SEEDING BED CLOVER 235 



potatoes or some other hoed crop. When seeded 

 ill this way, the land should be very carefully 

 prepared, and the surface made as fine as pos- 

 sible, in order that germination may be rapid 

 and complete, as well as to provide abundant 

 food near the surface. 



The quantity of seed in this case is about six- 

 teen pounds per acre on the average. On poor 

 lands, more seed must be used. If seeding is too 

 thick, the plants are liable to lodge and thus be 

 badly injured for either forage or hay. When 

 seeded in this way, the seed should be lightly cov- 

 ered, preferably with a weeder, and on light lands 

 rolled with a light roller. In ordinary seasons, the 

 plants will make considerable growth and become 

 well rooted before winter, and the crop usually 

 will be ready to harvest as early in the next 

 season as in the second year if seeded in the old 

 way with grain. 



In many sections, red clover is used as a 

 catch -crop in corn, mainly to serve as a spring 

 pasture and in preparation of the land for wheat. 

 This practice is generally not suitable when the 

 primary purpose is to make soiling crops or 

 hay. In the eastern and central western states, 

 the crop will be ready to harvest about the 

 middle of June, although the time will vary, 

 depending on the season; if dry and warm the 

 crop will mature earlier than if cold and wet. 



