CULTIVATION 



SI'KI NG CR< >PS. 



155 



be nearly all alsike and timothy, as the red clover is 

 a biennial, while the alsike and timothy are peren- 

 nials. Although it is not always necessary to mix 

 any of the grasses with the clovers, it is always ad- 

 visable to sow clovers with grasses. The latter are 

 nitrogen feeders, and must have nitrogen in the 

 soil, otherwise they will become sickly. It is well 

 known that timothy sown without red clover will 

 soon die out, whereas, if sown with red clover, it 

 will grow luxuriantly for several years after the 

 clover has died out. 



As a fertilizer our common red clover is a most 

 valuable plant. It collects the free nitrogen from 

 the air and deposits it in the roots near the surface 

 of the soil, through the bacteria of nitrili cation. 

 The tap roots strike deep into the subsoil and bring 

 up soluble mineral matter sufficient to develop the 

 plant, and this is made available to feed other crops. 

 Thus, by growing clover in a short rotation of crops, 

 the fertility of the soil can be maintained. Again, 

 the clover roots perforating the subsoil and decaying 

 there leave the subsoil more porous than it can be 

 made with any implement. 



According to analysis clover hay, when properly 

 cured, is worth considerably more than any other 

 hay for feeding live stock of all kinds, including 

 horses and pigs. It is the best flesh former and 

 strength giver. It improves and balances the other 

 rations, so that there will be less waste when feeding 

 concentrated food. 



The curing of clover is an important matter. It 

 should be cut when coming into full bloom, and 

 shaken out with a hay tedder (III. ■/■/) soon after 

 being cut. When it is sufficiently dry, rake it into 

 wind-rows and put into ricks. All that was cut in 

 the forenoon might thus be put up in the afternoon, 



Clover a Fer- 

 tilizer, Subsoil- 

 er and Flesh 

 Former. 



Curing Clover 

 Hay. 



