4 LEAFLET 16 0, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



under such crops as cowpeas, soybeans, or lespedeza. In many soils 

 of low fertility the use of 50 to 100 pounds per acre of a nitrogen 

 fertilizer will encourage early seedling growth and establishment. 

 On the fertile soils of this region crimson clover may be successfully 

 grown without fertilizer, but on most soils applications of 200 pounds 

 of phosphate fertilizer per acre are profitable in obtaining stands and 

 vigorous growth (fig. 3). The use of potash is recommended when a 

 deficiency is known to exist. 



Seed Sources 



Of the total amount of seed normally used approximately 60 percent 

 is of foreign origin, coming principally from Hungary and France. 

 Most of the domestic crimson clover seed offered on the market is 

 produced in south-central Tennessee. While white-flowered strains 



Figure 2. — Seeding crimson clover in corn. 



and others differing in maturity have been isolated, they are little 

 used. Claims have been made that locally grown seed is superior to 

 seed from other sources including that of foreign origin. Further 

 experiments are needed to determine whether such differences actually 

 exist. 



Rate and Time of Seeding 



Under ordinary conditions 15 to 18 pounds of hulled seed will give 

 good stands unless there is a deficiency of soil moisture. Depending 

 upon the amount of foreign material 45 to 60 pounds of unhulled seed 

 is comparable to a 15-pound seeding rate of hulled seed. Crimson 

 clover may be sown from the middle of August until October 1 with 

 the expectation of securing a good stand. The later it is seeded the 

 less growth can be expected and the more readily winterkilling occurs. 

 The early establishment of the plants becomes more important as 

 plantings are extended northward. Seeding crimson clover, if possible, 

 either immediately before or following heavy rains will increase its 

 chances of making a stand. The spring planting of crimson clover 



