THIRD ANNUAL YEAK BOOK — PART Y. 219 



flesh production. We can grow abundant fattening foods, and if such were 

 the case that we had only mature animals to feed there would be little 

 need for anxiety on the part of feeders to introduce other foods, for the 

 reason that no crops gives so many pounds of nutrients per acre as the 

 corn crop if this crop is properly cared for. But the majority of our peo- 

 ple whether engaged in fitting animals for the block or the raising of 

 pure breds, are obliged to rear their own animals and because of this 

 there arises the necessity of growing crops that furnish a large propor- 

 tion of protein or fiesh forming substances. In supplying these it may 

 be said that one class or family 01 plants stands alone because of one 

 characteristic which it possesses this being the large proportion of nitro- 

 gen in the form of protein which legumes contain. While we value tha 

 legumes because of their high feeding value it is of great importance 

 incidentally that these plants are not soil robbers in the sense that this 

 term could be applied to such crops as corn, oats, barley, wheat, timothy 

 and rye. However, because legumes enjoy the power of extracting nitro- 

 gen from the air and storing it up in the soil it must not be presumed 

 that these crops will increase the fertility supply unless they are fed on 

 the farm and the manure returned to the soil. In other words, a legume 

 crop will take more nitrogen out of the soil than it will extract from 

 the air and store in the roots. But if the whole crop is fed the soil is 

 benefited to the extent which nitrogen is taken from the air and stored 

 in the roots. 



At the present time our most important legume is red clover. It is 

 an important crop because of its great feeding value, containing, as it 

 does, a higher proportion of protein than is found in any of our cereals, 

 while at the same time it is well adapted to the condtions of the entire 

 state. In spite of its adaptability, however, there are those who experi- 

 ence great difficulty in obtaining a stand, while, on the other hand, there 

 are those who seldom fail when they attempt to give it a place in the 

 rotation. Because of this it might be well to consider a few of the most 

 important points that are to be observed in getting a stand. 



In the first place we will say that it is seldom practicable to seed 

 in the fall, there being too much danger that the young clover plants 

 will be killed during the winter or early in the spring. Wherever winter 

 wheat is grown this furnishes one of the best nurse crops with which to 

 establish clover. However, as there is but a small area of winter wheat 

 in the state, we might almost pass this subject over, although it may be 

 said that when seeded in this way clover should be sown just as early 

 as possible in the spring and afterwards thoroughly .harrowed in. Three 

 good harrowings will not only cover the clover seed so as to induce a 

 uniform stand, but it will also do the wheat good by the breaking up of 

 the crust and the formation of a surface mulch. 



As a nurse crop we place barley next to winter wheat, the variety 

 known as Success being specially adapted to the purpose of establishing 

 clover. This is due to the fact that it grows light in the straw and 

 matures very early. The soil in this case should be thoroughly prepared 



