o 



00 Bureau of Farmers' Institutes. 



How is alfalfa clover as a substitute for corn for ensilage? 



Mr. Cook. — It would not be any substitute, because it is a 

 wholly different crop. Corn is a carbonaceous crop; alfalfa a 

 nitrogenous one. But I should never put it into a silo. Corn is 

 much better. If you can grow alfalfa, cut it early, cure it as 

 hay, and feed it in connection with the corn ensilage. Sow it 

 early, about the time the corn is planted. 



To Mr. Van Alstyne. — Would crimson clover thrive in this locality 

 (Schenevus)? 



Answer. — Crimson clover is now being grown in the valley of 

 the St. Lawrence river, but, if it is to succeed, one must get the 

 seed grown as far north as possible. Southern-grown seed does 

 not germinate well, or else produces a feeble, weak growth. Ob- 

 tain seed from acclimated clover and sow it in the corn or potatoes 

 to cover the ground, and to be plowed under the next spring; and 

 be sure to put it in deeply, else it will sprout too quickly. If 

 sown in the corn, run a narrow plank drag or stone boat over 

 the ground to pack it tightly over the seed. Thus grown, one 

 gets two crops on. the same ground, and I am satisfied that, if 

 the crimson clover now on my ground does not survive the March 

 and April weather, it will be worth to me all it has cost. 



A Farmer. — We do not always get a clover catch here (Spring- 

 ville). It failed two years ago. What are you going to do about 

 that? 



Mr. Converse. — I believe that on ordinary dry soil, if clover 

 is not grown, it will be the fault of the man. Of course, there 

 are some wet, mucky soils which are sour, that will not allow 

 clover to grow on them. An amplication of lime or ashes will 

 sweeten such soils, so that closer will thrive; on fairly good, 

 sweet soils, if humus is present, so that moisture is retained, the 

 clover seed will germinate and the plants grow. You may test 

 the soil by inserting a small piece of blue litmus paper in it for 

 a few minutes. If in that time the color changes to a dull red, 

 you may know that acid is present. If so, apply a good dressing 

 of lime or ashes. 



What time of year is best for sowing clover or timothy seed? 



Mr. Cook. — We sow our clover and timothy seed on our winter 

 wheat, as a rule, from the first to the middle of April. 



