THE cultivation of sweet clover should be preceded by a 

 thorough knowledge of the requirements for obtaining 

 a stand. 



The white species comprises a very large percentage of the 

 present acreage of sweet clover. 



Annual yellow sweet clover should be sown in no portion 

 of the United States except the South and Southwest, and then 

 only as a cover or green-manure crop. 



Sweet clover is being cultivated in practically every State 

 in the Union. At the present time the largest acreage is found 

 in the western North-Central States and in the Mountain 

 States. 



Sweet clover is adapted to a wider range of climatic condi- 

 tions than any of the true clovers, and possibly alfalfa. 



Sweet clover will grow on practically all soil types to be 

 found in this country, provided the soil is not acid and is well 

 inoculated. 



Sweet clover is more drought resistant than alfalfa or red 

 clover. It is quite resistant to alkali. 



The lime requirement of sweet clover is as high as that of 

 red clover or alfalfa. Maximum growth is obtained only on 

 soils that are not acid. 



Sweet clover usually will respond to applications of fer- 

 tilizers and manure. 



In the more humid sections of the country good stands 

 usually are obtained by seeding with a nurse crop. 



Only seed which germinates 75 per cent or more should be 

 sown in the spring of the year unless the rate of seeding is 

 increased to make up for poor germination. 



Sweet clover does best when seeded on a well-firmed seed 

 bed which has only sufficient loose soil on the surface to 

 cover the seed. 



It is very essential that inoculation be provided in some 

 form if success is to be expected. 



The large number of failures in obtaining a stand of sweet 

 clover are due primarily to acid soils, lack of inoculation, and 

 seed which germinates poorly. 



Spring seedings in general are satisfactory, but in the South 

 excellent stands are obtained from midwinter seedings also. 

 Fall seedings are usually successful south of the latitude of 

 southern Ohio. 



A Farmers' Bulletin (No. 820) on the utilization of sweet 

 clover for pasture, hay, and as a green manure is about to 

 be issued. 



