14 CLOVERS 



ing clover, since in these soils the lack is more one of 

 humus than of plant food. The application of farm- 

 yard manure will answer the same purpose, if it can 

 be spared for such a use. 



Other soils are so acid that clovers will not grow 

 on them until the acidity is corrected, notwithstand- 

 ing that plant food may be present in sufficient quan- 

 tities. Such are soils, in some instances at least, that 

 have been newly drained, also soils that grow such 

 plants as sorrels. This condition will be improved 

 if not entirely corrected by the application of lime. 

 On such soils this is most cheaply applied in the 

 air-slaked form, such as is used in plastering and 

 in quantities to effect the end sought. These will 

 vary, and can only be ascertained positively by ex- 

 periment. 



Usually it is not necessary to apply much farm- 

 yard manure in order to induce growth in nearly 

 all varieties of clover, and after free growth is ob- 

 tained, it is not usually necessary to supply any sub- 

 sequently for the specific purpose named. In some 

 soils, however, alfalfa is an exception. It may be 

 necessary to enrich these with a liberal dressing of 

 farmyard manure to insure a sufficiently strong 

 growth in the plants when they are young. Hav- 

 ing passed the first winter, further dressings are not 

 absolutely essential, though they may prove helpful. 



Farmyard manure applied on the surface will al- 

 ways stimulate the growth of clovers, but it is not 

 common to apply manure thus, as the need for it is 

 greater in growing the other crops of the farm. 

 When thus applied, it should be in a form somewhat 



