CULTIVATION OP PLANTS. 



The soil most suitable for the clover crop is a deep sandy 

 loam, which is favourable to its long tap-roots, allowing them 

 to penetrate freely; it will, however, grow on almost any soil, 

 provided it be dry. The most suitable climate for the clover 

 family, is one that is neither very hot, dry nor cold. The 

 majority of leguminous plants delight both in a dry soil and 

 climate, and warm temperature; and clover will be found to 

 produce most seed under such circumstances. The production 

 of seed is only in some situations an object of the farmer's at- 

 tention. A season rather moist, provided it be warm, is al- 

 ways attended by the most bulky crops of clover herbage. 



The preparation of the soil and the manures, which clover 

 receives in the ordinary course of farm-culture, are those de- 

 signed also for another crop. The Farmer's Assistant says, 

 that the best crops with which to sow clover, are barley, oats, 

 and spring (northern) wheat. But in this way it frequently 

 happens, that the seeds do not germinate, in consequence of 

 not being covered. This difficulty can be obviated by a light 

 harrowing, which will also be a benefit to the young growth 

 of wheat, rye, or oats. Unless, however, the soils on which 

 these crops are sown are well pulverized, and have been some 

 years under tillage, clovers will not succeed in them, it being 

 ascertained that newly broken up lays or pasture grounds, can- 

 not be sown down or restored to clovers and grasses till the 

 soil is thoroughly comminuted, and the roots of the former 

 grasses and herbage plants completely destroyed.* 



Sowing. Clover is sown with other grain both in autumn 

 as well as in spring. Some prepare the seed for sowing by 

 steeping in water, and then mixing with powdered gypsum, as 

 a preventive of the attacks of insects. The manner of sowing 

 is generally broadcast. It is frequently sown in spring on the 

 wheat crop sown in the preceding fall, and harrowed in. This 

 process, although many plants are torn up and misplaced, in- 

 stead of injuring, is of advantage to the growing crop of wheat. 

 The depth at which the seed should be buried, depends upon 

 the nature of the soil half an inch may be reckoned the most 

 advantageous position in a clay soil, and an inch in that which 

 is light and friable. It is a very serious error, that small seeds 

 should be sparingly covered. Misled by that error, many 

 farmers cover their clover-seed with a bushy branch, which 

 not only covers it unequally, but leaves a portion on the sur- 

 face to wither in the air. Of clover, from ten to fourteen 

 pounds, and of rye grass, about a bushel, are generally sown to 

 the acre. Sown with barley, along with other seeds, in the 



* Ag. Ency. p. 872. 



