Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-07-29
SCARLET CLOVER FOR FORAGE.

The late VIM. n. White, for number
of years editor of the Southern CUlti-
Gator, among the many benefits he con-
ferred upon the agricultural population of
the South, introduced, few years ago,
and sowed upon small patch of ground
near his house at Atlanta, Ga, species
of clover known as the Incarnste or Scar
let clover (TFJoLiun1 HlcGrnatun1)
which has yielded since the first year fine
pasturage during the months of February,
March and April, and then at the rate of
about two tons of excellent hay per acre.
We fiud in the Southern CultiUdtOr for
July, 1868, published few days before
the death of Mr.. White, an article on this
species of clover, translated from the
Matthew dc DOmboSle, which we copy
for the information of our readers. Mr..
White sowed his patch in August on soil
of medium quality, at the rate of sixteen
pounds of clean seed per acre. 1t came
up during the fall, grew all the winter,
was pastured by calves and hogs during a
portion of the winter and carly spring,
and the hay was cut in May, yielding two
tons to the acre. "Plenty of forage"
said Mr.. White, ''can be made with this
plant cheaply as Northern hay can be
bought at the place aUhere 1t is grO10n
mot at the depot). After the seed is
once obtained, it seeds abundantly, and
the seed in the chaf are easily saved."
The following is the translation;
E'The scarlet clover has been long cul-
tiYated in Southern France as an excel
lent forage crop. Of late years it has
been introduced in some of the more
northern departments, where it has sue
ceeded very well. 1t is no more sensible
to frosts than the ordinary clover, espe-
cially if sown early, SO as to become well
rooted before winter. One
ought not to pass the end of August be-
fore sowing is finished.
"The most valuable property of this
plant is that it may be cut in the spring
fifteen days before other clover and ordi-
nariIy before lucern. 1t gives but one
crop, if cut when in bloom, which only
happens where one has no need of green
forage early III spring; but when it is cut
before the heads appear, a second crop
can be cut, but it will be weak unless the
soil is strong. Strong soils will be found
most profitable for all forage crops. 1t
is not very difficult as to choice of soils,
but light sandy or gravelly soil is much
better than clays or heavy loans.
''This plant must be sown by itself,
and may succeed any cereal or other crop.
Consumed green, it is valuable forage,
and it comes at a time when stock are not
particular about green food; but it is infe-
rior to clover, whether used green or made
into hay. One sows, ordinarily, about six
teen pounds of clear seed per acre, or its
equivalent in seed left in the head. -Four
bushels of seed in the ehaff are equivalent
to sixteen pounds of clean seed.-Ed. 4.
and H. } Thelast mentioned spreferred, as
the seed is more sure to vegetate, probably
because the envelop left ON the seed pre-
serves moisture and facilitates vegetation.
This plant likes firm bottom; thus, in
light soil not infested with weeds, it is
thought better not TO work it deeply after
the preceding crop, but to prepare the sur
face merely, and then SOW broadcast and
harrow thoroughly. On some soils thor
ough narrowing is quite sufficient prepare
ten, but if the land be foul, it must be
plowed, but if not deeply, and well har-
rOWcd before and after SOWinCn