J. M. Westgate

“ The principal justification of seeding such a quantity and at varying depths lies in the fact that in case a dry season develops after seeding the more deeply covered seeds will be able to withstand the drought better than those covered to a medium depth. If an unusually wet season develops, the shallow-planted seeds will give the best results. Moreover, some of the seed will fail to germinate. It is also well to have a fairly thick stand of the young plants, so that the ground may be well covered even during early fall, and thus prevent the winter-growing weeds from establishing themselves. ”

“ It is usually possible to make such a seeding, obtain a good growth during the fall and early spring, and mature a crop of hay in time for breaking up the land for another crop of corn. South of the latitude of central Delaware it is even possible to mature a crop of clover seed in time for corn planting. In this way it is possible to grow a crop of corn each year and at the same time steadily increase the fertility of the soil for a series of years. Treated in this manner each succeeding crop of corn can ordinarily be materially increased. ”

“ Tho growing corn makes heavy demands on the soil moisture, and if there is not enough moisture for both clover and corn the latter gets the larger share and the tender clover plants are likely to succumb. It sometimes happens that a very light rain shortly after seeding the clover will cause the seeds to germinate, only to perish during the succeeding days of dry weather. On account of the competition for moisture between the corn and clover it is best to cover the clover seed a little deeper than is necessary when it is sown on fallow land. ”

“ Where grain-stubble land is plowed in preparation for the clover a month or six weeks are ordinarily required for the soil to settle sufficiently to make a proper seed bed, since after plowing at least one soaking rain, which compacts the soil and fills it with moisture, is essential to the proper preparation of the seed bed for crimson clover. If the ground be disked, a much shorter time and less rain are required for the proper settling of the seed bed. The best method of retaining the moisture in the seed bed is to harrow or give shallow cultivation shortly after each rain. ”

“ Crimson clover may be seeded in mixtures with vetch, shaftal clover, trefoil, or, in fact, any winter-growing legume which has a growing season similar to crimson clover. Since most of these legumes are not upright in their growth it is usually necessary to seed some grain crop with them to serve as a support and to prevent the plants from lodging. The grain is ordinarily a surer crop than the legumes and practically insures the ground being covered with some crop during the winter and spring months. ”

“ It is held by many farmers that they are more certain of getting a stand of crimson clover if they sow the seed in the hull rather than use the hulled seed as it ordinarily appears on the market. It is claimed that the hulls hold the moisture to some extent. Seed in the hull can easily be obtained by flailing out a load of crimson clover which has been left uncut in the field until the seed is mature. Many farmers run the clover through an ordinary grain thrasher, which delivers the seed in the hull. ”

“ When crimson clover is seeded alone on good soil it is likely to make so rank a growth as to lodge. To overcome this difficulty it is a common practice to seed some small-grain crop with the clover at seeding time. ”

“ The young seedlings are very easily killed by the hot sun or lack of moisture. On the other hand, if the seeding be delayed too long, as, for instance, in waiting for the proper conditions of soil moisture, the plants will be unable to make sufficient growth to withstand the winter. Briefly speaking, crimson clover should be seeded shallow on a moist, reasonably fertile, well-drained, well-settled seed bed. Inoculation in some form should be provided, especially when seeding it for the first time on any fields in sections comparatively new to this crop. ”

“ It is not practicable to seed the clover in late potatoes, as the digging of the potatoes in the fall practically destroys the stand of clover. The heavy application of fertilizers necessary for the truck crop makes possible a vigorous growth of the clover. The result is that the soil is materially built up in both nitrogen and humus. The clover makes its growth at a season of the year when the land is not ordinarily occupied by any of the regular truck crops. ”

“ Probably the most important characteristic of crimson clover is its ability to grow and make its crop during the season when the land is not occupied by the ordinary summer-growth crops. In sections where it succeeds, crimson clover can be sown following a grain crop or in an intertilled crop in late summer and will mature a hay crop the following spring in time to plow the land for spring-seeded crops, such as corn or cotton. ”

“ The ordinary rate of seeding is 15 pounds per acre, although some use 20 pounds, while others are able to obtain satisfactory stands with only 12 pounds per acre. One pound of seed per acre provides for three seeds for every square foot; hence, if every seed produced a plant, 2 pounds per acre would be theoretically sufficient to secure a satisfactory stand. Under ordinary circumstances, however, it is necessary to allow for some of the seed being covered too deep, while a considerable proportion may prove to be covered too shallow for successful growth. ”

“ Most of the soils in the crimson-clover sections will be found to be benefited by liming. Crimson clover, however, does not appear to require lime to the extent that red clover does. Frequently on well-drained soils in a good state of fertility the crimson clover makes a vigorous growth without the use of lime. The stands are, however, usually more uniformly good over the limed parts of such fields than on the parts that have received no line. The opinion among individual farmers appears to be about equally divided as to whether or not it pays them to lime their soils for crimson clover. ”

“ It is somewhat difficult to obtain anything like an ideal seed bed for crimson clover where a field of grain stubble has been plowed under. The soil in a stubble field is apt to be dry and cloddy when plowed, while the stubble tends to form a dry mat at the bottom of each furrow. ”

“ It is usually better to sow rye for a winter cover and cowpeas for a summer crop if a cover crop is thought to be needed. In any section where crimson clover has not been previously grown the first seeding should be on a small scale to determine whether or not it is a practicable crop for the locality in question. ”

“ An application of barnyard manure will be found to be especially effective in obtaining a stand of crimson clover on any thin, galled spots in the field. The manure should be worked into the ground and, if possible, a second application as a top dressing should be given such thin places to partially shade the ground from the August sun while the seedlings are establishing themselves. ”

“ The presence of the grain hay makes the clover hay more easily cured. With winter oats it is usually best to seed the late white-blooming variety of crimson clover, as the oat crop matures somewhat later than the ordinary crimson clover. ”

“ Any direct application of fertilizer is usually made at seeding time, but some few farmers have been found who apply it as a top dressing very early the following spring, giving as a reason that there is no loss from winter leaching and that the plants are by this method nourished at the time they are making their most vigorous growth. ”

“ It may even be held for seed as far north as central Delaware and the stubble be plowed under in time for seeding the quick-maturing strains of corn. It may be turned under for soil improvement when only 6 inches high if it Is desired to fit the land for early spring-seeded crops Even if only the stubble be turned under, the effect upon the succeeding crop will be marked, especially if the soil be deficient in nitrogenous fertilizers. The plowing under of the entire plant, however, will more rapidly correct any deficiency of nitrates or humus in the soil. ”

“ The consensus of opinion among farmers is that shallow seeding is generally best, especially upon the clay soils. An inch in sandy soils and half an inch in clay soils appears to be about the right depth except in times of drought. ”

“ Such top dressings of fertilizer should not be made while the leaves are wet with rain or dew. Where stable manure is applied to crimson clover very marked results follow. It may be spread just before seeding, when the clover is not grown in an intertilled crop, or it may be applied as a top dressing in winter or very early spring. ”

“ The resulting plants will be quite sure to be inoculated and will furnish an abundant supply of soil for inoculating much larger areas at the next seeding. Care must be taken not to allow the sun to shine upon either the pure cultures or the soil, or even on the seed after it is broadcasted. ”