6 LEAFLET 17 6, IT. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



benefit of the clover, and (2) the sedges and rushes are trampled, 

 which also retards their growth, giving the clover more opportunity 

 to spread. When strawberry clover is planted with other grasses and 

 legumes in normal soils it may be grazed at the same time as other 

 pasture plants. 



Utilization 



Strawberry clover is principally a pasture plant, though itjnay be 

 used as a green-manure crop, particularly on soils where salinity pre- 

 vents the growth of other legumes. It is very palatable and is as 

 rich in animal feed units as white clover. When the plants are grown 

 on saline soils the composition of the vegetation is somewhat higher 

 in minerals than when they are grown on salt-free soils, but all avail- 

 able reports have indicated that animals have not been injuriously 

 affected from grazing it. Like other legumes, strawberry clover may 

 cause animals to bloat and necessary preventative measures should 

 be taken. All types of animals and poultry have grazed strawberry 

 clover with good results. Strawberry clover will survive under close 

 grazing similar to the low-growing forms of white clover, but it may 

 be more productive if grazed moderately. Close grazing, on the other 

 hand, will reduce the number of many of the other less desirable plants 

 and in that way will encourage the spread of the clover and the 

 development of a good pasture turf. It has been grazed continuously 

 from early spring until late in the fall without affecting the stand, 

 although rotational grazing would probably favor greater production. 

 With an increase of the salt concentration of the soil to the point 

 where growth is inhibited the advisable practice is to remove the 

 animals until the clover makes additional growth. Close grazing in 

 late fall is not recommended, as such a practice may result in partial 

 "Killing of the stand during the winter months. 



Farmers who have used large acreages for grazing claim that on 

 similar soils the carrying capacity of strawberry clover is far superior 

 to that of other pastures. Many claim that 1 acre will carry from 

 one to two cattle through the entire growing season provided growing 

 conditions are favorable. 



The blossoms of strawberry clover are visited by honeybees. 

 Apparently they obtain considerable nectar, which indicates that this 

 is a good honey plant. 



Seed Production 



Strawberry clover is a prolific seed-producing plant if properly 

 handled. Yields range from 40 to 300 pounds of seed an acre, and 

 higher yields in exceptional cases have been reported, although the 

 production of 100 pounds of seed an acre is more common. 



The flowers of strawberry clover are self-fertile, that is, seed will 

 form without cross-pollination, which is necessary with red clover 

 and white clover. Honeybee visitations from flower to flower, how- 

 ever, are of assistance in insuring a movement of the pollen to the 

 stigma. Placing of colonies of honeybees immediately adjacent to 

 blossoming fields is suggested as a means of increasing seed yields. 



The blooming period of strawberry clover usually begins from 2 to 

 3 weeks later than white clover, and its flowering is completed earlier 

 in the summer. Under most conditions strawberry clover does not 

 bloom until the first year after seeding, ?md thick stands appear to 



