687 



experiments reported in RuUetiii No. IL of tlie station (sci; Experiment 

 Station Kecord, vol. ii, i). 71<»). 



The study of forage and other special-purpose plants, 

 A. T. Keale, Ph. D. (pp. 30-43, fio-, l),— Scarlet clover (pp. 36-39).— 

 This i)lant is briefly described. 



It is used in Delaware largely in poach orchards, seed being sown at the la.s't culti- 

 vation of the trees. * * * 



For seed it is sown on rather poor land; no fertilizers are nsed. A crop of buck- 

 wheat may be put in at the same time to shade the young plants as well as to utilize 

 the ground. Two hundred and seventy bushels of clean seed were actually sold last 

 summer at Milford from 17 acres, representing au average of IG bushels per 

 acre. Ten bushels per acre is generally regarded as a good crop. Its market value 

 at wliolesale was $5 per bushel. Filteen pounds is said to Ve enough to seed an acre, 

 but 1 bushel to 7 acres often satisfuss practical farmers. A popular way of 

 raising scarlet clover is to seed corn land late in July, using aCahcion sower. A lair 

 growth is made after the corn is cut off in the fall. By the lirst of May blossoms will 

 be seen, and by the (iftcenth the croi> may be turned under in time for potatoes or a 

 second corn crop. It may be cut and packed into silos for green food. Testa of all 

 these methods have resulted favorably. 



A trial was made at the station of seeding this clover between rows 

 of sorghum 32 inches apart, sowing July 20 and August 2, 10, and 20, 

 1889. The crops were seriously injured by clover canker. They were 

 cut May 12, 1891, when in full bloom, with the following yields of green 

 clover per acre: Seeded July 20, 10,428 pounds j August 2, 17,464 

 pounds; August 10, 26,566 pounds. 



Analysis demonstrated that more than 82.5 per cent of the clover was water; 

 hence, 13 tons, 556 jiounds is equivalent to 2 tons 611 pounds of perfectly dry hay. 

 This sample was handled under conditions which excluded all possible loss of leaves, 

 etc., hence its analysis given in detail in the chemist's report indicates a product 

 much higher in value than ordinary red clover hay ; its value in fact being equiva- 

 lent in chemical composition to an average grade of wheat bran. 



As to its manurial worth, this much can be said: The green crop, weighing 13 tons, 

 566 pounds, contained 115 pounds of nitrogen, 131 pounds of potash, and 35 pounds of 

 phosphoric acid. To secure this amount of plant food in the shape of commercial 

 fertilizers would involve an outlay of nearly $24. * * * 



Seventy per cent of the total value is credited to the nitrogen, the element 

 which the clover can take up from the air; 30 per cent is credited to phosphoric acid 

 and potash, elements which must come from the soil alone. In the above estimates 

 it will be noted that no credit whatever is given to the plant food stored in the 

 clover roots, nor can credit be given to the indirect but extremely valuable effects 

 caused by the decomposition of this mass of green matter in the soil. * * * 



At least 450 bushels of seed found a market in Delaware last July and August, 

 a quantity, at the usual rate of seeding, sufficient for nearly 3,000 acres. If results 

 are favorable this year it is predicted that this acreage will be doubled in August, 

 1891. 



Sorghum (pp. 39-43). — The results are reported of tests of varieties 

 at Harbeson, Odessa, and the station. At Harbeson 1,638 canes were 

 grown from a single seed head from Rio Grande, New Jersey, believed 

 to be a cross with Early Orange. Seventy-four representative canes 

 were selected for analysis. " As regards sugar, more than one half of 



