372 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



aud uniform cover crop may be secured. The plant winter-kills and by 

 spring there is little left to work into the soil. For plowed orchards it 

 is not as valuable as winter vetch and it does not seem to be as valuable 

 as oats and i>eas for orchards where a cover crop that does not live over 

 winter is wanted. 



MAMMOTH CLOVER. NITROGEN GATHERER. 



While mammoth clover often makes a very fine cover crop, it is not 

 as dependable under as many conditions as the winter vetch. 



To secure a good "catch" of mammoth clover, there must be a well 

 prepared seed bed, which will be made possible if the spring and early 

 summer cultivations were frequent. If the weather conditions are favor- 

 able during the late summer and fall, a fairly good growth will be se- 

 cured. It is checked by the cold. A large growth Avill be made in the 

 spring if there is an abundance of moisture and under such a condition, 

 the plowing can and should be delayed until the clover has attained a 

 good size. But upon many of the Michigan orchard soils, owing to a 

 lack of moisture, it will not be practicable to delay the jilowing until 

 the plant has grown to even a fair size and this is especially true during 

 a spring when the rainfall is light. 



Mammoth clover appears to do better upon a clay soil than winter 

 vetch. It has proven hardy in our tests. Not less than 20 pounds of 

 seed i3er acre should be used. 



CRIMSON CLOVER. NITROGEN GATHERER. 



Crimson clover has not been a success as an orchard cover crop in 

 Michigan, except in the southern counties. In a few tests in the north- 

 ern ])art of the state, we have secured good stands, but it cannot be 

 relied upon. This uncertainty is due to its lack of hardiness. It so often 

 winter-kills that in the spring it is "patchy." 



We have tested the scheme of sowing buckwheat with the clover to 

 prevent winter injury. The buckwheat would make a quick growth and 

 in the winter serve as a protection to the young plants. The scheme has 

 not proven successful in our tests. The crimson clover being as "patchy" 

 where the buckwheat was sown as it was where it was not. 



The plant might be utilized in orchards in the southern counties of 

 the state but we would not suggest its use in the northern districts. 



In cultural requirements and habit of growth it is similar to the 

 mammoth clover aud the same amount of seed, 20 pounds per acre, should 

 be used. 



COWPBAS OR VELVET BEANS. NITROGEN GATHERERS. 



We have tested cowpeas for several seasons and have not found llicm 

 satisfactory for a cover crop under Michigan conditions. The plants 

 are killed by the first frost and this occurred before they have made 

 even a fair sized growth, even when sown as early as possible and sup- 

 ])lied with a quick acting commercial fertilizer. 



We have had similar experience with the velvet bean. 



