IENNIAL SWEET CLOVERS are climati- 
cally adapted to practically every part of the 
United States. Classed as a weed only a few 
years ago, Sweet Clover is now considered one of 
the most important legume crops in the United 
States, and can be grown successfully on almost 
every type of soil except acid. 
Practically all Sweet Clover is more or less 
mixed White and Yellow Blossom, and all is of 
equal value for soil improvement. 
Sweet Clover which is predominantly White 
Blossom, makes more hay the first year, where- 
as the Yellow Blossom type, which is predomi- 
nantly Yellow Blossom, makes a better hay 
crop the second year because of finer stems. 
SEEDING SWEET CLOVER 
Before seeding Sweet 
Clover, the soil should be 
tested and if acid, lime 
should be applied. For a 
successful stand, inocu- 
lation with the proper 
commercial inoculant is 
necessary. 
For Spring planting, 
Sweet Clover should al- 
ways be put in with grain 
and is usually broadcast 
at the rate of 10 to 15 lbs. 
per acre. The nurse crop, 
when removed, should be 
cut high enough so as 
not to injure the Sweet 
Clover plants. 
Sweet Clover can be 
seeded alone if condi- 
tions are favorable late 
in the Summer, provided 
Aad AS 13 

c LOVER 
building, it is generally recommended to plow 
the Sweet Clover under in the Spring of the 
second year. 
CORN BELT ROTATION 
An ideal rotation for the Corn Belt, includ- 
ing Sweet Clover, is: 
Ist year—Grain with Sweet Clover 
2nd year—Corn 
In this rotation, Sweet Clover is either pas- 
tured after the grain crop is removed the first 
year, or cut for hay late in the Fall. The second 
year the Spring growth is plowed under in late 
April or early May, and the land planted to 


Sas 
the ground has been 
frequently cultivated for 
weeds. 
. ¢: ees Se oes * ke x Ste Scere 
over like this will just about make “new soil” out of some of 
A growth of Sweet Cl 
our old clay fields. Sweet Clover roots are large, they grow down into the subsoil; 
SWEET CLOVER FOR SOIL IMPROVEMENT 
The most important single use for Sweet 
Clover is as a soil improving crop. It is estimated 
that Sweet Clover sown in the Spring with 
grain and plowed under for Corn in late April 
or early May a year later will return to 
the soil anywhere from 75 to 250 pounds 
of nitrogen per acre, which is approxi- 
mately the equivalent of 20 tons of 
manure per acre. Where grown for soil 
The information in 
this folder is large- 
ly from the publi- 
cations of the Ohio 
Agricultural Exten- 
sion Service. 
they are easy to plow through and decay rapidly. 
Corn. This rotation maintains soil in remark- 
able fertility and ideal physical condition. 
SWEET CLOVER FOR PASTURE 
Sweet Clover seeded with small grain can often 
be pastured from late August to late in the Fall, 
and from early Spring until late August 
of the second year. Its carrying capacity 
is amazing and it usually carries double 
the stock that mixed grass pastures will, 
on the same land Often from one to foyr 


