254 
Clovers 
The clovers make good cover crops and 
in this section of the country are more 
generally used than anything else. Some 
prefer the mammoth clover on account of 
its making a larger growth. Others prefer 
the common red clover, while still others 
pin their faith in alsike. Crimson clover 
is largely used and in sections where it 
may be depended upon to stand the win- 
ter, is undoubtedly the best of its class. It 
is a very rapid grower, but in most sec- 
tions of New England it is likely to win- 
ter-kill and for this reason is not gener- 
ally recommended. The safest plan prob- 
ably is to mix together two or more kinds, 
always including a little crimson. Some 
growers prefer to mix in a little turnip 
seed. The turnips grow rapidly and pro- 
tect the young clover plants from the hot 
sun. A suitable mixture may be made up 
as follows: 
Mammoth clover .......2......:...-:--- 6 pounds 
CrimMSon CLOVE ....2......eeeeseeeeteeeeeen 6 * 
Alsike Glover ........-....---.ccnecececenseees 3. CO 
Cowhorn turnips ...... ee 3 ounces 
Alfalfa is so exacting in its require- 
ments and so slow in starting its growth, 
that it is seldom used for cover crop pur- 
poses, except in combinations. 
A close examination of the orchard soils 
of New England reveals a marked de- 
ficiency in vegetable matter or humus. 
There is no more effective way of increas- 
ing the amount of humus and the ultimate 
fertility of the soil than by the judicious 
use of cover crops. 
Any crop that is sown in the orchard for 
the purpose of turning under in the spring 
is called a cover crop, and should not be 
confused with what is commonly called a 
“catch crop,” which is grown to be har- 
vested. Catch crops are commonly and 
profitably grown in young orchards be- 
fore the trees require the whole area. 
Quantity of Seed Per Acre 
vonanetencersnentnnonces 12 pounds 
12 ¢é 
Common red clover..................- * oe 
Alsike CloOV@r .o.i.0...cececeeccccceceeeeeneee 12 =“ 
Crimson ClOVEN ooo... .ceeccececeecceeeee 15 “ 
Alfalfa, esse cceeneecersceeeeeen a 20 * 
COW PCOS ooo. eeeceeccececcessennnenencene 90 * 
SOY DEANS oo. eeeeneeeneceneeee 90 * 
FLOPS@ D@ANS .0oooeo. ee ceeceeeececennceceeeee 90 “* 
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 
Hairy or winter vetch 
50 pou 
Summer veteh ......00. 2... 60 p winds 
Canada peas ........ _. 90 « 
RY C6 ooccecneeecncneeeecececeneeeneeces . 90 « 
Buckwheat ........ ese. oe -... 60 « 
RADC ..-ceeeeceeeceence nec eneesceeeees .. § « 
TUPMiIPS 22... eee cee eeee 1 pound 
In the selection of a cover crop there 
are sO Many matters to be considered that 
some of them are likely to be overlooked, 
The following score card may serve to 
keep the various points in mind and to 
give some idea of their relative impor. 
tance: 
Score Card for Cover Crops 
Chemical influence: 
(a) Addition of plant food .... 10 
(b) Retention of plant food (that 
used in growth and that saved 
from washing) ........ Jee 15 
(c) Influence on nitrification we. 5 
Physical Influence: 
(a) Addition of humus .... .... 10 
(b) Mechanical influence (action ‘of 
TOOTS) — ceeeseeceeeeeceee wee . 10 
(c) Effect on soil moisture ‘(its in- 
fluence on the retentive power 
of the soil and its ability to 
utilize the surplus moisture 
in late summer and to hold the 
snow and rain in winter and 
early Sprimgy) ooo... eeeeececeoees 10 
Protective Influence: 
(a) Protection to roots from injuri- 
ous freezing and thawing (ist, 
by the growth of vegetation; 
2nd, by its ability to hold the 
snow and leaves) ................ cee 10 
(b) Protection to fruit (by serving 
as a cushion for windfalls)... 5 
General Considerations: 
(a) Adaptability (to soil, 
purpose, etc.) 
(b) Reliability (its ability to pro- 
duce a good cover under vary- 
ing and adverse conditions).... 10 
(c) Cost of Seeding...............eeeceeecereeene 
C. D. Jarvis, 
Storrs, Conn. 
Canada Field Pea as a Cover Crop in 
the Rogue River Valley 
The Canada field pea is one of the most 
promising of the leguminous crops for or- 
chards—to meet conditions in the Rogue 
river valley, namely, delayed rains in the 
fall and the probability that plowing will 
have to be done in March. 
My experience is limited to a single crop 
and to a few volunteer plants. I plowed 
climate, 
Sweetener 
