiries in reference to its value in his portion of the State 

 -where it has been largely grown. 



L. B. Lawrence, of Little Prairie Ronde, Cass Co., who owns a large 

 prairie farm, has grown it for many years. He considers it less hardy than 

 the other species ; it is more liable to "heave " in the spring, and often grows 

 ■so rank as to kill itself by the burden of stalk on the surface. 



He thinks the roots are smaller and that it feeds on the surface, and does 

 not work in the subsoil like the other species. He formerly pastured this 

 clover till the first of June, when he allowed it to flower and seed, which 

 would often come off early enough to plow for wheat. He has recently run 

 over the field with a mower, clipping the tops about the first of June, and 

 allowing them to remain as a mulch, while the new growth forms seed. 



D. Woodman, of Paw Paw, once sowed a field in equal divisions of the 

 two kinds, and the mammoth clover furnished double the amount of feed 

 for pasture, as compared with the other half of the field. The season was a 

 dry one. 



The prevailing sentiment is that the mammoth clover does not make as 

 good hay as the other species; it is often coarse and woody. Another point 

 should not be overlooked. They all agree that the mammoth clover is much 

 the most productive of seeds. As this is the case we may expect it will soon 

 hecome more common than it is at present. Farmers will select the large 

 Ikind to raise seeds to sell, and many times this seed will finally be purchased 

 "by farmers and sown, supposing it to be the early or round-leaved red 

 clover. 



In managing this crop, it should be understood that if left without 

 pasturing or mowing in spring, there will be a small crop of seed. 



" In Central New York," says Professor Roberts of Cornell University, 

 ^' of late years we mow the seeded land but once, and pasture in the fall the 

 ;abundant second growth. Since 1878 the clover-root beetle, Hylastes trifolii, 

 Miihl, has worked upon clover to such an extent that it invariably fails tlie 

 •second year. This has caused us to change from a five to a four year rota- 

 tion, viz., hay, corn, oats, and wheat. 



Prof. Beal added some comments on the increase of insect enemies to the 

 ■clover, but said that the parasitic enemies of these insects are also on the 

 increase. 



At Hudsonville the following discussion took 'place after the reading of the 

 paper. 



Mr. Densmore: As to plowing clover under, when should it be done, in 

 blossom or when seed is ripe ? 



Prof. Johnson : lu preparing for wheat, plow under early and cultivate till 

 time to seed, so as to get the clover so decomposed that it will be in good con- 

 dition to feed the young wheat. When plowed later I get less benefit. 



Prof. Beal : My idea exactly. In England it has been found that plowing 

 under clover stubble after cutting off the seed gives better results than plowing 



