Crimson Clover, 
Bokara or Sweet Clover 
There are three varieties of Sweet Clover 
that are best known — White Sweet Clover, 
Biennial (Melilotus Alba), Yellow Sweet 
Clover, Biennial (Melilotus Officinalis), and 
a small Yellow Sweet Clover and Annual 
(Melilotus Indica). 
Of these three varieties the White is con- 
sidered the best in this section. It takes 
hold quicker, is hardier and makes the best 
growth. 
The Biennial Yellow is used extensively, 
but not so much as the White! 
The Yellow Annual is not so desirable as 
the other two. 
Sweet Clover can be grown in all sec- 
tions of the United States, and it has been 
proven that in many sections it is of value 
as a farm crop. It thrives on poor clay and 
poor sandy soil, but does best on limestone 
soil. On poor soils and where it is uncom- 
mon, the seed should be inoculated at the 
time of sowing. As the bacteria at the 
roots of the Sweet Clover can inoculate Al- 
falfa, it makes it a valuable crop where 
Alfalfa is lo be sown later. 
Sweet Clover must have a firm, well-pre- 
pared seed-bed. It does best after corn on 
ground that does not need to be plowed, 
using a disc or spike-tooth harrow to cover 
the seed. It can be sown either in Spring 
or Fall, and does best when sown alone; 
20 to 30 pounds of hulled seed, or 30 to 40 
pounds of unhulled, are sown to the acre. 
It is a vigorous grower and soil-improver, 
especially on poor, wornout land, where an 
Ordinary crop will not grow. As with Al- 
falfa and Cow Peas, stock may not eat it 
readily at first; but, from the amount that 
is being fed in many states, it is apparent 
that their dislike is overcome. Sweet Clover 
disappears under ordinary mowings, as it 
lasts only two years under such conditions* 
but if left to seed itself, will last ten to 
fifteen years. 
The Yellow Sweet Clover (M. officinalis) 
makes less forage than the White (M. 
alba). 
Crimson Clover 
(Trifolium incarnatum) 
Farmers all through the middle Atlantic and 
south-central States are Increasing the acreage 
of Crimson Clover very materially, as they find 
it one of the most satisfactory of early forage 
and soil-improving crops. Its greatest value is 
as a soil-improver, practical farmers maintain- 
ing 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 sim- 
ilar crop; and the results in putting the much- 
needed nitrogen and humus into the soil are con- 
sidered superior even to eowpeas, or any other 
known crop throughout this section. 
The best time for sowing is during August, 
September and October. It should be sown at 
about the rate of 15 pounds to the acre. 
Seradella 
An annual adapted to poor and sandy soils. 
Equal to red clover in nutritive qualities and 
yields larger crops. Sow in Spring 15 to 20 lbs. 
per acre with grain for a nurse crop. 
To Insure a Stand of Clover 
If you have had difficulty in securing a stand 
of Clover it is probably due to the soil being sour 
(acid). This can be remedied by the use of 
crushed limestone. The Experiment Station rec- 
ommends two tons to the acre for ordinary clover, 
and four tons for Alfalfa. 
The soil can be tested for acidity by the use 
of ordinary litmus paper, procurable at any drug 
store. Take a handful of moist earth, insert the 
blue litmus paper; if it turns pink, the soil is 
acid and needs treatment. 
Sanfoin 
(Esparcetto Clover) 
A little known variety of special value for 
light, dry, sandy or limestone soils. Is a good 
fodder plant. Usually sown with oats or barley, 
using 30 or 40 lbs. of seed to an acre. 
Burr Clover 
This Clover is valuable in the South for forage 
and enriching the soil. Like the other Clovers, it 
is a nitrogen gatherer, gathering the nitrogen 
from the air and storing it in the soil for the 
benefit of future crops. Sow 20 pounds to the 
acre of hulled seed any time from the last of 
August to the middle of November. The second 
year it makes the best pasturage for hogs, or for 
cattle from February to late in April, after which 
it can be allowed to grow for hay or a seed crop 
and be taken off the ground in time for Millet 
or Cane. It should not be planted too deep, but 
more than three-quarters of an inch. 
Florida Clover or Beggar Weed 
(Desmoeium Molle) 
Beggar Weed is especially recommended as 
forage crop and a soil improver for 
the thin sandy lands and pine bar- 
rens of the South. Makes a vigorous 
growth, 2 to 5 ft. high, makes a large 
yield of pasturage and hay, nearly 
equal in nutritive value to cow pea 
hay. May be sown any time after 
frosts are over until middle of June. 
Sow in drills 3 ft. apart, 3 to 4 pounds 
to the acre or broadcast 10 to 12 
pounds per acre. Cover 1 to 2 ins. 
May be cut for hay or green feed 
when 2 ft. high and will produce suc- 
cessive crops branching from roots. 
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