102; TH^ HANDBOOK FOR PRACTICAL FARMERS 



The seed of crimson clover is two or three times as large as 

 that of red clover. After the first year, the vitality of the seed 

 rapidly deteriorates, consequently it is wise to have it tested 

 before buying. Twelve to twenty pounds per acre is usually 

 sown. 



Japan clover. — This is a small, thin-vined annual that grows 

 wild in many parts of the South. It will grow as far north as 

 southern Pennsylvania and will thrive on any Avell-drained soil ; 

 its great value, hoAvever, lies in its remarkable ability to grow 

 well and form a dense mat on poor, sandy soils. After a few 

 crops, on such soils it is often possible to grow larger plants. 

 When once planted, although an annual, it is able to maintain 

 itself and spread because it readily reseeds itself in the region 

 adapted for it. It is wise to plant this clover on the soils too 

 thin for other clovers, and to include it in pasture and lawn 

 mixtures for the poorer soils. 



Sweet clover. — This plant is a biennial and has only recently 

 come to be well known as a forage crop and a soil builder. 

 When young, the plant much resembles alfalfa, but has a bitter 

 taste, ^^^len growing isolated, it forms a large bushy plant, 

 five or six feet, or, under favorable circumstances, even eight 

 or ten feet tall, wdth the ends of its twigs covered with small 

 white flowers. 



During the first season the plant grows slowly at first, but by 

 fall may reach the height of four or five feet and even develop 

 some blossoms, especially in the South. Meanwhile, it develops 

 a root system that is characterized by a large tap root which is 

 powerful enough to penetrate the stiffest clay, and in which the 

 plant is storing reserve food. Very early the next spring, from 

 the croAvn of this root, a number of shoots are sent up, forming 

 the very earliest pasturage. 



Live stock will usually refuse sweet clover at first, but after 

 they have once acquired a taste for it, there is no further trouble 

 from this source. The bitter taste in the plant is due to a sub- 

 stance called cumerin, which it contains. Some plants have more 

 than others and old plants have more than new shoots. 



Sweet clover will thrive almost any^vhere in the United States, 

 on soil too poor or too deficient in organic matter for clover or 

 alfalfa to grow, but the soil must have plenty of lime. SAveet 

 clover requires a very firm seed bed to give it a good start. In 

 fact stands have been obtained Avhen the soil Avas so hard that 

 the drill could scarcely scratch the ground. AMien soAvn on any 

 soil for the first time, inoculation should be practiced. 



