ALSIKE CLOVER. 17 



THE SEED CROP. 



Since the first crop of clover is seldom used for seed it is cut for 

 hay or ensilage about the 1st of June to enable the second crop to 

 make a good growth before the dr}' season begins. Instead of cutting 

 the first crop for hay or ensilage, clover is sometimes pastured until 

 late in May, and the first crop is then used for seed. By mowing the 

 first crop, however, the second one comes on more evenly than when 

 the first is pastured. 



When the heads of the seed crop are pretty Avell dried and are dark- 

 brown in color the clover is cut with a self-raking reaper, or with a 

 mower with a buncher attachment. Bunches of the size of an ordi- 

 nary wheat bundle are dropped in rows. When the heads are dry 

 enough to powder when rubbed in the hands five or six bunches are 

 thrown together by hand or bunched with a hayrake in the morning 

 when damp with dew. The thrashing is done when possible with a 

 clover huller, and the clover is hauled to the machine in tight- 

 bottomed racks in order that the shattered seed may not be lost. 



ALSIKE CLOVER. 



Alsike clover {Trifolium hyhridum) has a much wider range of 

 adaptability in Avestern Oregon and western Washington than red 

 clover. It thrives not only on soil adapted to the latter — upland 

 clays and -\vell-drained soils — but also on lowland clays, alluvial 

 bottoms, and many soils too wet and cold to grow red clover. Its 

 stems are nuich finer and more recumbent than those of red clover, 

 and its leaves are not so numerous. The yield of the first crop is 

 very satisfactory, but it is disposed to make but little growth after 

 a crop has fully matured for hay. If cut early, however, it is said 

 to make a very satisfactory second growth. A delay of only a few 

 days in the time of cutting the first crop makes a very marked 

 difference in the grow^th of the second. 



Alsike clover makes a very good quality of hay and is well suited 

 to sow Avith timothy, since these two crops mature at the same time. 

 It is a perennial, stands grazing well, and seems to be much less 

 susceptible to the attacks of the clover root borer than is red clover. 

 Since alsike clover is so nearly the equal of red clover in nearly every 

 way it should be given a thorough trial in all localities west of the 

 Cascade Mountains where red clover may have failed. 



From what has been said it is evident that alsike clover is eminently 

 adapted for sowing on land that is too cold and wet for red clover, 

 in mixtures for permanent pastures, and on forest burns and burnt 

 slashings that are to be used for pasture for several years. 



The seed of alsike clover is quite small and 5 or 6 pounds per acre 

 will be found sufficient when it is sown alone. With this exception, 

 31697— No. 94—06 3 



