CHAPTER VII 



CRIMSON CLOVER 



Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum) is also 

 known by the names French, German, German 

 Mammoth, Italian, Egyptian and Carnation clover. 

 In America it is common in certain areas to speak 

 of it as winter clover, from the greater powers of 

 growth which it possesses at that season as compared 

 with other clovers. 



The plants have an erect habit of growth, and yet 

 they are soft and hairy, and they have much power 

 to stool. More than loo stems have been produced 

 by one plant, but under conditions the most favor- 

 able. The leaves are numerous. The heads are ob- 

 long, cylindrical, and considerably cone-shaped, and 

 are from i to 2 inches long, and much larger than 

 those of medium red clover. The bloom is scarlet 

 or crimson and of the richest dye; hence, a more 

 beautiful sight is seldom seen than that of a vigorous 

 crop of crimson clover in full bloom. The average 

 height of the plants may be put at about 18 inches, 

 but they have been grown to the height of 3 and 

 even 4 feet. The root growth is fully twice that of 

 the stems. The roots are strong, go down straight 

 into the soil, and are to some extent branched. 



Crimson clover is an annual, although usually the 

 growth covers a part of two years. Sown in the 



