SOME GENERAL PRINCIPLES 43 



Clover as a Weed Destroyer.— Where clover 



is much grown, at least in some of its varieties, it 

 becomes an aid in reducing the prevalence of many 

 forms of weed growth. It is thus helpful in some 

 instances, because of the number of the cuttings se- 

 cured ; in others because of its smothering tendencies, 

 and in yet others because of the season of the year 

 when it is sown and harvested or plowed under, as 

 the case may be. 



Alfalfa and medium red clover are cut more fre- 

 quently than the other varieties and, therefore, be- 

 cause of this, render more service than these in 

 checking weed growth. The former is cut so fre- 

 quently as to make it practically impossible for most 

 forms of annual weed life to mature seed in the 

 crop. The same is true of biennials and also peren- 

 nials. But there are some forms of perennial weeds 

 which multiply through the medium of their root- 

 stocks that may eventually crowd alfalfa. Medium 

 red clover is usually cut twice a year, hence, in it 

 annuals and biennials cannot mature seed, except in 

 exceptional instances, and because of the short dura- 

 tion of its life, perennials have not time to spread 

 so as to do much harm. 



The clovers that are most helpful in smothering 

 weeds are the mammoth, the medium and the alsike 

 varieties. These are thus helpful in the order 

 named. To accomplish such an end they must grow 

 vigorously, and the plants must be numerous on the 

 ground. When grown thus, but few forms of weed 

 life can make any material headway in the clover 

 crop. Even perennials may be greatly weakened. 



