PLANTS OF THE CLOVER FAMILY. 85 



71.) The aim should be, however, to cover the 

 seed of the Alsike less deeply, since it is a much 

 smaller seed. The proper depth will, of course, 

 depend upon conditions. In moist New England, 

 in some states further west, in eastern Canada and 

 in the Puget Sound district, the tubes of the grain 

 drill as they deposit the nurse crop will sufficiently 

 cover the seed that has been dropped or scattered 

 before the drill. In the absence of a grain drill the 

 roller will provide a sufficient covering. But in the 

 prairie soils of the upper Mississippi basin a light 

 harrow will not cover the seed too deeply. 



To provide pasture, Alsike clover is more com- 

 monly sown along with some other kind of grass or 

 clover, as, for instance, timothy, orchard grass, Ken- 

 tucky blue grass, and medium red clover. But it 

 may also be sown alone. Wherever orchard grass will 

 flourish, Alsike clover and blue grass make an excel- 

 lent combination along with it in providing pasture, 

 since the two grasses grow both early and late in 

 the season, and the clover is at its best in the early 

 summer. On the slough soils of the prairie, Alsike 

 clover, timothy, and blue grass or red top make a 

 good pasture. 



The amount of seed required will be dependent 

 chiefly on the grasses along with which the clover is 

 sown. If sown alone, four pounds of seed per acre 

 will.be found sufficient in nearly all soils. If sown 

 along with other grasses, the quantity must needs 

 be proportionately decreased. 



Cultivation. Alsike clover, like the other 

 kinds, does not require to be cultivated. But on 

 suitable soils it may be made to re-seed itself, and 

 thus to retain its hold upon the ground for many 



