E. A. Hollowell

“ The most important and difficult phase of successful production of crimson clover is getting a stand. Sufficient soil moisture to germinate the seed and to establish the seedlings is the greatest factor in obtaining a stand, which when established usually produces a good crop. ”

“ Crimson clover is a prolific seed-producing plant and yields of 5 to 10 bushels per acre are common, depending upon the thickness of the stand, the amount of growth that is produced, and the care exercised in harvesting the seed. The florets are self-fertile, but bees are effective in tripping and transferring the pollen, with a consequent increase in the number of seed per head. The placing of colonies of honeybees adjacent to blooming fields will effectively increase pollination. ”

“ Crimson clover makes excellent hay when cut at the early bloom stage although the yield may be slightly reduced. For maximum yields it should be harvested in full bloom. The hay is easily cured either in the swath or in the windrow. Fewer leaves are lost and less bleaching occurs in windrowed hay. Although yields as high as 21⁄2 tons per acre are not uncommon on fertile soil, 11⁄2 to 2 tons is an ordinary production.
Crimson clover is an ideal green-manure crop. ”

“ Of the total amount of seed normally used approximately 60 percent is of foreign origin, coming principally from Hungary and France. Most of the domestic crimson clover seed offered on the market is produced in south-central Tennessee. While white-flowered strains and others differing in maturity have been isolated, they are little used. Claims have been made that locally grown seed is superior to seed from other sources including that of foreign origin. ”

“ Under ordinary conditions 15 to 18 pounds of hulled seed will give good stands unless there is a deficiency of soil moisture. Depending upon the amount of foreign material 45 to 60 pounds of unhulled seed is comparable to a 15-pound seeding rate of hulled seed. Crimson clover may be sown from the middle of August until October 1 with the expectation of securing a good stand. The later it is seeded the less growth can be expected and the more readily winterkilling occurs. The early establishment of the plants becomes more important as plantings are extended northward. ”

“ The seed may be either drilled or broadcast, but drilling will give more uniform stands.
Fertilizers
When the crop is planted on extremely poor soils, good stands and growth cannot be expected. Such soil conditions may be improved by the application of manure and phosphate fertilizers or by turning [Pg 4] under such crops as cowpeas, soybeans, or lespedeza. In many soils of low fertility the use of 50 to 100 pounds per acre of a nitrogen fertilizer will encourage early seedling growth and establishment. ”

“ Crimson clover is a native of Europe and is widely grown in France, Hungary, and other central and southern European countries. Seed was introduced into this country as early as 1819, but it was not until 1880 that the plant became of agricultural importance. During the last 6 years the annual commercial consumption of seed in the United States has ranged from 2 to 4 million pounds. In addition, large quantities of home-grown seed are used and handled from farm to farm. ”

“ After the grain crop is removed the soil is plowed or disked and allowed to settle. This is followed by light harrowing or disking when necessary to kill weed seedlings. Before the clover is seeded the soil should be firmly packed, because a loose cloddy seedbed is the forerunner of failure. ”

“ As crimson clover reaches maturity the hairs of the heads and stems become hard and tough. When grazed continuously or when fed as hay at this stage of maturity large masses of the hairs are liable to form into hair balls in stomachs of horses and mules. Occasionally the hair balls are responsible for the death of animals. ”

“ Such crops are seeded from one-half to one-third the normal crop rate and the crimson clover is seeded at the normal rate. Planting is done [Pg 6] at the same time, but, as a greater depth is required for most of the seed of the companion crops, two seeding operations are necessary. In Tennessee, farmers often use a mixture of 5 pounds of red clover and 10 pounds of crimson clover per acre with excellent results. The first growth of the mixture may be grazed or harvested for hay or for crimson clover seed, while the second crop is wholly red clover. ”