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



at the same time, but, as a greater depth is required for most of the 

 seed of the companion crops, two seeding operations are necessary. 

 In Tennessee, farmers often use a mixture of 5 pounds of red clover 

 and 10 pounds of crimson clover per acre with excellent results. The 

 first growth of the mixture may be grazed or harvested for hay or for 

 crimson clover seed, while the second crop is wholly red clover. 



Figure 4.— Crimson clover and rye, an excellent green-manure combination. 



Diseases and Insects 



The only serious disease that affects crimson clover is stem rot. 

 The effect of this disease is seen in the early spring and is character- 

 ized by the plants dying in patches. The stems rot at the surface of 

 the soil or where they join the crown. The occurrence of continued 

 damp cool weather during early spring favors the development of the 

 disease. Exclusion of clover and other legumes from the rotation for 

 a period of 2 to 5 years is the best control method. 



Sandy soils in the southern part of the crimson clover belt are often 

 infested with nematodes. Nematode injury results in a stunting and 

 yellowing of the plants and is most prevalent in the southern part of 

 the region. While the clover-seed chalcid, the pea aphid, and other 

 insects sometimes become numerous in crimson clover, insects do not 

 ordinarily cause appreciable damage. 



Utilization 



Crimson clover grows rapidly in early spring and furnishes an 

 abundance of early grazing (fig. 5). If planted early and an abundant 

 fall growth is made, the clover may also be grazed during the fall and 

 winter months. Such a practice has been successfully followed in 

 Tennessee, where crimson clover has provided the winter pasturage. 

 The grazing, however, should be restricted to periods when the soil 

 is relatively dry, otherwise damage may result from trampling. Ani- 

 mals grazing on crimson clover seldom bloat; however, it is advisable 



