166 



LEGUMINOUS CROPS 



to the acre, in fields of grain, which may be started either at the 

 same time or the preceding fall. It is a very common practice to 

 grow the crop with timothy or other grasses. The length of life 

 of the common red clover is about two years. When grown with 



grain it produces only a few 

 blossom heads the first fall and 

 may be used as timothy pas- 

 ture if the soil is good. The 

 next season a crop of hay is 

 cut in early summer and a 

 second crop is usually pro- 

 duced and may be used for 

 pasture or for hay. 



When seed is to be saved, the 

 second crop is used (Fig. 113). 

 If this be the intention of the 

 owner the first cutting should 

 be made very early, before the 

 blossoms begin to turn brown. 

 This will give more time for 

 the second growth to mature 

 a crop of seed and will save 

 more of the vitality of the 

 plants for the second crop. 

 The plant is pollenized through 

 the work of bumble-bees or 

 Italian honey-bees having very 

 long tongues. As bumble-bees 

 are not so active in the spring, 

 little seed can be obtained from 

 the early growth. 



In districts where red clover 

 is commonly grown and used 

 FIG. 112. Young plant of red clover, showing for hay, the manure will spread 



nodules (tubercles) on the roots. These contain ,, , ,. n r> i i r> 



the bacteria which enable the plant to take its the inoculation to all fields of 



the Farmer.) ^ farm ^ no ^fa^ j n _ 



oculation will be necessary. In regions where clover is seldom 

 grown inoculation may be necessary to secure a good stand. 

 It is often beneficial to use some lime on the soil at the time 

 clover is started. The frequent use of clover in the farm rota- 

 tion will usually insure good soil. Clover hay does not bring 



