250 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



elements. Another reason is, the clay is sticky and holds the seeds fast while 

 the germ root is pushing into the soil. 



There is another mode of seeding which I consider of the utmost importance 

 to farmers. It is called self-seeding. Who does not believe that if our soils 

 ■were as completely tilled with clover seed as they are witli weed seeds, that we 

 would have a good stand of clover every time the land is idle long enough for 

 it to grow? I know of a field upon which a crop of clover seed was plowed 

 under over fifteen years ago, and it has never failed to produce a crop of clover 

 since, when left for that purpose, but the seed has been returned to the soil 

 occasionally when the clover was turned under. This above all others is the 

 way to seed with clover, in my opinion. 



I will now consider the disposition of the clover crop, arranging it under 

 three heads, namely: Pasture, hay, and as a fertilizer. 



Clover is a good forage plant, and will furnish a large amount of pasturage 

 if used at the proper time, but should not be pastured the first year until in 

 blossom. At this time it has developed a perfect plant, and will stand some 

 hard usage. Stock of all kinds will eat the heads with avidity, and at this 

 time it is the very best pasture for swine that can be obtained. Stock should 

 not be kept upon the clover until it is all eaten up, and the ground left bare, 

 if intended to be plowed for a wheat or corn crop ; the stock should be taken 

 off in time for the clover to produce 'seeds. Let me strongly impress upon your 

 minds the great importance of this point, for if we let the seed go back upon 

 the ground we shall have clover perpetually or until the grasses run it out. 

 We should always plow under the seed with clover, and trust mother earth 

 with it, for she will hold it in reserve until it is brought to the right condition 

 in regard to light, heat and moisture to grow and reproduce itself again. 



Thousands of acres of this valuable plant are destroyed every year by being 

 eaten off and trampled into the ground while young, by stock of all kinds. 

 Farmers will turn their stock on it early in the spring, as soon as it looks a 

 little green, destroying the young and tender leaves, which should be left undis- 

 turbed for the growth and development of the plant. The leaves at this time 

 are worth very little for feed, and the practice should be abandoned by us all. 

 The leaves are just as essential to the growth of the clover plant as they are to 

 wheat, corn, or trees, and who does not know that it would kill them if the 

 leaves were continually taken off as soon as they appear. 



Fall and winter pasturing is another evil which should be guarded against. 

 If clover is pastured late in the fall, especially by sheep, the crown of the 

 plants are eaten out, water gets into the roots, freezes, bursts them open, and 

 they will "heave out" in the winter or die in the spring. I find by experi- 

 ence that the more the ground is packed and beaten down the more liable the 

 clover is to be drawn out by freezing and thawing. Plaster is a good stimu- 

 lant to the growth of clover, but I consider the addition of ashes makes a bet- 

 ter dressing for it than plaster alone, and one or both should always be applied 

 to it when designed for pasture or as a manure crop. But it will sometimes 

 cause too rank a growth for hay. 



Clover as a hay crop is of great importance to the farmers, and in my 

 opinion when properly cured and housed without being injured by dews or 

 rains, is the best for all feeding purposes. But it is more difficult to make 

 than timothy, and whole fields of it are frequently materially damaged or 

 entirely lost by rains when the hay is partially or wholly dry. To avoid this 

 risk many farmers put their hay in the mow before it is cured enough, and it 

 heats, mow-burns, is mouldy and dusty, and worth but very little. 



