GARDEN MANUAL FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES. 
Lespedeza is an annual, perpetuating 
itself by means of an abundance of seed 
which mature late in the fall, and sprout 
up as soon as spring begins. It remains 
small and almost insignificant in appear- | 
ance until about the first of July, when it 
begins to grow rapidly, to a height of | 
from six to twenty-four inches, accord- 
ing to the quality of the soil, and the 
amount of moisture. 
for hay about 
to the middle 
one to two or 
of October, yielding from 
more tons per acre. For 
gathering the seed it can be cut from 
the middle of October to the middle of 
November. When the land is well pre- 
pared and properly seeded Lespedeza 
affords a good cutting the first year and 
will re-seed the land, affording good 
erops for from two to three years, with- 
out any expense to the farmer except 
that of running a mower over the land 
once or twice during the summer to keep 
the weeds down. 
Lespedeza is the most easily cured of 
any hay that can be grown in the South, 
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It is ready to cut | 
the middle of September | 
| erop. 
99 
periment Stations of Louisiana and other 
Southern States speak highly of it. It 
has been grown for years in the South 
of France and Germany, with great suc- 
cess and owing to its quick growth it is 
a very desirable variety. As a forage 
plant it may be mowed twice and then 
plowed under, thereby acting as a fertil- 
izer and renovating the exhausted soil. 
In the Southern States Crimson Clover 
should be sown in the months of October 
and November. However, it may be 
sown with good results as late as Janu- 
ary and February and will produce a fine 
The demand for this variety of 
Clover has increased considerably of late 
years. From 10 to 20 pounds should be 
_ sown per acre. 
blossoms 
as far as we know. Cutting it after the | 
dew is off in the morning it can be raked | 
into windrows the same evening. 
The | 
next day it should be put in cocks and | 
allowed to remain a day or two longer, 
when it is hauled to rick or barn. After 
two weeks it is ready for the press and 
market. 
We are told, “To try all things, prove | 
all things, hold fast to that which is | 
_ and instead of being in dense heads, as 
good.” If any one will try feeding his 
stock with well cured, pure Lespedeza 
hay in competition with hay from any 
section of the country, and will hear the 
verdict as to which is best for the stock. 
We have no hesitation in 
the Lespedeza will win out by time. 
Alsike or Swedish Clover. Comes from 
the little province of Alsike in Sweden. 
One of the hardiest varieties known; is 
perennial and does not winter kill; 
stands alike drouth or wet. A great 
favorite with bee-keepers, as it has 
flowers having a sweet and agreeable 
odor and affords excellent forage for 
bees. Sow 5 to 8 pounds to the acre. 
saying that | 
Crimson Clover. Trifolium Incarnatum. | 
Crimson Clover, an annual variety, which 
is a native of a warm climate, has not 
been grown as extensively as it deserves 
to be. 
a forage plant, said to be equally a; good 
for pasturage as well as for mowing and 
to do better in poor worn out soi] than 
any other variety. It certainly has at- 
tracted a great deal of attention in the 
South during past years, and the Ex- 
Shears, Pruning Knives, Pruning Saws, Hedge Shears, Etc. 
It has been highly praised up as | 
Burr Clover. (Medicago Macculata). 
This variety of Clover was brought from 
Chili to California and thence to the 
State~ under the name of California 
Clover. It is often taken for Lucerne, 
which name is wrongly applied. The 
Burr Clover has only two or three yellow 
in each cluster, while the 
Lucerne has many blue blossoms in an 
elongated head. It furnishes good graz- 
ing frem February till April or May. It 
is also good for hay. Sow, hulled, 20 
pounds to the acre; in the burr, 1 bushel 
measure. 
Alfalfa or Lucerne. (Medicago Sativa). 
Alfalfa is a deep rooting perennial plant, 
sending up numerous small clover like 
shoots. The flowers are violet purple, 
in red clover, are in erect racemes. 
seeds are in spirally coiled pods and 
abundantly produced. The roots~ will 
penetrate to a great depth and are known 
to have gone 10 and 12 feet deep in 3 
years growth. It has been recerded as 
sending its roots to a depth of over 50 
feet. Its great rooting accounts for its 
long life and rapid growth, as it con- 
sumes food, moisture and the leach of 
fertilizers from depths entirely beyond 
the action of the drought or heat, which 
have been for years beyond the reach of 
ordinary plants. Where, 50 years ago, 
sage-brush was the only sign of vegeta- 
tion, now fields of green Alfalfa are rais- 
ing the crops of hay to feed sheep, hogs, 
horses and cattle that are, every winter, 
fattened to supply the market. It will 
grow anywhere, from sea level to 7,500 
feet elevation, provided the water does 
not stand close to the surface of the 
ground. It grows best in a rich sandy 
loam, underiaid by a loose and permeable 
subsoil. It is a heavy feeder on lime, 
potash and phosphoric acid, but most 
The 
