SOWING CLOVER 



401 



ment of Agriculture conducted a rather extensive experiment, with 

 different strains of clover, from different sources, in 1905. The data, 

 however, were so variable that no conclusion could be drawn as to 

 the relative merit of seed from different regions. 



Sowing Clover. Red clover seed may be scattered upon the 

 land almost any winter month, from October to April, with reason- 

 able expectation of success. It is, however, very largely sown in 

 March and April. It is considered best to sow it during the 



FIG. 174. Seeds of the clovers. Upper row: Red clover; crimson clover; trefoil; 

 Japan clover. Lower row: White clover; alsike clover; sweet clover; alfalfa. 



spring when alternate freezing and thawing of the soil is taking 

 place. It is usually sown on winter wheat, or with spring grain 

 (Fig. 173). 



Midsummer is the most unfavorable time to sow red clover, as the 

 young plants do poorly during hot, dry weather. 



In the southern States red clover is commonly fall sown. This 

 is good practice as far north as it can be depended on to with- 

 stand the winter. Probably fall sowing is not practical very much 

 north of central Ohio as a regular practice. In central Ohio it 

 should be sown by the first week of August to insure it going through 

 the winter. Compare the seed of red clover with others (Figs. 

 174 and 175). 

 26 



