112 PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



soil deeply and promoting good aeration, and its high feeding 

 value for all kinds of farm animals. Besides, being a biennial 

 plant, it is well adapted for use in short rotations of 

 crops. 



For successful production of red clover there are three 

 requirements that should be observed: favorable soil con- 

 ditions, getting a good stand, and fall and winter treatment. 



Favorable soil conditions include good drainage, enough 

 lime to neutralize soil acids, phosphorus, and organic matter. 

 Lack of any one of these will likely lead to failure. 



Frequent causes of failure in growing red clover are poorly 

 prepared seed bed, rank-growing nurse crop, and too heavily 

 seeded nurse crop. Clover requires a good seed bed having 

 a fine surface and firm sub-surface. The use of a corrugated 

 roller immediately before or just after seeding is a good prac- 

 tice for it not only improves the seed bed for the clover but 

 also for the small -grain nurse crop. Early maturing nurse 

 crops, not too heavily seeded, seem to give the young clover 

 plants the best start. Wheat because of its early harvest is 

 regarded by many farmers as the most desirable nurse crop 

 for clover. 



By fall and winter treatment is meant protecting the clover 

 that has become established from winter injury. Too late 

 or too close pasturing in the fall will leave the ground bare 

 and the young clover plants without winter protection. 

 Sometimes there is a heavy growth in the fall. In such cases 

 careful pasturing or clipping should be done to prevent over- 

 development of the clover. 



Clover for hay should be cut when about one-third of the 

 heads have become brown so as to give the maximum yield 

 of total dry matter and digestible nutrients. 



Other clovers. Mammoth clover is too coarse for the best 



