FARM CROPS 105 



latitude or farther north where soils are favorable (Fig. 48). 

 It is chiefly used as a winter cover crop after early potatoes, 

 or sown in cornfields in July to grow until spring. The 

 following spring it may be plowed under as a green manure 

 or it may be pastured or used for green forage. 



Methods of Starting Clover. — There are three methods 

 of starting red clover. 



Probably the most common way is to sow the seed in early 

 spring in a field of grain sown the fall before; or with spring 

 grain sown at the same time. After the grain is off in summer 

 the clover soon begins to show. 



Second, red clover is often given a better start by seeding 

 alone in August or early September, just as for the summer 

 seeding of timothy alone. This plan has the advantage of 

 an extra plowing of the ground after the early crop has been 

 harvested. Weeds are removed and weed-seed sprouted 

 and killed. Lime is applied to a better purpose at that time 

 after the fine seed bed is prepared. 



A third way is to seed the red clover in the cornfield 

 in August just as crimson clover often is seeded with the last, 

 cultivation of the corn. After the corn is cut a stubble 

 cutter is used so the field may be in suitable condition for the 

 use of the mower next season. This rotation and method of 

 seeding is less common, and for several reasons less desirable. 



Too many farmers allow their hayfields to stand three 

 or more years. In such cases the clover plants die and other 

 grasses, such as timothy and red top, and weeds fill the field. 

 This is a bad mistake if dairy feed is wanted. Too often 

 dairymen are trying to get milk from the feeding of timothy 

 hay. Such grasses usually make only one good cutting a year, 

 with a little aftermath. The clovers are twice as rich in pro- 

 tein, and two good cuttings may be made. Furthermore, 

 quicker rotations are better for the soil. 



When to Cut for Hay. — Red clover for hay should be cut 

 early. Do not wait until its heads are a third brown. A 



