June 2, 1923 
Sweet Clover Investigations 
799 
In both varieties the first stage contained the larger percentage of 
water, as was expected. The later cuttings were higher in dry matter. 
The only significant fact shown (Table I) is that the nitrogen or crude 
protein decreased and the crude fiber increased, the longer the sweet 
clover was allowed to grow. This is true for both varieties and clearly 
demonstrates that if the sweet clover is to be used for hay the early 
cutting should be chosen rather than the later stage. For silage purposes 
this conclusion is equally true, for there is slightly less crude fiber and a 
slightly higher percentage of protein in the earlier stages of cutting. 
The acidity determinations show that a normal silage fermentation 
takes place when sweet clover is siloed. The silage samples all had the 
characteristic silage acids and odor and were classed as excellent silage. 
It is not the purpose of this paper to advise the growing of sweet 
clover for silage rather than com or sunflowers, but under certain condi¬ 
tions it is thought that sweet clover can be so used to advantage. In its 
use as a pasture crop one of the chief difficulties encountered is to pasture 
sufficient stock upon the sweet clover to keep down the growth. In 
many cases the sweet clover grows so rapidly that the growth exceeds 
the pasture requirements and a portion of the sweet clover attains a 
considerable height. It is thought that in such conditions, where the 
crop may not make the best hay, it can well be used for silage, since the 
stalks, if they have been allowed to become too mature, will soften up 
materially in the silo. Two purposes have been accomplished when a 
sweet clover crop from pasture land has been used in this manner. First, 
the food value of the excess growth has been saved and, second, the 
pasture has been improved by removing the excess growth, and new 
tender shoots will appear. 
The fact that sweet clover is a legume and acts as a soil improver and 
gives a comparatively high yield of green material under the most adverse 
conditions of drought, tends to make it a promising crop for the silo in 
many parts of the Northwest. 
