MISCELLANEOUS VARIETIES OF CLOVER 327 



obtained sown as late as April ist, but when sown 

 late, the number of the cuttings is reduced and the 

 occupancy of the soil by the clover interferes v/ith 

 the growing of other crops. Under American con- 

 ditions, it will doubtless be found that the bestsea- 

 son for sowing Egyptian clover will be just after 

 the removal of the crop that occupied the land in 

 summer. The seed is usually sowed by hand and 

 without admixture, but the Fachl variety is sown 

 in some instances with wheat or barley when seed 

 is wanted. The methods of sowing found suitable 

 for alfalfa would also seem to be proper for sowing 

 Egyptian clover. (See page 78.) As much as 

 one bushel of seed is sown per acre, but it is thought 

 that a less amount will suffice under good methods 

 of tillage. 



Egyptian clover is sometimes pastured, but it has 

 higher adaptation to soiling, because of the softness 

 of the stems. When pastured reasonably close, 

 cropping would probably be preferable, as there 

 would then be less waste from the treading of the 

 plants. Nevertheless, in Egypt considerable quan- 

 tities of the hay are stored for feeding in the sum- 

 mer months when green fodder is scarce. 



Egyptian clover is sometimes made into hay, but 

 it is not essentially a hay plant. Much care is neces- 

 sary when it is being cured to prevent loss in the 

 leaves, and when cured the stems are so brittle that 

 it is difficult to prevent waste in handling the hay. 

 It is pre-eminently a soiling crop, and the greater 

 portion is fed in the green form. From 4 cuttings 

 of the Muscowi variety as much as 25 to 30 tons 



