112 WALL'S MANUAL 



called, leaving both ends open ; upon these rails throw 

 the vines, until about a foot deep. Throw over them 

 straw or grass, and in a short time they will be 

 cured," and a large amount of most excellent forage 

 secured. 



CHAPTER XV. 



HAY CROPS. 

 CLOVER. 



From the three divisions of its leaf, clover 

 is called " Trifolium" Thero arc several varieties cul- 

 tivated in different countries. The common red 

 clover, is considered the best for our climate (Vir- 

 ginia). This is a biennial plant. If sown in the 

 early spring, and not too much shaded by other 

 crops, it produces a few blossoms the first season. 

 When allowed to grow the next year to full matu- 

 rity, without cutting, it dies ; but if cut or pastured, 

 it lives through a third, or even a fourth summer, and 

 retains vigor enough to produce a tolerably fine crop. 



Soil. Clover grows best on clay loams, having 

 a good supply of lime, in some available form ; but 

 almost any soil (not marshy) may be made to pro- 

 duce a good crop, by frequent applications of ashes 

 and plaster (gypsum). The roots of clover run deep, 

 and hence requires a deeply- broken soil. 



Sowing. The spring is undoubtedly the best time 

 for securing a good stand of clover, while March and 

 April are the safest months for sowing it, in our 



