, 1861-09-19
AgficQItuFs.
The Glover Plant,

The common red clover Is evidently q
denizen Of cultivated soils, and propagated
and preserved only through the care Of the
agricnlturst, as it differs materially from all
wild or natural varieties, and if left to itself,
soon disappears before other kinds Of herb
age. Il was at first, and for long time,
cultivated in gardens and isolated plots in
pleasure grounds, probably for the beauty
Of it's flowers. At last several observing
farmers tried it as a forsging plant, alone
and in mixture with cereal grasses. "Since
that time" probably IN the 18th century,
says Thaer, "clover has been regarded and
used by many persons as the basis Of Agri.
culture, and the pivot on which it should
turn but with various results, according to
The nature Of the soil and perhaps also of
the climate" Finally, the system Of alter
nate culture has assigned to clover place in
which it Is sure to succeed, even on a soil
not adapted 70 its production. In this place
(inrOtation with other crops) clover yields
an advantageous produce, and at the same
time maintains the soil in q favorable con.
dition for the following crop.
There are two varieties Of the red clover
commonly known as the large or pea vine
clover and the small. The former kind is
but little cultivated and is generally con.
sidered of less value for hay and pasture,
and yields but q single crop in Q season but
when wanted for manure only, 1t Is some
times preferred for rs heavy growth. Ihe
small kind viii produce two good crops in
ayear, or one Of hay and one Of seed, on
good soils. The Italian or crimson clover
is another variety, introduced oy the fatent
Office, but not yet grown except for its hand.
some flowers: 1t is an annual, OF strong
growth, readily eaten " STOCK, ana haroy'
continuing 70 grow ana blossom until severe
hosts occur and may prove on further trial
. valuable forage plant
The soils not favorable to clover are those
containing both lime and clay, not too great
proportion Of the latter, but what is
known as clayey loan. On such soil, in
. proper state Of cultivation, It is, as Il were,
IN is native abode; nothing is required be-
Vond the spreading Of the seed-the clover
gets the better Of all the plants that grow
around Il Il will thrive on all soils Of
sufficient depth and fertility, IL favored BY
. season Of sufficient moisture. Sandy
loans, however, are often deficient In lime
and also overcharged with acid, as shown
by the growth Of sorrel and dock; in such
situations these plants are apt to overgrow
the clover. nor will plaster have much ten
dency 10 prevent Il. Ashes or manure
win arrest this evil 90 that clover will sue
cesd finally, and It is aid that q mixture Of
ashes and plaster is much the best top dress
ing for such lands. II not for al when in elo.
~.
Clover 4 not sown alone. but with some
other crop. because 4 rarely Yields a yery
lnqze crop the first wear, and IN the early
rin1s Of rs growth. Il & much assisted BY
ne protection Of ancther plant. which nav
nfarwnrd Give mn the ground 70 Il. The
-,on.r - crop Win which clover 4 sown
/. harvesfed. tke oreater tbe strength Of the
rIorer We hai occasion q observe facts
AZ, nat veaS b,.,ring ,onev.hat unou this
observation, A feld. by The Encouragement
al lho fsnoe.. incIuded several ki1ds Of
rrs'. An were seoded witII clover. % As to
hrni1h laroe meadow for another wear.
NJ. n.rt deToted 10 winter wheat was seeded
6-.l rn5 4 nrnl'.IlS' ,he l,est Dort;on N the
cio~s- o,-;5e, n,s;niv M ao,,bl ~ fhs 1oS.
- ,i,,,s ,oe, ,-Le.t h.rve;s ,',hich aIIo--ad
!, ~. ... 49,, M. ~, -,
- = 4 ,,.5 :, sn-jnc ,-Sass 3 rsrt ~,
~. S11In rlnrlsd m ven and wa cit
--lI,.5 ,l-n ~ nogs3on 4 oafs vbera re-
dover d lIohisit The latter crop was
h.d|r laid bg the winds. thus hinderinR the
rroflh Of IS clover. Il Was slso hSr-
vested oousiderably later than the Others.
A narrow strip along one edge Of the field
was i'd % Az ana dover SEED at the
ruro fimn. but the fax seed not growing.
lr|I IL clover lSs onlv cFop-except weeds
T||, |.ld va riich. having besn occupied a
4 l-1s 81 u,1nV wears. and tlie dover crop