332 CLOVERS 



Since the stems of yellow clover plants become 

 tough as the season of growth becomes considerably 

 advanced, where it forms a considerable proportion 

 of the pasture the aim should be to graze most heav- 

 ily during the early part of the season. The plants 

 do not make much growth during the autumn. It 

 would probably be correct to say that it can grow 

 under conditions more dry than are suitable for white 

 clover, and, consequently, it is more uniformly 

 prominent in evidence in permanent pastures when 

 it has become established. 



Yellow clover is not a really good hay plant, 

 owing to its lack of bulkiness. But in some soils its 

 presence may add considerably to the weight of a 

 crop of hay, of which it is a factor. 



This plant produces seed freely. The seeds are 

 dark in color and weigh 60 pounds to the bushel. 

 The seed matures early, usually in June or July, ac- 

 cording to locality. The methods of harvesting, 

 threshing and preparing the seed for market are 

 substantially the same as those adapted in handling 

 small white clover. ( See page 272. ) 



While yellow clover is not the equal of the small 

 white clover in adaptation to our conditions, it 

 would seem that there are no reasons why it should 

 not be sown to a greater extent than it is sown under 

 American conditions. A plant that is so hardy, that 

 provides a considerable quantity of reasonably good- 

 pasture, that stores nitrogen in the soil, and that,, 

 moreover, does not stay in the soil to the extent of ■ 

 injuring crops that follow the breaking up of the 

 pastures, should certainly be encouraged to grow. 



