Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-01-26
AGRICULTURAL.
Glover Culture.

Clover, IN common Win all Otner planii
Of the lcguminous or pod bearing family
draw less from the soil, and more from the
atmosphere, in proportion TO the feeding OIL
tranurng value Of the product, than any
other family Of plants. The peculiar value
Of clover as a manuring crop has long been
known, and made use of an practice The
like value OF the native pea Tor more cor
rrc,ly beam Of the Southern States is
scarccly less than Of clover. Such have
been the differences Of practical farmers.
from experienced effects only. But scien-
s,fc Investigations have more lately thrown
Hight on tho subject In this article, de-
signed exclusively for practical applica-
fion, II would be improper TO make more
than slight reference to these very interest
ing scientific researches. 1t has been found
that in clover stems, leaves and roots, uiid
in the stems and leaves Of peas and beans,
and more especially their seed. there is
more azote than in other plants. Bous
ssngal, found that plants Of the lcguminous
tribe, rcd clover and peas, absorbed azote
from the atmosphere, and which could not
be done by plants Of the cereal o. grain
bearing tribe. Azotc, though much the
smallest ingredient of the elements Of or
gaiic matter. is incomparably the richest;
and its presence and quantity Constitute
the greatest almentary value Of plants, FOR
fnod or manure. The cereal plants can
obtain their necessary supply Of uzote FROM
the soil only. The leguminous plants can
es well profit by all the azote supplied by
the soil and in inorganic manures, but also
can draw this richest aliment from the at
mosperc, where the quantity is unlimited,
and the supply only limited by the power
Sfcsan1s 10 absorb aud use 1t an this sepa
rs,e and pure form
1t has further been understood by scen-
tiic investigators that plants in gcncre take
up but little nutriment from The soil before
they form their seeds. Previous 10 that
time, water and thcatmosphcrc have main
" supplied the nutrimeut necessary for
thesr growth. Upon these grounds. if
clover is mown for green food or hay (for
consumption on the farm before the seeds
arc fully formed, there has been but little
distracted from the soil; and the use of the
removed clover, rs both food and material
for manure, must he Of more yalue than as
manure only. II left to stand on the land
II moving is later, for hay, and when
some few seeds are matutcd, though more
will then have been distracted from the
soil. still the product goes to the farm. The
earliest profit. from the food, goes to the
farmer, in the labor or the fattcning of aui
mas.-Thc manure so produced, ,hougl
less in quantity and value than if the clio
yer had been left to die and fall on Tho
field, is not as much lessencd as the amoun
oftAect important value derived FROM
mown clover.
But there arc other important advantages
of moving the first growth of clover. Its
ready iershe the for green food in May
and fit for hay in June. During that time
all tho weeds which damage the wheat
crop by the admxture of seeds, are then in
growth, too far advanced TO again produce
seeds, and then too green for their seeds
10 terminate. The clover field is more or
less set with these wccds-cocklc. darneT,
cheat and wild garlic--and sometimes rye
and eats, If these crops were grown on
rhe ground when last under wheat. All
these ANNALS are efectually destroyed by
moving the land for clover. Even the
wild garlic, though the root is not hurt, has
its abundant seeds above ground destroy
cd, and for that year, is its injurious effect
much limited. Further. by removing the
first growth of clover before its seeding,
the second crop springs quicker and grows
better. If designed to supply seed, the
product is better and more easy to harvest.
Tito be ploughed under in August or Sep
tembcr, to prepare for wheat, the plouging
will be mucA easier, and more cffectual
than il ,heSead FIRST growth had remained.
II. Rufa.