480 APPENDIX. 



almost wholly upon this useful forage plant. It is said by agricultural 

 writers that the introduction of clover into England created an entire 

 revolution in her agriculture, and when we consider the important part 

 it plays in our own country, we can with difficulty imagine how our an- 

 cestors could farm without it. It is very properly regarded as one of our 

 greatest fertilizers, and certainly by far the cheapest. It loosens the soil 

 and admits the air, sends down its long roots to a great depth, thereby 

 fixing the gasses necessary to enrich the earth, and when these roots decay 

 they form humus, that most important element in the production of food, 

 to the growing plants. Its luxuriant foliage and rapid growth also aid 

 greatly in smothering out weeds and other noxious plants. As a hay plant 

 it is unexcejled when properly cured and housed, its nutritive qualities 

 exceeding that of most other plants, especially in its nitrogenous or flesh- 

 forming principle, and therefore is the best hay for young and growing 

 stock. As a grazing plant for rapid fattening, it is superior to either blue 

 grass or orchard grass, if caution is exercised as to the time and manner 

 of grazing. Nothing is more conducive to the rapid growth and thrift of 

 young animals than a rich and luxuriant growth of clover when in bloom 

 in the spring of the year. The risk of over-feeding by cattle is easily 

 avoided if turned on after the dew is off, and not fed entirely upon it dur- 

 ing rainy weather. 



So great a factor do I regard this valuable forage plant in producing a 

 general improvement in the agriculture of our State that, were I a king, I 

 would issue an edict that no man should be allowed to cultivate the soil 

 who would not, at least once in every five years, sow clover upon the land 

 he cultivates. The manner of seeding is simple and sure. Plow 

 thoroughly and deep in the fall, in order that the frosts of winter may 

 pulverize well. If your land is seeded to wheat, nothing else is necessary 

 iu February or March following, but to carefully distribute about one 

 gallon of seed per acre over the ground. If you wish to seed after oats in 

 spring, or with other grasses, be careful to work the ground to a fine tilth 

 before sowing,' which should be done early enough to give the young 

 plants a start before the sun gets too hot in summer. Clover may be pas- 

 tured lightly in the fall, after sowing, without injury, but is not very nu- 

 tritious until at least a year old or older. I would here give my mode of 

 curing, which has proved with me quite successful, were it not seemingly 

 invidious, as any man worthy to be called a farmer can, by a little experi- 

 ence, quickly learn to make good, sweet clover ; yet there is quite a diver- 

 sity of opinion upon this subject. I will simply add that the very large 

 per centum of water renders it quite liable to heat, and from which.cause 

 it easily becomes damaged. No clover hay can be kept sweet and fra- 

 grant until the juices are sufficiently dried at least to become candied. 



The next upon the list in relation to its value and importance is timo- 

 thy, (phleum pratense.) I shall not class this grass among the grazing 

 grasses, as I regard its merits in this respect so very far inferior to any 



