CRIMSON CLOVER 3 



the advent of hot summer weather. The seed is yellow, slightly larger, 

 and more rounding than red clover seed. 



Adaptation 



Crimson clover is adapted to cool, humid weather and is tolerant 

 of winter conditions where the temperature does not become severe 

 or too variable. In this region (fig. 1) it should be planted in late 

 summer or early fall, since early establishment and growth are favor- 

 able to its winter survival. It will thrive on both sandy and clay 

 soils and is tolerant of ordinary soil acidity. On extremely poor soils, 

 stands are difficult to obtain and the growth is stunted. The use of 

 manure and phosphate fertilizers on such soils will improve the chances 

 of obtaining goocl stands. 



Crimson clover may also be successfully grown as a summer annual 

 in Maine, northern Michigan, and Minnesota. The winter culture 

 of this clover may be extended into Kentucky, southern Missouri, 

 and southern Indiana provided the seed is sown in fertile soil early 

 in August. Production may be successfully extended southward 

 with an increase of soil fertility and with seeding delayed until soil- 

 moisture conditions are favorable. 



Seedbed Preparation 



The most important and difficult phase of successful production of 

 crimson clover is getting a stand. Sufficient soil moisture to germinate 

 the seed and to establish the seedlings is the greatest factor in obtain- 

 ing a stand, which when established usually produces a good crop. 



Seedings are usually made in late August or early September be- 

 tween the rows of cultivated crops. Under such conditions an ideal 

 seedbed is difficult to prepare, therefore careful preparation is neces- 

 sary. Furthermore, the crop plants in the row shade the clover seed- 

 lings and seriously compete with them for the available moisture. 

 Increasing the distance between the rows and planting the row crop 

 more thinly will afford better opportunity for the establishment of 

 the clover. When planted between the rows of other crops, the seed 

 is usually broadcast on the surface and covered by cultivating or 

 harrowing (fig. 2). Drilling the seed after the soil surface has been 

 stirred will usually give more complete stands than broadcasting, and 

 it may be done with a small one-horse drill. The seed should not be 

 planted more than one-half to three-fourths of an inch deep, respec- 

 tively, in clay and sandy soils. 



Crimson clover is often seeded following a grain crop, and this is a 

 surer method of establishing a stand than planting between the rows 

 of cultivated crops, providing the seedbed is well prepared. After the 

 grain crop is removed the soil is plowed or disked and allowed to 

 settle. This is followed by light harrowing or disking when necessary 

 to kill weed seedlings. Before the clover is seeded the soil should be 

 firmly packed, because a loose cloddy seedbed is the forerunner of 

 failure. The seed may be either drilled or broadcast, but drilling will 

 give more uniform stands. 



Fertilizers 



When the crop is planted on extremely poor soils, good stands and 

 growth cannot be expected. Such soil conditions may be improved 

 by the application of manure and phosphate fertilizers or by turning 



