504 MISCELLANEOUS FARM SUBJECTS 



the cowpeas. In a similar experiment where only the stubble was 

 plowed under, the velvet beans in two cases showed a slight superior- 

 ity over the cowpeas. Where corn was used to determine the effect 

 of the legume, cowpeas gave slightly better results than similar plats 

 with velvet beans, whether the stubble or the whole vines were 

 plowed under. Where cotton was used as a measuring crop, the re- 

 eults were in favor of the cowpeas. The cowpea plat produced 1,533 

 pounds, the velvet been plat 1,373 pounds, and the check plat 837 

 pounds, respectively, of seed cotton. Comparison of all the results 

 obtained showed that there is practically no difference as regards fer- 

 tilizing value between velvet beans and cowpeas, 



Crimson Clover. This is much grown as a green manure and 

 forage crop along the Atlantic seaboard from New Jersey southward 

 and to a less extent in the Gulf States. It has been grown to a slight 

 extent in various other States, but owing to the frequency with which 

 it winterkills it has not been established as an important crop. It is 

 most largely grown in the Middle Atlantic States, and its use has 

 greatly increased in late years. 



Crimson clover gives the best results when sown in late summer, 

 preferably from July 15 to September 1. It is most commonly 

 planted in corn or following a small grain crop. In the latter case 

 the land should be plowed and put in good condition before seeding. 

 Considerable difficulty is often experienced in obtaining a stand of 

 crimson clover. Indeed, it is a common saying that it must be sown 

 between showers in order to be assured of a stand. It is important 

 always to use fresh seed, as the germinating power deteriorates rap- 

 idly. Ordinarily 12 to 15 pounds per acre is used, but good results 

 have 'been obtained with smaller quantities. In some cases the fail- 

 ure to obtain a stand has been attributed to the lack of inoculation. 

 In any event it is always desirable to inoculate the seed or the soil 

 before planting on land for the first time. Even if a stand is only 

 obtained two times out of three crimson clover is still a very profit- 

 able crop to grow. 



A number of careful experiments with crimson clover have 

 been conducted both by the Delaware and Maryland agricultural 

 experiment stations. At the Maryland Agricultural Experiment 

 Station it was found that potatoes following crimson clover plowed 

 under yielded 72 3/10 bushels per acre, while on an adjoining plat 

 where no crimson clover had been sown the yield was 52 4/5 bushels. 

 On the same plats the following year the yields were, respectively, 

 102 1/5 bushels and 67 4/5 bushels an increase of 27 bushels per 

 acre, or more than 45 per cent, due to the effect of the crimson clover. 

 In a similar experiment with corn a yield of 46 bushels per acre was 

 obtained following crimson clover, as against 39 3/10 bushels where 

 no clover had been sown. At the Delaware Agricultural Experiment 

 Station sweet potatoes yielded an increase of about 18 bushels per 

 acre, due to the effect of crimson clover, a gain equal to that pro- 

 duced on adjoining plats by the addition of 160 pounds of nitrate of 

 soda. 



