I5O THE FORAGE AND FIBER CROPS IN AMERICA 



ance of any nitrogenous fertilizer; but that, in the absence of lime, the 

 clover must be supplied with combined nitrogen, and that in large quantity, as 

 well as with phosphorus and potassium." 1 



158. Seeding. While red clover may be sown at any time 

 during the growing season, the best results will usually be 

 obtained by sowing in early spring. Good judgment is required 

 as to the exact time of sowing. Much depends on the season. 

 The young plants may be killed by a sharp freeze or by a dry 

 spell of a few days' duration, particularly if the seeds have 

 not been well covered. In general, drought is more to be feared 

 than freezing, hence early sowing is usually advisable. For 

 its best germination, red clover seed should receive a light 

 covering of soil. Whether this will take place by natural 

 means or can best be secured by harrowing or rolling will 

 depend upon the soil, condition of the seed-bed, and the climatic 

 conditions. Sowing on a late snow often gives good results. 

 The seed sink into the liquid mud produced by the melting 

 snow. Likewise, a sharp freeze that has produced a tessellated 

 condition of soil is a desirable preparation, since the seeds 

 fall between the crevices and the soil, subsequently thawing, 

 covers them. 



When seed is sown late on fall grain the ground may be 

 harrowed immediately after seeding without injury to the 

 grain and to the benefit of the clover. This is especially desira- 

 ble on heavy clays and soils lacking in organic matter. On 

 loamy soils and those high in organic matter rolling may be 

 sufficient. With spring grain the seeding may be accomplished 

 by means of the seeder attachment to the grain drill, wjiich will 

 deposit the seed either before or behind the drills, as the condi- 

 tion of the ground may indicate to be best. Seeding may be 

 done after the grain has been sown, either with the hand seeder 

 or the wheelbarrow seeder. Either machine may also be used in 

 spring seeding of clover on autumn sown grain. (26) 



Sta. Bui. No. 159 (1905), p. 181. 



