No. 4.] CATCH-CROPS. 335 



fodder und, as shown by the above table, also capable of 

 largely increasing the productiveness of the soil, still on ac- 

 count of the slow growth at first I am not inclined to recom- 

 mend it. Unless it can be weeded and cultivated at the start 

 it is likely to be stifled by the weeds upon all ordinary fields. 

 It seems, further, that our drier climate is less favorable to 

 its growth than the more humid European climate. Nine 

 pounds of seed per acre are sufficient. 



Crimson Glover. — Concerning no crop brought to the 

 attention of farmers in recent times has so much been said 

 and written as of this plant. Under the right conditions it 

 is undoubtedly a valuable fodder and one of the most valua- 

 ble green-manuring plants. The above table shows a large 

 increase in the succeeding crop due to its cultivation. In 

 the United States there have been many reports of success in 

 soil improvement by its cultivation. Perhaps in none of 

 these were more striking results obtained than in an experi- 

 ment reported by Professor Neale of the Delaware Experi- 

 ment Station.* I quote from that report as follows : — 



"Eight tons 600 pounds of crimson clover from seed, 

 which cost $1 per acre, added 24 bushels to the corn crop. 

 One dollar invested in nitrate of soda and used as a top- 

 dressing added 6 bushels to the corn crop. Hence, in this 

 case $1 invested in clover seed returned four times as much 

 as $1 invested in nitrate of soda. As to the relative amount 

 of labor involved, the sowing of the seed and the broadcasting 

 of the nitrate of soda possibly balance each other. Plough- 

 ing down a green crop is doubtless far more costly than 

 ploughing bare ground. This drawback may reduce the 

 above-named apparent gain 25 per cent." 



In Delaware, crimson clover appears to be perfectly hardy ; 

 it is uninjured by the winter ; but in most parts of Massa- 

 chusetts this clover is not found to be hardy. It is only in 

 those localities where it can stand the winter that crimson 

 clover is likely to prove of great importance. In such local- 

 ities it will prove valuable both as a fodder crop and for 

 green-manuring. As a fodder crop it would be valued 

 chiefly because it is ready to cut earlier in the spring than 

 any of our other clovers. Feeding it in large quantities, 



* Delaware Experiment Station Report for 1892. 



