120 DESCRIPTION OF FEEDING STUFFS 



the time of blossoming. This' clover is best adapted to the climate 

 of the south Atlantic States, and has been especially recommended 

 by the New Jersey and Delaware experiment stations. 



Japan clover (Lespedeza striata) is a southern forage plant of 

 special value for pasture; it also furnishes a good quality of hay 

 if cut when in full bloom. It will yield one to three tons of hay 

 per acre on good land, of a quality that is considered equal to the 

 best clover hay. According to Tracy, Japan clover, with cotton seed 

 as grain feed, is the cheapest milk-producing ration in many sections 



FIG. 18. Crimson clover. ("Productive Farming," Davis.) 



in the South. It is of great value to southern agriculture as a soil- 

 renovator, increasing the nitrogen content and improving the com- 

 position and texture of soils that are largely unproductive, so that 

 they will grow other crops. It affords valuable pasturage for cattle, 

 horses, sheep, and hogs, though the animals must be accustomed to 

 it in order to relish it. It is considered by some authorities the 

 best pasture plant for the poorer clay soils of the cotton belt. It 

 does not differ greatly in composition from red clover, the hay 

 being somewhat lower in ash and fiber and higher in nitrogen-free 

 extract than red clover hay. 11 



11 Farmers' Bulletin 441. 



