CRIMSON CLOVER 



349 



extent for the production of hay. This plant was introduced 

 from Europe at a comparatively recent date and is not 

 extensively grown. From Delaware southward, it makes an 

 excellent cover crop in orchards and elsewhere. It should 

 be seeded in July or early in August and plowed under or cut 

 for hay when it comes into bloom the following spring. The 

 plants, which reach a height of 3 feet on 

 good soil, are erect in their growth. The 

 heads are terminal, and are much longer 

 than those of the other clovers, forming a 

 dense spike. The bright crimson flowers 

 are very striking in appearance. The red- 

 dish yellow or straw yellow seeds are larger 

 than those of red clover. Twelve to twenty 

 pounds is sown to the acre. A mixture with 

 other seed is seldom used. 



Crimson clover may be sown along the 

 Atlantic coast in August and plowed under 

 in May in plenty of time to plant a crop 

 of cotton or corn. It adds a large quantity 

 of vegetable matter to the soil and also 

 materially increases the supply of nitrogen, 

 used as a pasture crop, but is occasionally cut for hay. The 

 hairy stems and leaves are somewhat objectionable, and 

 when the hay forms a large part or all of the ration of an 

 animal, *'hair balls" are sometimes formed in the stomach, 

 giving considerable trouble. 



LABORATORY AND FIELD EXERCISES 



1. Mount specimens of the diflferent kinds of clovers, showing 

 full root system. 



2. Compare roots taken from different kinds of soils. What is 

 the difference? Why? 



3. Compare the leaves and stems. What do these have to do 

 with the quahty of hay? 



4. If possible, try to grow a few clover plants on inoculat'sd soil 

 aud a few on soil that has not been inoculated. What are the results? 



Figure 119. — Crim- 

 son clover. 



It is seldom 



