Sweet Clovek 775 



Only seed that germinates well should l)e sown. Most seed 

 firms now sell scarified seed, 15 pounds of which, germinating at 

 least 80 per cent, is sufficient to sow to the acre. When seed that 

 germinates less is sown, the quanity should be increased in pro- 

 portion to the germination. Unhulled seed is usually sown at 

 the rate of 25 to 30 pounds to the acre. As this kind of seed 

 contains a very large percentage of hard seed, it should be sown 

 at least eight weeks earlier than seed that germinates well. This 

 is necessary because it will require at least that much time for 

 the alternating temperatures of late winter and early spring to 

 soften the seed coats so that germination may take place. 



USES OF SWEET CLOVER 



Sweet clover was used as a feed for animals at least two 

 thousand years ago, but until recent years its most important use 

 was as a soil-improver. At the present time, in addition to being 

 a valuable soil-improver, it is rapidly gaining in favor as a hay, 

 pasture, and ensilage crop. Being a biennial plant it is well 

 adapted to short rotations. It is especially valuable in all sections 

 of the country as a honey plant, furnishing nectar for bees for a 

 long period. 



Sweet Clover as a Soil-improving Crop 



Unlike many legumes, sweet clover will make a good growth on 

 soils too depleted in humus for profitable crop production. In 

 addition to its ability to grow and to produce a considerable quan- 

 tity of forage on such soils, the large, deep roots will add vegetable 

 matter to them. The extensive root systems do much toward 

 breaking up the subsoils, thereby providing better aeration and 

 drainage. Xot only do the plants add organic matter to the soil, 

 but in common with other legumes they have the power of fixing 

 atmospheric nitrogen by means of the nitrogen-gathering bacteria 

 in the nodules on their roots. The yields of the crops that follow 

 sweet clover are usually increased materially. 



Sweet clover is a very good winter cover crop to prevent soils 

 from gullying and washing. It also takes up much soluble plant 

 food that would' otheinvise leach from the soil during the winter. 

 The large taproots take up some potassium and phosphorus in the 



