34 FORAGE CROPS IN NEBRASKA. 



pasturing, as stock are likely to pull up the bulblets at the base of the 

 stems and thus destroy the crown. It is usually sown, when intended 

 for pasture, with red clover. When used for hay it is also frequently 

 combined with clover, which is very satisfactory for home use, as the 

 clover increases its feeding value. Upon the hay market, however, 

 pure timoth} r brings a higher price than mixed; hence when grown for 

 sale timothy is usuall} r sown alone. 



It may also be remarked that the soil conditions of Nebraska are not 

 suited to the best development of timothy, even .where the rainfall is 

 sufficient, as the soil is of a sandy t} T pe rather than clay. Timothy 

 may be sown in the autumn or spring. If sown alone it is best to sow 

 in the fall, as a full crop can then be obtained the following year. If 

 sown in the spring there is not generally a full crop till the second 

 year and hence some time is lost. It is usual in Nebraska to combine 

 it with clover and sow with a nurse crop, the object of the latter being 

 to obtain more from the land the first year. As the timoth} T and clover 

 ma} r not reach their full development the first season, the grain crop 

 is thrown in for econonry. Where winter wheat is grown it is common 

 to use this as the nurse crop, sowing the timothy and wheat in the fall 

 and the clover the following spring. The wheat and timothy can not 

 be sown mixed in a drill on account of the difference in the size of the 

 seed, but they may be sown at the same time by using a wheat drill 

 having a special attachment. The timothy may be sown in the spring, 

 but in that case should be sown early, about the time the snow is dis- 

 appearing and while the ground is wet. If there is no snow and the 

 ground is dry the timothy is likely to fail. The clover is sown in the 

 spring in either case and later than is suitable for timothy, usually 

 the first part of April. 



The amount of seed used is from 6 to 8 quarts of timothy and 8 to 10 

 pounds of clover. When combined with grain the timothy and clover 

 produce a good growth after the grass is cut, and may be lightly pas- 

 tured the same year. The following year one or more crops of hay 

 may be cut or the field may be pastured, according to circumstances. 

 When timothy is sown alone there is some danger in Nebraska of 

 injur} 7 to the roots after the cuttings, as they may be unduly exposed 

 to the hot sunshine during diy weather. There is less danger of this 

 when clover is used in combination. 



Clovers. 



Red clover (Trifolium pratense), the standard forage legume of the 

 Northeastern States, can be grown in the eastern counties over about 

 the same area as timothy. As clover is usually combined with timo- 

 thy for both pasture and meadow, its cultivation has been considered 

 in connection with the latter plant. In the census returns cited in the 

 introduction to this bulletin mixed timothy and clover are included 



