CLOVER CULTURE. 27 



it up the succeeding yea-r. The seed crop of mammoth clo- 

 ver is about as certain as any other farm crop, while the seed 

 crop of the common red is one of the most precarious of crops, 

 unless the first cutting be made at the right time. It is rea- 

 sonably certain when the first crop is cut the last ten days of 

 June. Under Western conditions this is not always, nor in- 

 deed usually, possible. It is also liable to be greatly injured 

 by an early frost. 



These objections do not apply to the mammoth which 

 matures its seed crop about the ist of September in the lati- 

 tude of Central Iowa and Nebraska, and, owing to the high 

 temperature of the season, can be cured rapidly and threshed 

 easily. The yield is from two to six bushels per acre, which 

 at present prices is equal as a cash crop to any other. The 

 farmer, therefore, can by the use of mammoth clover restore 

 the fertility of the soil for the time being without incurring 

 the expense of investing in cattle, fences or barns, and to him 

 it is invaluable. Where the object is pasturage, we would 

 prefer sowing mixed seed in about equal proportions for the 

 obvious reason that, plants being at their best about the period 

 of bloom, the season of continuous bloom is prolonged, mam- 

 moth clover coming in bloom two or three weeks later 

 than the r common red. By using this method there can be a 

 constant succession of clover bloom from May until frost. 

 Keeping in mind these two peculiarities of the two different 

 varieties, the reader will be able to determine for himself 

 which is best adapted to the soil, climate and the character 

 of his farm operations. 



The question of the amount of seed per acre whether 

 alone or mixed with each other, or with other grass seeds and 

 the best method of sowing will be discussed fully in a subse- 

 quent chapter. 



