When its use is practicable, the roller is an excellent implement for 

 covering the seed. It presses the seed into the soil and insures 

 uniform germination. A light harrow or a brush drag may also be 

 used. 



Harvesting. — Crimson clover may be harvested in the same way 

 as common red clover. It is sometimes difficult to cure properly, 

 as it is ready to cut at a time when wet weather is likely to inter- 

 fere. It may be cut for hay as soon as it comes into bloom and 

 should never be cut for this purpose later than when it is in full 

 bloom . The hairs upon the calyx of the flowers become hard and 

 stiff as the plant matures and are likely to prove troublesome to 

 animals eating the hay, forming "hair balls" in the stomachs of the 

 animals, which sometimes cause death. When harvested for the 

 seed, cutting should take place as soon as ripeness has been reached 

 to avoid loss through shattering. It is also well to thrash the crop 

 or put it under cover as soon as it is dry, as heavy rains may injure 

 the seed by causing it to sprout in the head. 



Under average conditions from 8 to 15 tons of green, or 1^ to 3 

 tons of cured forage may be obtained from an acre of crimson clover. 

 Very poor Soil or drought may result in a lighter yield, while as high 

 as 20 tons are reported under favorable conditions. The yield of 

 seed per acre usually ranges from 8 to 12 or 15 bushels. 



USES. 



For hay. — When cut in proper season and well cured, the hay is, 

 if anything, superior to that of red clover, having much the same 

 chemical composition and a somewhat higher percentage of digesti- 

 bility. It is relished by all kinds of stock and is very highly prized 

 for feeding to animals that are required to do heavy work. Its 

 nutritive ratio varies from 1 :3.5 to 1 :4. 



For soiling. — Crimson clover is an excellent crop for this purpose. 

 It is ready for use some time before red clover and at a time when 

 there are few other forage crops at hand. It is particularly valuable 

 for this purpose on dairy farms. In experiments made at the New 

 Jersey station, nearly one and one-half tons per acre of digestible 

 food, valued at $25.00, were secured. A ton of crimson clover in 

 proper condition for soiling contains about 325 pounds of dry matter, 

 of which about 5^ pounds of crude fat, 50 of crude protein, and 150 

 of carbohydrates are digestible. Rape is sometimes sown with the 

 clover when a soiling crop is desired and the resulting forage is 

 excellent. 



For pasturage. — This crop readily lends itself to use for pastur- 

 age, especially in the early spring. It may be used alone or in connec- 

 tion with winter rye or rape. At the New Jersey experiment station 



