CARE OF THE YOUNG CLOVER. 337 



There are 16,000 clover seeds to the ounce, or 156,000 to the 

 pound. In ten pounds there are 1,560,000 seeds. In England 

 farmers often sow seeds of grasses and clovers enough, if all 

 grew, to produce 16,878,000 to 27,000,000 plants, which is ten to 

 fifteen times the amount of seed thought sufficient by our west- 

 ern farmers. 



The Englishman seeks to get large numbers of fine, small 

 stems instead of fewer large, coarse ones. 



In various portions of our country, isolated farmers have sown 

 clover in the spring on well prepared land without the presence 

 of another crop, and they get a crop of grass or clover the first 

 year. This practice deserves more thought from the average 

 farmer. 



For further remarks on this last idea consult a former para- 

 graph on seeding without a crop. 



Care of the Young Clover. It has often been shown, be- 

 yond question, that the young plants will be more certain to live 

 and will grow faster and become stouter, if not sown with a 

 grain crop. If the wheat is thick and large the clover is apt to 

 suffer; if the wheat is thin and light clover is likely to become 

 large and crowd it. 



It must not be forgotten that young clover is most generally 

 greatly benefited by even a very ligkt dusting with gypsum, say 

 one-fourth to one-half or even a bushel to the acre. 



Sheep and swine must not be allowed to feed young clover, at 

 least very long, because it may be much damaged, or even killed. 

 Clover needs a little time to get its roots well established, and 

 this cannot be done without the aid of green tops. 



Clover fails "to catch*' for a great variety of reasons. The 

 soil may be very much "run down," or the seed is poor, sown 

 too late, the ground is too rough, not Harrowed nor rolled ; the 

 oats or wheat get the start and choke it out or enfeeble the 

 plants; the weather in spring is too dry, too hot; the young 

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