CLOVER WITHOUT A NURSE CROP 339 



When sown with timothy, about 8 to 10 pounds of the seed 

 of that grass is sown with about 8 pounds of clover, the 

 amounts of each approaching an equahty. 



Winter wheat is one of the best nurse crops for clover, 

 as it makes comparatively little shade, is removed from the 

 land early, and does not draw heavily on the moisture sup- 

 ply. Winter rye is also good, and winter barley is hardy 

 enough to be used for this purpose along the southern edge 

 of the clover belt. Next to the winter grains, spring wheat 

 and spring barley are desirable as nurse crops. Oats draw 

 heavily on the soil moisture and make a dense shade, hence 

 they are less desirable for this purpose, though they are 

 very commonly used. In some sections the practice of sow- 

 ing clover in corn at the last cultivation is increasing (Figure 

 117). Where there is plenty of moisture, this method usu- 

 ally gives a good stand, but in dry seasons it is quite likely 

 to fail. It is objectionable for the establishment of meadows, 

 as the cornstalks or stubble will cause trouble the first season 

 in making hay. Millet, buckwheat, and crops which make 

 a rank growth should never be used as nurse crops. 



449. Sowing without a Nurse Crop. In sections where 

 the winters are not so severe as to make winterkilling prob- 

 able, the seeding of clover in August or early September 

 without a nurse crop is often more successful than sowing with 

 a grain crop. The use of a nurse crop allows the production 

 of a crop while the stand of clover is being established, and 

 the stubble is of some protection to the young plants, par- 

 ticularly during the winter. The nurse crop, however, 

 often draws so heavily on the supply of soil moisture and 

 plant food that the clover is injured, while the sudden 

 exposure of the tender plants to the full effects of the sun and 

 wind in midsummer when the grain is removed is often dis- 

 astrous. The loss of a crop may be avoided by preparing 

 the land after the grain is harvested and sowing the clover 

 not later than August 15. Sowing after that date is likely 



