HuBAM Clover. 325 



klawer) that are known to l)e inoculated. To ascertain wlietlier a crop 

 of sweet cloA^er is inoculated, dig up the plants and carefully wash 

 off the ground adhering- to the roots. If the plant is inoculated, wart- 

 like excrescences will be found attached to the roots of the plant. 

 This soil should be pulverized thoroughly, dried carefully by exposure 

 to the air, and sifted. It may then be sprinkled over the sweet clover 

 seed which has first been slightly moistened with glue-water (T tea- 

 spoonful of pulverized glue to a pint of water) ; 1 pint of this mixture 

 will treat from 1-2 bushels of sweet clover seed. If not seeded at once, 

 .spread it in a thin layer to dry. The bacteria are said to live only 

 about a week on the seed after inoculation, and, if in the sunshine, 

 only a few hours, hence the necessity of sowing soon after treating^ the 

 seed. 



Quantity of Seed per Acre. 



In America, Hubam clover is grown either in cultivated rows or 

 broadcast with or without a nurse crop, or with any of the small 

 grains, as is the custom of seeding the common clovers. In cultivated 

 rows, 3 feet apart, 3-4 lb. per acre are generally sown to ensure a good 

 stand and, at the same time, allow loose cultivating. If sown broad- 

 cast, 10-15 lb. of seed per acre are sufficient; for green manuring a 

 thicker sowing is advisable, about 20 lb. per acre. 



Time to Cut. 



If it is desired to be cut for hay, and only one crop is to be 

 harvested, it may be left until it reaches its maximum growth. When 

 two or more crops are to be harvested, the first crop should be cut 

 when the plants have made an average growth of 30 inches. The 

 crop should be cut for hay before the plants bloom and the leaves 

 begin to shatter. 



The crop is more difficult to cure than lucerne, and the leaves 

 are likely to shatter before the stems are cured. For this reason it is 

 very unlikely that Hubnm clover will be exclusively used as a hay- 

 crop. 



If it is desired to raise seed. Hubani should be harvested when 

 the seed-pods are turning brown. Anything- from 5-10 bushels of seed 

 can be expected from an acre. 



Summary. 



Hubam clover can be regarded as a rival to cowpeas, as it very 

 largely fulfils the same function as the latter crop. 



1. Owing- to its upright growth it would be very much easier to 

 cultivate and reap than cowpeas. 



2. It puts on far more foliage in a season's growth than cowpeas, 

 and for this reason may be more valuable as a green manure. 



3. In places like Natal, where cowpeas are badly attacked by rust, 

 Hubam clover may wholly replace it as it is not only drought-resistant, 

 but thrives in plenty of moisture, 



4. According to reports it is one of the most drought-resisting 

 l)lants under cultivation, and at this station it has proved itself to be 

 more frost-resistant than lucerne and the common clovers. 



5. As a bee-plant it is unequalled. By sowing- at different times 

 of the year at the Botanical Station, Pretoria, we have had Hubam 

 flowering throughout the year. 



