44 THE BOOK OF CORN 



somewhat until they become accustomed to the full 

 heat of the sun. If the nurse crop is cut close to the 

 ground, the sudden removal of the shade will often 

 result disastrously to the clover plants, especially if the 

 season be hot and dry. The earlier the nurse crop can 

 be cut the better, as it removes the protecting shade 

 before the sun attains full summer strength. It has 

 recently been found that by growing a crop of rape 

 in the oat crop, that the rape, growing very rapidly 

 after the oats are harvested, tends to protect the clover 

 plants. All fields so seeded, that have been reported, 

 are said to be very successful in securing a stand of 

 clover. 



If possible, the clover crop should not be cut the 

 first year, but can be cut the second season and the 

 second crop of that year plowed under. This permits 

 the greatest possible development of the root system 

 and of the root tubercles. These root tubercles, with 

 the power of taking nitrogen from the air, are the cause 

 of the direct addition of nitrogen to the soil. The 

 amount of nitrogen that can be added to the soil will 

 depend on the number and size of root tubercles. In 

 other words, it is the object of the clover grower to 

 produce as many root tubercles as possible. 



The second method of seeding clover, i e, in the 

 cornfield after the last cultivation, is often successful 

 and is the source of considerable benefit to the soil 

 where a good growth is secured. The seed is usually 

 sown broadcast just before the cultivator during the 

 last cultivation, so. that it will be covered with moist soil. 

 It should be seeded heavier than ordinary, as part of 

 the seed is lost among the leaves of the corn plants, 

 and under ordinary conditions of soil moisture at this 

 season of the year, a considerable proportion of the 

 seed will not receive moisture enough for germination. 

 If the season is very dry the seed will not germinate, 



