244 FORAGE CROPS 



catch -crop or cover- crop, to be used without 

 interference with regular rotations. It has proved 

 to be hardy in the eastern and middle states, 

 although many failures are reported, which are 

 probably due in large part to failure to under- 

 stand its peculiar habits. The impression that 

 it will grow well on poor soils with other crops, 

 under all conditions of season and climate and 

 without particular care in seeding, is very erro- 

 neous. It must have abundant food; it is affected 

 by drought and cold and severe weather; it can 

 not subsist with other crops which rob it of mois- 

 ture and plant-food; it must be carefully seeded 

 in order to insure against adverse conditions, 

 although when conditions are favorable it will 

 catch and grow from a mere scattering of the 

 seed on raw ground. 



Method of seeding 



Crimson clover should preferably be seeded at 

 the rate of twelve to fifteen pounds per acre, on a 

 well-prepared seed-bed, and covered lightly with 

 harrow or weeder. It is not suited for spring seed- 

 ing, as it ceases to grow as soon as hot weather 

 comes. The best period for seeding ranges in the 

 eastern and middle states from July 15 to Septem- 

 ber 1. Therefore, it may be used as a catch-crop, 

 seeded in corn, after the regular cultivation has 



