Clover 081 



poor one for seed and the attacks of insects may redvice the crop to 

 almost nothing. To determine whether a seed crop is worth 

 harvesting, the seeds in a number of heads may be counted. If 

 an average of 20 to 25 seeds are found per head and the stand 

 is fair to good, the yield will probably be one to two bushels per 

 acre. The crop should be cut when all the heads are brown and 

 the seeds hard. In about four days, if the weather is favorable, 

 the crop is ready to hull. It is not necessary to allow the straw 

 to rot before hulling, as is often done. In the South crimson clover 

 seed is often sown in the hull. The yield of red clover in the 

 eastern part of the United States averages about one to two bushels 

 per acre, although 3'ields of five bushels have been recorded. In 

 Idaho yields of five or more bushels are the rule. Much is also 

 imported from Europe. 



Alsike clover seed is harvested in relatively few northern states, 

 New^ York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Idaho, and the Canadian prov- 

 inces producing most. Crimson clover seed- is very largely im- 

 ported but is also raised in Delaware and various southern states. 

 White clover seed is harvested in Wisconsin, Louisiana, and 

 Idaho, and to a small extent in other places. Much of our supply 

 comes from Europe. 



POLLINATION 



The red clover flower must be cross-pollinated to produce seed. 

 Why the pollen from a given plant is sterile on the stigmas of 

 flowers from the same plant we do not know, but many experiments 

 have shown that seed is almost never set' in self-pollinated flowers. 

 Bees, especially bumblebees, are the main agents in cross- 

 pollination, and this is perhaps one reason why a better crop of 

 seed is set in a clear, dry season, when these insects are plentiful 

 and active, than in a wet one. 



GETTING AND KEEPING A STAND 



In New York and other northern states, red clover is commonly 

 seeded in spring on winter wheat or with oats — ten or twelve 

 pounds of seed being used. If seeded on wheat the seed should 

 be harrowed in ; this will not hurt the wheat. In an average season 

 the success of the seeding will depend on using good seed, on 

 the care in working it in, and on the nurse crop not being too 



