• Plant adapted, disease-resist- 

 ant varieties. 



• Lime and fertilize the soil for 

 vigorous stand growth. 



• Cut the stand at the proper 

 time. 



Nematodes, and some of the root 

 and crown rots, can be controlled 

 fairly effectively by crop rotation. 



SEED PRODUCTION 



While the first crop of the second- 

 year stand is usually harvested 

 for hay or silage, the second crop 

 may be harvested for seed. 



In most areas, it is necessary to 

 pollinate with honey bees. Two to 

 three strong colonies of bees per acre 

 are usually sufficient. 



The best seed yields occur when 

 there is an abundance of bees, when 

 soil fertility and moisture are ade- 

 quate to promote good growth, and 

 when the weather is warm and clear 

 during the flowering period. 

 Cloudy, rainy weather for pro- 

 longed periods, or lack of soil fer- 

 tility and moisture reduces flower- 

 ing and retards bee visits. 



Harvest the seed crop when the 

 greatest number of the seed heads 

 are brown, usually 25 to 30 days 

 after full bloom. 



Cut the seed crop with a mower. 

 Let it cure in the swath or in small 

 windrows. During showery weath- 



er, the mowed crop cures better in 

 swaths than in windrows. Wind- 

 rowing is better during clear, warm 

 weather because it reduces harvest- 

 ing losses. Handle the cut crop as 

 little as possible; each handling 

 causes shattering losses. 



Harvest the swathed or wind- 

 rowed crops with a combine 

 equipped with a pickup attachment. 

 Operate the combine carefully to 

 do a good harvesting job and to 

 reduce harvesting losses. Travel 

 at the correct rate of forward speed 

 and properly adjust the cylinder 

 clearance, the cylinder speed, and 

 the air blast. For instructions, see 

 your operator's manual. 



Seed harvested during periods of 

 high humidity or after showers may 

 contain too much moisture or parts 

 of leaves and stems for safe storage. 



Artificial drying or drying by 

 spreading the seed thinly on a floor 

 may improve the quality of the seed. 



When the seed is spread thinly on 

 a floor, it should be turned every 

 few days until it is completely dry. 

 Rough cleaning immediately after 

 combining reduces the drying time 

 and improves seed quality. 



Defoliating the red clover with 

 chemicals is usually ineffective, It 

 can be detrimental if the weather 

 does not remain sunny and dry from 

 the time the chemical is applied 

 until the seed is combined. 



Washington, D.C. 



Issued November 1964 



For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office 

 Washington, D.C, 20402 - Price 5 cents 



U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1964 O — 737-452 



