SWEET CLOVER INVESTIGATIONS* 
By Ray E. N^IDIG, Chemist, and Robert S. Snyder, Associate Chemist, Idaho Agri¬ 
cultural Experiment Station, University of Idaho 
COMPOSITION OF SWEET CLOVER HAY AND SILAGE 
Sweet clover has become an important crop in Idaho, not only from 
the standpoint of feeding value, but also because it is finding a place in a 
proper rotation system of cropping which is so necessary for diversified 
farming. Sweet clover is a legume that is comparatively easy to grow in 
all sections of tlie Northwest. Its value as a soil improver is rapidly 
becoming known to progressive farmers both in the humid and semiarid 
regions. As a pasture crop, sweet clover is finding a much needed place 
on the farms of the Northwest. Its resistance to drought and its great 
productiveness under the most adverse conditions warrants a place on 
every farm. Recent indications are that sweet clover is an excellent 
crop for alkali districts when the alkali concentration is too heavy for 
the ordinary hay crops. 
Since sweet clover is finding a place in a permanent agricultural system, 
the following investigation was planned to determine the feeding value 
at various stages of growth, and also to determine the possibility of 
utilizing the crop for silage whenever conditions did not warrant making 
hay. It appeared to the writers that owing to the heavy yields of sweet 
clover that can be obtained on lands that are not adaptable to the growing 
of corn or sunflowers, it would prove an excellent substitute for these 
crops for silage if it could be satisfactorily siloed in Idaho. Consequently 
the two varieties {Melilotus alba) or white, and {Melilotus officinalis), or 
yellow sweet clover, were studied. These two varieties were grown by 
the Agronomy Department in 1920, and were available for use in these 
investigations. 
STAGES SELECTED 
In studying the varieties, two stages were selected for the yellow sweet 
clover. The first stage was the time when the plant was in blossom. At 
this stage the plant was 37 inches in height. In all samplings the yield of 
a definite area was determined, and from this the acre yield was calculated. 
When the plant was partly in blossom and partly in seed it was cut, and 
the authors called this the second stage. 
The samplings of the white sweet clover were made in three stages: 
First, before the plant was in blossom and when it was 49 inches in height; 
second, when the plant was beginning to blossom; and, third, in full 
blossom and when a few seeds were formed. 
The samples were prepared for analysis and for silage by cutting in 
small pieces in a small silage cutter. A portion of the cut sample was 
air dried and then analyzed for protein, ether extract, fiber, ash, and 
nitrogen-free extract. The remaining portion of the sample was used for 
silage. 
' Accepted for publication Nov. 6, 1923. 
Journal of Agricultural Researcb, 
Washington, D. C. 
aco 
Vol. XXIV, No. 9 
June 2, 1923 
Key No. Iclaho-7 
43328-23- 
( 755 ) 
