37 



If seeded in the corn and the land is in good heart no fertilizer 

 need be applied until the close of the following year of growth, 

 Avhen an application of 200 pounds of high grade sulfate of pot- 

 ash, and 600 pounds of phosphatic slag will prove decidedly help- 

 ful to the growth of the second year. Two and perhaps three cut- 

 tings may be expected the first season with a total yield of 3 or 

 more tons to the acre, equivalent to 3000 pounds of digestible mat- 

 ter, including 500 pounds of digestible protein. The clover can 

 be used as a soiling crop or hayed. If hayed, it should be cut in 

 early blossom, allowed to wilt, raked into winrows, cocked, cov- 

 ered with hay caps and thus cured. The cocks should be moved 

 after two days to prevent the killing out of the sprouting plants 

 beneath. On the day of drawing to the barn, the cocks may be 

 opened and aired. The use of hay caps is strongly recommended; 

 they protect from rain, check a too rapid drj'ing and will amply 

 repay for their cost and for any extra labor. If clover is cut in 

 late blossom and hayed by the usual method it furnishes a very 

 inferior fodder. 



The fertilizer and labor cost of clover production is compara- 

 tively low, it improves the mechanical condition of the land, 

 leaves it richer in nitrogen, is a large producer of protein and well 

 adapted to climatic conditions ordinarily prevailing in Massachu- 

 setts. It is the most satisfactory crop for the production of home 

 grown protein. Don't neglect the clover crop.* 



Alfalfa** has thus far proved itself rather of an uncertain crop 

 in ^lassachusetts. The writer has been successful in growing it in 

 a small way (1-3 acre) for several years upon the station grounds, 

 securing three cuttings yearly aggregating 3.5 to 4.5 tons of dry 

 hay (15 per cent water). It is his belief that the farmer can afford 

 to give it a trial and he should not be discouraged if success is 

 not at onee attained. The following are important and must be 

 observed : 



1. Do not try to grow it on laud with a hardpan subsoil, or 

 where the water table it within 6 to 8 feet of the surface. It needs 

 well drained land free from hollows that will permit of standing 

 water. 



2. The land must be in a good state of fertility. If necessary, 

 apply a fair dressing of barnyard manure and plow^ in ; then top 

 dress 'with a ton of lime, 1000 pounds basic slag, 300 pounds high 

 grade sulfate of potash and 100 pounds nitrate of soda to the 

 acre. Apply also a few hundred pounds of soil secured from an 

 old alfalfa field. The land should be well fitted, the soil being 

 made almost as fine as for an onion bed. 



•See the excellent article on Clover by W. P. Brooks in report of the State Board of Agiiculture 

 for 1906. 



**For a fuller article on Alfalfa by the Director, see this bulletin, pages 44-46. 



