TIMOTHY AND CLOVER 85 



ing in nitrogen from the air in the soil. Because of 

 the fertilizing value of clover, it is the forage crop 

 which is most often used in rotation plans. 



Kinds of clover. A true clover has each leaf made 

 up of three leaflets, and the flowers are grouped to- 

 gether in bunches or heads. There are four kinds of 

 clover grown by farmers. These are red, crimson, 

 white, and alsike clovers. The red, crimson, and alsike 

 clovers are used for hay and pasture. Crimson clover is 

 also frequently used as a cover crop for orchards. The 

 white clover is used for pastures and lawns. Red 

 clover is by far the most important of the clovers. A 

 number of legumes, as sweet clover, Florida clover, 

 beggarweed, and Japan clover are called clovers, 

 but they are not true clovers. 



The crimson clover is an annual plant, therefore the 

 seed must be sown every year. Red clover is a biennial 

 plant ; that is, it lives for two years ; but under favorable 

 conditions it may live longer. Some of the clovers 

 are perennial, living several years. 



Clover grows best on good, well-tilled, and sweet 

 soil. Sometimes acids sour the soil ; and clover will 

 not grow until lime has been added to destroy the acid 

 and thus sweeten the soil. 



QUESTIONS 



1. What is the leading hay crop of the United States? 



2. What qualities of timothy make it a good hay ? 



3. Why is clover of such great importance to the farmer ? 



