( <:: 



2 Grasses and Leguminous Crops in New York 



SOILS ADAPTED TO SWEET CLOVER 



Sweet clover has been grown successfully on all the principal 

 soil types in the United States that were well drained, inoculated, 

 and not acid. This plant prefers limestone soil, and it is upon 

 this type of land that it grows so luxuriantly in some sections. 

 Sweet clover appears to be well adapted to heavy clays, loams, and 

 sandy soils. It is no more tolerant of poor drainage than is red 

 clover, but it will withstand a higher water table than alfalfa. 



LIME REQUIREMENTS OF SWEET CLOVER 



It is essential to plant sweet clover on soil that is not acid (Fig. 

 691), Acid soil is one of the principal causes for so many fail- 

 ures with this crop in the East. When lime is applied to such soils, 

 however, sweet clover will succeed on them. The effect of lime 

 upon the growth of this plant has been studied in different sections 

 of the country and the results thus far obtained show clearly that 

 its lime requirement is as high as that of red clover. The yield of 

 hay or the quality of pasturage produced is often more than double 

 from an application of lime before seeding. The plants commonly 

 make twice as much root growth in well-limed soils as in acid soils. 

 This increase in root growth is very essential for soil improvement. 

 Before planting sweet clover on acid soils an application of one 

 ton of burned or caustic lime or two tons of finely ground lime- 

 stone should be made to the acre. 



PREPARATION OF THE SEED BED 



The primary requisite for obtaining a stand of sweet clover is 

 to have a firm, thoroughly compact seed bed with just enough loose 

 soil on top to cover the seed. The lack of a firm seed bed is often 

 the cause of a poor stand. When sweet clover is seeded in the 

 spring on winter grain, the seed bed is usually in good condition. 

 If it is seeded with spring grain, however, the seed bed should be 

 rolled, preferably with a corrugated roller, after seeding. Better 

 results are usually obtained when seeding is done in the spring 

 on ground that has been plowed and thorcmghly worked the pre- 

 vious fall. 



