218 THE SOILS AND CROPS OF THE FARM. 



under some circumstances, the closely allied species, 

 mammoth clover. 



The plant is described by some as a biennial and 

 by others as a perennial of a few years' duration. 

 The plant varies considerably in this and other re- 

 spects in different localities. It is usual when 

 timothy and clover are sown together for the first crop 

 to be largely clover; the second year about half and 

 half clover and timothy, and third year largely, if not 

 quite wholly, timothy. This is particularly the case 

 when sown with spring grain. If timothy is sown 

 with the fall grain it is somewhat more predominant 

 from the first. 



Red clover is easily affected by drought. It does 

 not thrive on wet, undrained land. It grows on soils 

 of all states of fertility except the poorest. The fer- 

 tility of the soil may be correctly ascertained by the 

 appearance of the clover plant, assuming a proper 

 quantity of rain- fall. It is not entirely hardy, espe- 

 cially on poorly drained land. 



Red clover produces two crops annually, one in 

 June and one in August. The second crop varies in 

 quantity with the season, the raia-fall being the con- 

 trolling element. Frequently the second crop does 

 not pay for cutting. It is wise to be able to pasture 

 the aftermath of clover meadows. In some localities 

 the second crop is considered with disfavor; in others 

 it is used with good results. Probably the second 

 crop is usually cut when too ripe. 



The first crop usually contains very little seed. 

 The second crop is frequently cut for seed. The 

 quantity varies greatly. Frequently only half a 

 bushel, occasionally eight to ten bushels per acre, is 



