24 CLOVERS 



some instances be added to timothy in the mixtures. 

 Some other grasses may also be added under certain 

 conditions, or substituted for timothy or redtop. In 

 certain instances, it has also been found profitable 

 to mix certain of the clovers in addition to adding 

 grass seeds when hay is wanted. The more impor- 

 tant of these mixtures will be referred to when 

 treating of growing the different varieties in 

 subsequent chapters. When growing them, the 

 aim should be to sow those varieties together 

 which mature about the same time. The advantages 

 from growing them together for hay include 

 larger yields, a finer quality of hay, and ■ a more 

 palatable fodder. 



In the past it has been the almost uniform prac- 

 tice to sow alfalfa alone, but this practice is be- 

 coming modified to some extent, and is likely to be- 

 come more so in the future, especially when grown 

 for pasture. 



When sown to produce pasture, unless for one or 

 two seasons, clover seed is sown in various mixtures 

 of grasses in all or nearly all instances. The grasses 

 add to the permanency of the pastures, while the 

 clovers usually furnish abundant grazing more 

 quickly than the grasses. Several of them, however, 

 are more short-lived than grasses usually are, hence 

 the latter are relied upon to furnish grazing after 

 the clovers have begun to fail. In laying down per- 

 manent pastures, the seed of several varieties is usu- 

 ally sown, but in moderate quantities. The larger 

 the number of the varieties sown that are adapted 

 to the conditions, the more varied, the more pro- 



