Foli liETTHIi Cliors 12f) 



The three leadinij^ varieties of clover; viz. the common red, 

 the inaininotli, and tlie alsike, all grow relatively better under 

 humid conditions than under those that are dry. It would 

 seem safe to say that clover cannot be grown at its best when 

 the annual precipitation is much less than 20 inches. This 

 means that in the absence of irrigation these clovers will not 

 give returns equal to those obtained from alfalfa in all the area 

 which lies w^est of the meridian lOO**, and east of the meridian 

 120". Crimson clover which is an annual, has highest adapta- 

 tion for the Atlantic and southern states. Japan clover is 

 frequently grown for hay in the southern states, but the yields 

 obtained from it are relatively small. 



Vetches have highest adaptation for climates that are moist. 

 The best climatic conditions, therefore, for vetches are found 

 on the Pacitic slope west of the Cascades, in proximity to the 

 great lakes, and in the Atlantic and southern states. 'No better 

 hay crops can be obtained along the Pacific coast than those 

 obtained from vetches. The sand vetch, however, will grow 

 relatively better with but moderately humid climatic condi- 

 tions. 



The cow pea and the soy bean cannot be grown at their best 

 much farther north than the parallel 40". They call for a 

 longer and a warmer season than is usually found north of the 

 parallel named, but they can be grown for hay much farther to 

 the north than for the grain. Where the climatic conditions 

 become less favorable for the growth of these plants, they be- 

 come more favorable for the growth of the Canada field pea, 

 which grows at its best north of the parallel named. 



Soils for Producing Hay Crops — The question of SOll 

 adaption in growing hay is one of great significance. A grass 

 or clover that may flourish well on one kind of soil may utterly 

 fail on another. Climate adaption is also important, but that 

 has already been touched upon. 



The highest adaption for alfalfa is found in the volcanic ash 

 soils of the west. These are more or less sandy in character, 

 and if they are underlaid with sheet water within a few feet of 

 the surface, tlie adaption is further increased. Kext to these 

 come clay loam soils of mild texture and underlaid with clay 

 not dense in character. Wet and marshy lands are quite un- 

 suitable. On many soils alfalfa will not succeed well until 

 inoculated with the bacteria essential to its growth. This is 

 most easily done by sowing over the land 200 to 300 pounds of 

 earth that has been obtained from a field in which alfalfa is 

 growing vigorously. 



Medium red clover has soil adaption a good deal similar to 

 that of alfalfa, but it will flourish in a shallower soil, as it feeds 

 less deeply, and also in a soil with watery saturation which 



