CRIMSON CLOVER 7 



not to turn them into clover fields for the first time when they are 

 hungry. Bloat is less likely to occur when a mixture of clover and 

 grass or grain is grazed than when the clover alone is grazed. As 

 crimson clover reaches maturity the hairs of the heads and stems be- 

 come hard and tough. When grazed continuously or when fed as 

 hay at this stage of maturity large masses of the hairs are liable to 

 form into hair balls in stomachs of horses and mules. Occasionally 

 the hair balls are responsible for the death of animals. If small 

 amounts of other feeds, particularly roughages, are fed along with the 

 clover, the formation of these balls will be reduced. Cattle, sheep, 

 and swine do not seem to be affected. 



Crimson clover makes excellent hay when cut at the early bloom 

 stage although the yield may be slightly reduced. For maximum 



Figure 5.— Crimson clover provides an abundance of early spring grazing. 



yields it should be harvested in full bloom. The hay is easily cured 

 either in the swath or in the windrow. Fewer leaves are lost and less 

 bleaching occurs in windrowed hay. Although yields as high as 

 2)2 tons per acre are not uncommon on fertile soil, X% to 2 tons is 

 an ordinary production. 



Crimson clover is an ideal green-manure crop. For the best result 

 it should be plowed under 2 to 3 weeks before planting the succeeding 

 crop. This gives sufficient time for decomposition, which is rapid 

 unless the crop is mature when plowed under. Occasionally, strips 

 are plowed in which row crops are planted, allowing the clover between 

 the plowed strips to mature. Seed may be harvested by hand from 

 the clover between the row crop, and the remaining clover straw 

 allowed to mat and serve as a mulch, or the entire plant may be per- 

 mitted to form a mulch. A volunteer seeding may be secured in this 

 way, especially in the northern part of this region, but attempts to 

 follow such a practice should be tried on a small scale until experience 

 is gained. When used in orchards, crimson clover is often allowed to 

 mature, after which it is disked into the soil. Occasionally a volunteer 

 seeding may be obtained in the fall. 



