42 A TEXT-BOOK OF GRASSES 



meadow, the third for pastures and lawns, the fourth as a 

 cover, soiling and green manure crop as well as for hay. 



The most important of the clovers and one of our most 

 important forage plants is red clover. This thrives in the 

 humid region (Par. 110) and is often sown with timothy. 

 Its chief use is for hay but it is also used as a cover-crop 

 and for green manure. In common with alfalfa and other 

 legumes, or even with rape, there is danger of causing 

 bloating in cattle and sheep pastured upon clover. 



Alsike is better adapted than is red clover to wet soil 

 and hence is utilized in meadows too wet for the latter 

 and is usually sown with redtop. Alsike is of some impor- 

 tance as a forage plant but the amount used in comparison 

 with red clover is insignificant. (See Farmers' Bulletins 

 No. 455 on red clover. No. 550 on crimson clover, No. 

 485 on sweet clover. No. 441 on Japan clover.) 



47. Timothy is the great meadow-grass of the north- 

 eastern states which produces the standard hay of the 

 market. Timothy is not so nutritious as some other 

 grasses, yet it is the leading meadow-grass because it 

 combines as does no other grass the requisite qualities. 

 It is palatable, fairly nutritious, easily grown, and the 

 the seed is cheap and of good quality. The cheapness of 

 the seed is much influenced by the good seed habits of 

 the plant. It produces seed abundantly and the heads 

 grow to about the same height, ripen about the same time, 

 and do not wastefuUy shatter the seed. 



Timothy is grown alone or with clover, and in either 

 case may be sown with the addition of a nurse-crop of 

 grain. It may be sown with wheat in the fall, the clover 

 being added in the spring, or with clover in the fall, no 

 nurse-crop being used. The addition of the nurse-crop 

 is an attempt to gain time while the timothy and clover 



