PLANTS OF THE C*M*VAMULM^ >J\ 



clover. With soils that are naturally of a stiff tex- 

 ture, the aim should be to secure a deep and fine pul- 

 verization in the seed bed. Such are the clays of 

 Ohio and of some states further east; and also 

 those of Ontario and other provinces east from 

 Ontario. With soils that are of a spongy character, 

 and especially with those that lift more or less 

 with the wind, the aim should be to firm the seed 

 bed when preparing it. Such are certain of the 

 soils covering a considerable proportion of the 

 upper Mississippi basin and its tributaries. Soils 

 that are liable to be surcharged with water during 

 any considerable portion of the year will prove 

 much more suitable if drained before being laid 

 down to clover. In some instances surface drains 

 w r ill suffice, but in others underdrains will be 

 more suitable. 



Sowing. The early spring will, in nearly all 

 instances, be found the best time in which to sow 

 clover. But there may be localities abundantly sup- 

 plied with moisture and favored with mild winters in 

 which it would be practicable to sow clover during 

 the late summer and early autumn months. This 

 should not be attempted, however, in any locality in 

 which the winter temperatures are low. And while 

 there may be sections subject to severe frosts after 

 growth has begun in the spring, in which it may be 

 wise to defer sowing clover for a time after the 

 ground is ready to receive it, as a rule clover should 

 be sown as early as practicable in the spring. 



As has been stated, clover is usually sown with 

 a nurse crop. A nurse crop is one that provides it 

 with shade when it is young. Winter wheat, winter 

 rye and barley are very suitable as nurse crops for 



