STRAWBERRY CLOVER 5 



the clover will not make sufficient growth to warrant its use on dry 

 lands. 



Strawberry clover thrives under wide extremes of temperatures 

 ranging from 40° below zero to high summer temperatures, except 

 Shearman's clover, a sparse seed-producing variety of strawberry 

 clover, which is easily winter-killed and seems to thrive better under 

 uniform temperature and growing conditions. 



Strawberry clover has been tested in various places in the Eastern 

 States, and, although good growth has been secured in test plantings, 

 it has not appeared to be capable of competing with white clover 

 under conditions favorable to the latter. Strawberry clover should 

 be more widely tested in low-lying areas and in soils frequently flooded 

 with brackish water. It is believed that where the tall-growing, 

 competing vegetation is kept cut until the clover is well established 

 better success would be obtained. In addition to eliminating the 

 competing vegetation it may be necessary to apply lime and to ferti- 

 lize with phosphate fertilizers in order to get good stands and growth. 



Seedbed Preparation 



Preliminary studies to determine the best methods for seedbed prep- 

 arations and methods of seeding indicate that where possible a seed- 

 bed should be prepared in the fall by plowing or disking thoroughly, 

 followed by harrowing to level and firm the soil. This preparation 

 temporarily destroys the vegetation occupying the land and reduces 

 competition. In places where the soil remains too wet for working 

 the seedbed the vegetation should be mowed and removed in the fall. 

 This should be followed by late winter planting of unhulled seed or 

 early spring planting of scarified seed. 



Seeding should be done early in the spring on a firm, moist seedbed, 

 since tlie~ establishment of strawberry clover seedlings appears to be 

 somewhat slower than that of red or white clover. The seed_ may 

 either be broadcast or drilled in very shallowly. Although good 

 stands have been established by using 2 pounds of seed per acre, a 

 heavier rate up to 5 pounds an acre is more desirable, and this is 

 particularly' true if a thick stand is desired the first year. The 

 present price of seed, however, may limit the practice of seeding at 

 the higher rates. Fortunately, this clover spreads rapidly by the 

 creeping stems, and originally thin^stands may become thick by the 

 erictoFtKe second year 7 particularly if growing conditions are favorable. 

 On nonsaline soils strawberry clover may be spring seeded with a 

 companion grain crop, if an ample supply of moisture is available 

 throughout the season. 



Care After Seeding 



If the seedings are made on a prepared seedbed, it is not often that 

 the other vegetation will crowd out the seedlings and prevent their 

 establishment. When the seed is broadcast, however, without seed- 

 bed preparation, rushes - and sedges are very apt to crowd out the 

 seedlings. Mowing to reduce this competition is, therefore, highly 

 desirable and should be done when necessary. After the seedling 

 plants are well established the areas may be grazed. Tjfazing is 

 very" desirable for two reasons: (1) The grass and sedges are grazed 

 with the grazing of the clover, which reduces the competition to the 



