GARDEN MANUAL FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES. 



73 



Bed Clover. 



When sown by itself, sow 



BED CIiOVEB (Trifoliuin Pratense). — Not only fur- 

 nishes most excellent pasturag-e and fine hay crops, but its 

 g^rowth improves the land and adds humus to the soil 

 wherever it is g^rown. It is the standard hay, pasturagre 

 and soil-improving- crop wherever general farming is 

 practiced. Red Clover will yield crops two or three years 

 from one seeding-, and on g:ood land will yield two cutting-s 

 per year. The first crop makes rich feed, and is the most 

 valuable for hay. The second crop does not make so g-ood 

 a quality of feed. Red Clover should be cut for hay when 

 in full bloom. For hay it is particularly well adapted for 

 sowing- with Orchard and Tall Meadow Oat Grass, as it 

 ripens at the same time, and sowing- these three g-rasses 

 togrether will g-ive largrer yields and better quality of hay 

 than sowing- either alone. One bushel of Orchard Grass, 

 one bushel Tall Meadow Oat Grass and eight pounds of 

 Clover will give excellent results, and if it is desired to 

 use the land for pasturage also, the addition of six pounds 

 of Herds Grass or Red Top will increase the pasturage 

 and the second cutting of hay considerably. When so-wn 

 by itself, sow 10 to 15 pounds per acre, either in the Fall 

 or Spring, or at the last working of corn. 



WHITE DUTCH CZiOVEB. — This is very largely used 

 in lawn and pasturage mixtures, and is indigenous to the 

 .soils throughout the South. It makes a small, close, com- 

 pact growth covering the ground like a carpet. Does well 

 all through the South. Sow either in the Spring or Fall, 

 to 8 pounds per acre; it is 



better, however, sown in mixture with other grasses. 



CBIMSON CIiOVEB. — Farmers all through the Middle 

 Atlantic and Southern States are increasing the acreage 

 of Crimson Clover very materially, as they find it one of 

 the best and most satisfactory of early forage and soil- 

 improving crops. Its greatest value is as a soil-improver, 

 practical farmers maintaining that a crop of Crimson 

 Clover turned under is equal to a good application of 

 stable manure. It costs less to seed per acre than any 

 other similar crop; and the results, in putting the much- 

 needed nitrogen and humus into the soil, are considered 

 superior even to cow peas, or any other known crop 

 throughout this section. The best time for seeding is 

 during July, August or September. It should be sown at 

 the rate of 10 to 20 pounds to the acre. The sowing of 

 Crimson Clover at the last working of corn or other culti- 

 vated crops gives an ideal preparation. In fact, it is surer 

 to get a stand in this way than if the land is freshly 

 plowed and specially prepared, as freshly plowed land is 

 usually too porous, causing the seed to be covered too 

 deeply and not giving the little plant sufficient root-hold 

 after it does start, and a good firm seed-bed is of prime 

 importance to secure a good stand. When crimson Clover 

 is sown by itself, the best preparation is to prepare the 

 land some time previous to the seeding, and then wait for 

 a rain to fall on the prepared soil before sowing the seed. 

 As soon after a rain as the land is dry 

 enough, a light harrow should be run over 

 the soil, in order to break the crust; then 

 sow the clover seed, covering afterwards 

 with a light or brush harrow. If this plan 

 is followed out, it will almost invariably 

 secure a good stand and good crop, no 

 matter what the weather may be after- 

 wards. Crimson clover, in addition to its 

 great value as a soil improver, makes a 

 splendid Winter cover crop, excellent 

 grazing during the late Fall, Winter and 

 early Spring, and is one of the earliest, 

 best and most nutritious crops that can be 

 put in for cutting for early green feed. 

 Crimson Clover also makes a first-class 

 hay crop, provided it is cut just as it is 

 coming into bloom, before the seed forms. 

 It can be used for any of these purposes, 

 grazing, early green feed or hay, and even 

 then the condition and productiveness of 

 the land will be improved to a wonderful 

 extent wherever it is grown. 



AZ.SIKE OB SWEDISH CI.OVEB. — 



(Trifolium Hybridnm). — Alsike Clover 

 grows thicker and is finer in growth than 



White Dutch Clover. 



Red Clover, making better hay and graz- 

 ing. It is also hardier, resisting extremes 

 of heat and drouth and also severely cold 

 weather to a remarkable extent. It suc- 

 ceeds on a variety of soils, light upland 

 loamy lands, as well as stiff bottom lands. 

 The good qualities of Alsike are being 

 rapidly appreciated everywhere. In this 

 section the use of Alsike is growing rapid- 

 ly, not only for sowing by itself, but also 

 in mixture with Red Clover. The seed of 

 Alsike Clover, being much smaller than the. 

 Red Clover, does not have to be sown so 

 thickly, and consequently it costs less to 

 seed an acre. The quantity of seed per 

 acre when sown alone is 10 to 15 pounds. 

 When sown in mixture with Red "Clover, 

 sow 3 pounds Alsike and 8 pounds Red 

 Clover per acre. 



BUBB CI.OVEB. — For South Atlantic 

 and Gulf States this is a most valuable 

 winter grazing crop, growing luxuriantly 

 all througli the winter and until summer. 

 After once being seeded, it reseeds itself 

 and improves in growth and appearance 

 each succeeding year. It is admirably 



All Farm Animals are Fond of Alfalfa, Green or Dry. 



