18
THE
CHEM AW A
AM ERICAN
AGRICULTURE FOR GRADES
O U T L I N E D B Y A L B E R T II. G IL L E T T
Teacher o f A g r ic u ltu r e
TH E CLOVER CROP
HE farmer that has learned the importance of the clover
crop in a rotation on his farm is on the road to suc
cessful agriculture. The clovers may be divided into
four classes, annuals, biennials, triennials and peren
nials. The Scarlet, or Crimson, clover is an annual.
It is a valuable green manure crop. It may be sown
by itself in the early fall, but it is a better policy to
sow it at the last cultivation of late potatoes (the potatoes should be
dug with fork, turning the hill over in place, that as few clover plants
as possible are injured), corn, kale, and many garden crops. Some
gardeners have learned the value of this as a green manure. Sow from
fifteen to twenty pounds of seed per acre. It will be ready to cut or
plow under in May. Crimson clover will grow on soils where other
clovers fail.
The Red, or Broadleaf, clover is a biennial. This variety isextensivelv
used throughout the United States. It grows best on loams and heavy
soils that are well supplied with water, but not wet. Sow from twelve
to twenty pounds of seed per acre. I find that it does well here when
sown wlnth oats in February or March. Sow broadcast ahead of the
grain seeder, that the clover seed will be well worked into the soil At har
vest time, cut the oats high and follow the binder with the mowing ma
chine. rile stubble forms a mulch and the leaf surface of the plants is
reduced to save moisture that is much needed at this time of the year.
Alsike, or Swedish, clover is a triennial. It does well on moist, cool
land, either for hay or pasture. It is also a fine bee plant. As a hay it
is of the best. It is very fine and soft and is all consumed by stock,
while the coarse stems of some varieties are rejected. Good results are
obtained by sowing this and mammoth clover together. The seed is
smaller than some other clovers. Sow fifteen pounds per acre. Care
should taken not to cover deeply. Sow broadcast on the surface and
trust to the rains to cover the seed.
The White, or Dutch, clover is a perennial that bears its small fragrant
white heads on stems which grow at or along the surface of the ground.
This stem also sends out roots as it spreads. This clover is useful for
pasture, bees, and lawns. It is very hardy and spreads rapidly when
once established. It withstands parturing and is much prized bv the