Litchfield enquirer., 1834-07-10
on FEE cuLrnaE or cLovEa.

to the modern Improvement Of husbaOdry,
than the Introduction of clover. in COnnexIOn
with the rotation Ofcrops. This plant serves
10 a.neliorate and fertil1e the soil. and at toe
same time it affords an abundance nj whole
some food for every description Of farm stock.
Whether left out for winter stnres. for sOiling
ia the yard, or fed off by stock. but few crops
surpass il ia the quantity ut cattle food which
it affords. Although cultivated in Holland
and Flanders from an early period. with great
dyantage, it was.n0t introduced into Great
Britain till the 18th century. At present,
cInvers enter largely into the succession Of
crops there; on all soils, aud in every prOdUc
tive course Of management. They were prin-
'cipaIly instrumental 10 giving to Flanders its
high celebrity, as an agricultural country,
greatly in advance, in improvement. Of the
states araundit The clover system has con-
verted some Of the poorest districts Of Eng
land into the mOst productive and profitable.
In the u. s. 1t Is 60 mparatively ofreceat in.
Productions; and even at this day its benefits are
but partially appreciated or applied as they
ought To be. In connection with gypsum.
clover FIRST became subject If notice aud cul
ture in the counties about Philadelphia, and
in the county Of Dutchpss, some forty years
ago; and we are much indebted to the exam
Pile and writings Of Chancellor Livingston.
Judge Peters, and other gentlemen of learn
ing, wealth and enterprizs, for the improve
ment and wealth which it has conferred on
our land. Many Of our farmers have yet
much to learn, before they can realize the full
benefits which it il canable Of aFording in the
profits Oft the farm. Although bntanists emu
merate nearly fifty species Of the clover fami-
w, our present remarks are intended 10 apply
merely to the common red kind (tritoiiMm
prntense.
There are three faults in the management Of
clover which we design briefly to notice. 10
referenceto alternate h.lsbandry. These are,
I. Too LIKE seed Is usually so,cn. The oh
ject of the clover crop Is 10 procure a cheap
food for animals and plants. Few II any crops
surpass i il the quantity which it affords Of
sthrse.-and few exhaust the fertility Of the
soil less. One farmer snws four ar six pound
OF seed 10 the acre and gets in return thin
but coarse crUp Of hay or pasture. Another
soWs ten or fourteen pounds, obtains dpuble
the bnrihen of The first, and at trifling extra
expense III less than dollar 10 the acre for
seed while his land il dOubly benefited by
the green crop to be plonghed 10. From ten
to fourteen pounds VI seed should be sown to
the acre, whetherthe object be to benefit the
stock Or the land. The product will be some
advantages Of heavy stocking, both 10 the hay
and to the soil, will far ontbaiance the cost 81
the extra seed.
2. Cloper lays are PERMITTED To remain too
long before they are brought under Tie plough.
The common clover is biennial, orat mOsl
triennial plant; and il not plohghed unde,
sbefure the third year, its advantages 10 this
soil. as d green crop. are mostly or wholly
host; while. after the SECOND year. 1t add
very little TO the crap Of hay. But if turne,
under the FIRST or second year, il furnishes {,
the soil great quantity nc vegetable matter
thA true Ei,ld &c plants. II not auiy serves n
manure, but II benefits mechanically. lis t0l
roots penetrate and divide the soil, and as thrJ
decay, renderit friabie, and set clover lay inn
parts 10 the soil rs much benefit. Ia onr opin,
ion 40 ten loads Of yard manure 10 the acre.
When broadcast crop is to he followed by 4
tillage crop. 40 corn, I,Otatnes. or small grain.
there ~ nianifestly q decided advantage 10
stocking il with clover. though i j 10 10 turn
ed under the ensuing GALL or. spring.
We estimate its value, rs manure, 10 say
nothing III the pasture II alfnreis, at from ave
to ten dollars per acre, v lille thu cost of the
seed does not ordinarily exceed one dollar
have sown rye and cloyer, upon piece Of
poor sandy land for which had no manure 10
spare. three years 10 succession, with manifest
advantage.
5 The common method Of caring clouer han
g bad The object to BE- obtained is, 70 cure
the hay Ia the cheapest and best manner. The
common practice Of spreading clnyer from
the swath. causes the leaves and blossoms to
dry aud crumble, ere The hanlm or stocks are
sufficiently cured. Thus either the finer parts
Of the hay are lost. Or the crop is housed with
sO much moisture, as to cause Il TO heat, and
often To spoil. Clover should only be spread
when IL has become wet in the awatil. and
should b. gathered again before the leaves tlry
and crUinble. Both these evils NAV be- avoid
ed. and labor saved withal. by curing the
grass wholly 10 swath and cock. After expe.
riencing the serinns disadvantages Of the old
method, adopted the one am about to re,
commend. and have pursued it satisfactorily
ten or dozen years. My practice has been.
to icaye the clover 10 wilt 10 the swath. and
when partially dried. either to tirn the swaths.
or to make grass cocks the same day, SD as To
secure the dried portions from the dew, Tha,
which 10 mot Put into cocks the lirst day. Is
thus secured the. second day, or M soon Is i,
has become partially dried. These grass
cocks are permitted To staud one, two or three
days according a. the weather 10. and as the
curing process has progressed, when they All
opened at nine or ten O'cl0ck an a fair day, The
hay turned over between eleven aud three
and s0on after turning gathered again fnr III,
cart. Thus cured the hay 10 perfectly bvigh
and sweet, and hardly blossom or leaf vast
ed. Some care 10 required Ii making "a,
cocks. The grass IL collected " ith forks ana
nlnned an xirw, rrnnst hat 3m ska asx aeha l.