122 AGRICULTURE 



ing value for farm stock as a ton of wheat bran, and more 

 than two-thirds the feeding value of a ton of shelled corn. 



Red clover as a soil renewer. As a soil stimulant and 

 fertilizer red clover is almost without a peer except alfalfa. 

 By its use in the rotation of crops, it is possible to keep 

 the supply of nitrogen and humus almost undiminished in 

 the soil, throughout years of cropping. The bacteria living 

 in the root tubercles transform atmospheric nitrogen into 

 soil nitrogen and leave it for other crops. The roots and 

 stems, decaying, add to the humus. 



At the average price for commercial fertilizers often 

 used to enrich land, a ton of clover is worth nearly ten dol- 

 lars to plow under as a fertilizer. Fields which have been 

 in red clover frequently produce ten bushels more of grain 

 to the acre than before the clover was grown. 



In the use of clover as a fertilizer it must be remem- 

 bered, however, that clover adds to the soil chiefly nitrogen 

 and humus ; and that if the crop is all removed each year, 

 none being plowed under and no manure returned the 

 amount of nitrogen humus in the soil is increased but very 

 little. Potash and phosphorus, two other plant foods often 

 failing in worn soils, must be supplied either by the use of 

 commercial fertilizers or barnyard manure. 



3. The Raising of Red Clover 



Red clover will grow successfully on any soil that will 

 raise corn. Soil that is wet and heavy or lacking in humus 

 will not produce a satisfactory stand of clover. Red clover 

 has a remarkable root system, sending its main roots down 

 as deep as six or eight feet in favorable soil. This enables 

 plants which have received a good start to withstand con- 

 siderable drought. 



The seed bed. The seed bed for clover should be 



