E. A. Hollowell

“ The most important and difficult part of producing a large crop is getting a stand. Enough soil moisture to sprout the seed and establish the seedlings is the greatest factor in obtaining a stand. When established, common crimson clover usually produces a good crop. ”

“ Frequently a single large application of phosphate and potash fertilizer is sufficient to produce two crops of crimson clover before it becomes necessary to make another application. In some soils the addition of such minor elements as boron may improve growth and increase seed yields. ”

“ Besides being an excellent pasture plant and furnishing plenty of hay, it protects the soil during fall, winter, and spring, prevents soil washing, and provides green manure for soil improvement. This legume has the distinct advantage of producing large quantities of seed that can be easily harvested and sown without the use of expensive machinery. Crimson clover is a native of Europe and is widely grown in France, Hungary, and other central and southern European countries. ”

“ Crimson clover is a heavy seed-producing plant, and yields of 5 to 10 bushels per acre are common, depending upon the thickness of the stand, the extent of growth produced, and the care used in harvesting the seed. The florets are self-fertile, but bees increase the number of seed per head by tripping and transferring the pollen. Placing colonies of honeybees next to blooming fields will increase pollination. [ 8 ] More seed is usually produced on soils of medium fertility than on rich soils, since fertile soils seem to stimulate the growth of stems and leaves rather than develop flower heads. ”

“ When crimson clover is planted in fall the leaves develop from the crown and form a rosette, which enlarges whenever weather conditions are favorable. In spring, flower stems develop rapidly and end their growth with long pointed flower heads. Seed forms and the plant dies with the coming of hot summer weather. The seed is yellow and is about twice as large as red clover seed and more rounded. ”

“ 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. ”

“ As crimson clover shatters easily when ripe, cutting with the mower when the heads are damp with dew or rain is recommended. If it is allowed to stand too long after ripening a beating rain will shatter much of the seed. After a few days of curing, the seed is hulled with an ordinary clover huller, with a grain separator equipped with hulling attachments, or by a combine equipped with pick-up attachments or used as a stationary machine. The less the clover is handled the less seed will be lost by shattering. ”

“ Under ordinary conditions 12 to 15 pounds of hulled seed to the acre will give good stands unless there is lack of soil moisture. Depending upon the quantity of chaff and pieces of stems, 45 to 60 pounds of unhulled seed is comparable with 15 pounds of hulled seed. Crimson clover may be sown from the middle of July until November, depending upon the location, with the expectation of obtaining a good stand. The later it is seeded the less growth can be expected and the more readily winterkilling occurs. Early establishment becomes more important as plantings are extended northward. ”

“ Crimson clover may be made into silage by the same methods as are used for other legumes and grasses. In orchards it is often allowed to mature, after which it is disked into the soil. A volunteer stand from shattered seed may be obtained in fall by using the Dixie variety. ”

“ It will thrive both on sandy and clay soils and is tolerant of ordinary soil acidity. On very poor soils, stands are difficult to obtain and the growth is stunted. The use of phosphate and potash fertilizers and manure on such soils will help to obtain good stands.
Crimson clover may also be grown successfully as a summer annual in northern Maine, Michigan, and Minnesota. Winter culture can be extended into Kentucky, southern Missouri, southern Indiana, and Ohio, provided varieties are grown that are adapted to these sections and the seed is sown in fertile soils early in August. ”

“ Crimson clover does well in cool, humid weather and is tolerant of winter conditions where the temperature does not become severe or too changeable. It may be planted from midsummer to late fall. In the northern part of the region early seeding and growth are necessary for the seedlings to survive the winter. ”

“ Crimson clover makes little growth during cold periods in winter. Under such conditions, to prevent close grazing, it is necessary to remove the animals or shift them to other fields that have not been grazed. ”

“ Other such common names as German clover and scarlet clover are frequently used. In general the leaves and stems resemble those of red clover, but are distinguished by the rounded tips of the leaves and more hair on both leaves and stems. ”