6S2 



Grasses and Leguminous Crops in New York 



thick. A nurse crop helps the clover only by keeping the weeds 

 down, and if too thick it will have the same effect on the yonng 

 clover. 



On sour or run-down soils, lime or manure may he needed to 

 give the plants a healthy start. If the season is dry just after 

 harvest, there is sure to be heavy mortality among the young 

 plants and they can withstand the drought better if on land well 

 supplied with lime or humus. To keep a stand the plants must 

 have a chance to grow strong and thrifty before winter. If the 

 first season's growth is verv heavv, as it mav be in a weit season, 

 the clover may be lightly pastured or clipped. It should not be 

 allowed to bloom nor should it be pastured or cut close. To endure 

 the winter the clover must have a fair growth to act as a mulch, 

 but this must not be so heavy as to smother the plants. On prac- 

 tically all New York lands, lime is either necessary or helpful, 

 and the application of stable manure will be found generally 

 beneficial. 



Fig. 657. Red Clover Field, Showing the Effect of Top-Dkessing 

 With Manuke. The Area in the Immediate Foreground Received 

 no jklanxjre; the area immediately behind received a light applica- 

 TION, Resulting in a Very Vigorous Stand of Clover. 



winterkilling, diseases, insects 



Winterkilling is usually caused by the heaving of the ground; 

 a good mulch of the leaves and stems will go far to prevent this. 



