LEGUMINOUS FORAGE CROPS 



171 



to prevent seed from shattering. The self-rake reaper is con- 

 sidered the most satisfactory machine for harvesting. Thresh- 

 ing should be done as soon as possible, since the seed sprouts 

 readily if exposed to damp weather. Stacking is not desirable, 

 since heating is liable to cause seeds to turn dark. Five bushels, 

 and in some instances ten to twelve bushels, of seed per acre 

 may be obtained. 



190. Seeding. Although sometimes sown in the spring, 

 crimson clover is usually sown in August or September and 

 harvested the next May or Tune. Generally it is sown alone 

 that is, without mixture of grasses or other clovers and without 

 a grain or nurse crop usually at the rate of 10 to 20 pounds of 

 seed per acre. It is sometimes sown with rye for soiling. 



191. History. Crimson clover was probably cultivated from 

 somewhat early times among the Pyrenees in southern France 



Root tubercles on berseem. The roots belong to a plant five months old grown in the 



greenhouse in rather sandy soil, but without any artificial inoculation 



(From photo by Gano) 



