98 FORAGE CROPS 



with humus and nitrogen, while their long penetrating roots loosen 

 up the soil and improve its physical character. 



Crimson Clover has come into general notice in this country only 

 since 1890, but it is said to have been cultivated in very early 

 times near the Pyrenees Mountains in north Spain and France. 

 It is grown in the South Atlantic States north of the cotton belt 

 on sandy, loose soils. It is valued chiefly as a cover crop or for 

 soiling. 



Red Clover. This useful crop is said to have been first culti- 

 vated in Persia, and was brought during the fifteenth century to 

 Spain and Italy, thence to Holland, and in 1633 was carried from 

 there to England. Its first appearance in this country was in 

 Pennsylvania about 1770. Red clover may be found growing 

 in the United States east of the 100th meridian and north of 

 the 35th parallel of latitude. It is also grown to some extent 

 in Washington and Oregon along the Pacific coast. Red clover 

 may be sown at different times of the year according to the climate 

 and season, but good results are usually obtained from early spring 

 sowing. Many farmers favor fall sowing, especially when wheat 

 and clover are sown together. Under favorable conditions red 

 clover wilt yield two crops a year, but the second crop is not always 

 satisfactory for feeding purposes, on account of its unfavorable 

 effect on stock. On account of the high price paid for clover seed 

 many farmers thrash their crop and sell the seed. The legal weight 

 is usually about sixty pounds to the bushel. 



Alsike or Swedish Clover gets its name from the village of Alsike, 

 in Sweden, where it was first cultivated. From there it was carried 

 about 1834 to England, and later it was brought to America. 



Alsike clover closely resembles white clover, but the flower heads 

 are slightly larger and have a decided pink color. It is grown for 

 pasture and also for hay. It thrives in many soils and climates 

 where red clover produces an unsatisfactory growth. Sixty 

 pounds is the usually accepted weight for a bushel of the seed, but a 

 bushel by measurement will generally run from eighty to ninety. 



White Clover grows well throughout the United States in moist 

 and well-drained soils. It is much used for pasturage, but in the 

 months of July and August horses grazing on it often slobber 

 excessively on account of the acrid nature of the seed. White 



