CROPS AND SOIL IMPROVEMENT 



consideration of its possibilities as a forage crop, 

 it will come into greater popularity as a soil- 

 builder on thin land. It is found usually on land 

 of limestone formation, and shares with other 

 legumes a liking for lime, but it has been grown 

 successfully in regions that are known to have a 

 lime deficiency. 



There are two biennial varieties and one annual. 

 The biennial having white blossoms is the one 

 most commonly seen, but the smaller variety 

 with yellow blossoms is more leafy and palatable. 

 The larger variety is the better fertilizer. 



The seed does not germinate readily, and 20 

 to 30 pounds is used per acre. The soil should 

 be compact, and the seeding can be made in the 

 spring with a cover crop, or in August by itself. 

 Inoculation is necessary if the right bacteria are 

 not present. Soil from an alfalfa field will serve 

 for inoculation. 



An effort should be made to grow sweet clover 

 on all infertile hillsides that are lying bare. It 

 stops washing and paves the way for a sod of 

 nutritious grasses. 



Rye as a Cover Crop. As has been stated 

 elsewhere, the plant that stores nitrogen in its 

 organic matter is most desirable, but the greater 



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