326 DRY LAND FARMING 



answer to sow clover on the surface, as in humid climates, 

 for then it would not germinate. On very light soils it 

 should be sown more deeply even than 2 inches. 



When red clover of either the medium or mammoth 

 varietes is sown, about 6 pounds per acre should suf- 

 fice. When Alsike is sown, about 4 pounds should be 

 enough, and of the small white or the Japan even 3 

 pounds should answer. 



Care of the crop. If clover is sown in cold areas, it 

 will not answer to pasture it down in the autumn of the 

 year in which it is sown. Where the winters are mild, 

 such pasturing is legitimate. If seed only is to be ob- 

 tained, the crop may sometimes be pastured with ad- 

 vantage in the early spring. It is questionable whether 

 any form of cultivation that could be given to the crop 

 after it has become established would be of much service 

 to the crop. In cold areas the shelter furnished by the 

 stubbles is proportionate to the length of the same. 



Harvesting for hay. Clover of all kinds is ready 

 for being harvested when it is in full bloom. It is, of 

 course, cut with the mower. In a very short time in dry 

 areas, it will be dry enough to rake. If not raked with 

 some promptness, there will be loss of leaves and also 

 injury to the crop from becoming overdry. In such areas 

 curing may generally be completed in the winrow. The 

 crop may be stored in the same way as alfalfa (see p. 318). 



Harvesting for seed. In the absence of experience 

 the discussion of this question cannot be definite or spe- 

 cific. There are good reasons, however, for believing 

 that clover will produce seed more abundantly relatively 

 than hay. Whether in the case of medium red clover it 

 would not be better to take seed from the first crop than 

 to try to grow a second crop is at least an open ques- 

 tion. From the mammoth and the Alsike, the seed 

 must come from the first and only crop produced. 



