SWEET GLOVER may be utilized for feeding purposes, as 

 pasturage, hay, or ensilage. With the possible ex- 

 ception of alfalfa on fertile soil, sweet clover, when prop- 

 erly handled, will furnish as much nutritious pasturage 

 from early spring until late fall as any other legume. It sel- 

 dom causes bloat. 



Stock may refuse to eat sweet clover at first, but this dis- 

 taste can be overcome by keeping them on a field of young 

 plants for a few days. 



As cattle crave dry roughage when pasturing on sweet 

 clover, they should have access to it. Straw answers this 

 purpose very well. 



An acre of sweet clover ordinarily will support 20 to 30 

 shotes. 



On account of the succulent growth, it is often difficult, 

 in humid climates, to cure the first crop of the second sea- 

 son into a good quality of hay. 



When seeded without a nurse crop, one cutting of hay 

 may be obtained the first year in the North and two or 

 three cuttings in the South. Two cuttings are often ob- 

 tained in the South after grain harvest. The second year 

 a cutting of hay and a- seed crop usually are harvested. 



Sweet clover should never be permitted to show flower 

 buds before it is cut for hay. It is very important that 

 the first crop of the second season be cut so high that a new 

 growth will develop. When the plants have made a growth 

 of 36 to 40 inches it may be necessary to leave the stubble 

 10 to 12 inches high. 



In cutting the first crop of the second season it is a good 

 plan to have extension shoe soles made for the mower, so 

 that a high stubble may be left. In some sections of the 

 country sweet clover as a silage plant is gaining in favor 

 rapidly. 



This crop has given excellent results as a feed for cattle 

 and sheep. Experiments show that it compares favorably 

 with alfalfa. 



Sweet clover has proved to be a profitable soil-improving 

 crop. The large, deep roots add much humus to the soil 

 and improve the aeration and drainage. As a rule, the yield 

 of crops following sweet clover is increased materially. 



Being a biennial, this crop lends itself readily to short 

 rotations. 



Sweet clover is a valuable honey plant, in that in all sec- 

 tions of the country it secretes an abundance of nectar. 



This bulletin discusses only the utilization of sweet clover. 

 A discussion of the growing of the crop may be found in 

 Farmers' Bulletin 797. 



