The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-12-26
THE Earttt+
ClOver-llow il Enriches the Land.

From The Lice Stock journal.
We are afraid of clover. We are
afraid to raise it largely: afraid to feed
it extensively, especially as a main feed;
and afraid to pillow it under.
This is wrong, very wrong; we are
constantly losing by not growing more
clover Losing in many respects. Clio
YER, if we could only impress the fact
on the general farmer, is plant that
draws from the atmosphere and enrichcs
the land Other plants do this; but
clover more; it has to do with the most
vital and important element in manure,
nitrogen, the very thing that Is the
rarest and most difficult to obtain. 1t
improves the soil 10y its roots alone, the
crop used for other purposes: this, even
if a seed crop is taken. How much
more benefit then if a whole crop IS
turned down. containing 80 much nitro
gen And You have the manure with
out working for it, The plant works
for itself, and for YOU. We get Its
strength from free source, the atmos-
pherr, the great storehouse which gath
ers from all sources. but most from the
negligent farmer.
And YOU can make this plant work
for You on poor soil, and almost any
where All it needs is start. y little
manure applied on the surface will do
this: and if plenty of seed is sown
there will be a thick set. Then it needs
but a chance with the atmosphere and
plaster will aid this greatly. There
WILL with warm showers and winds, be
growth almost surprising. 1t will be
dense, finer stemmed and of fair length,
depending somewhat on the season.
Cut this when it begins to lodge, which
will be about the time when the bios
SONS appear. and there will be avoided
all rot or mildew, consequent on long
coarse lodging. and the yield will sur
prise you-two and a half or three
tons, and such hay as is not made from
anv other plant And the second crop
Will be nearly or perhaps quite as good
as the first; the past year it was better
"a heavier Weldon account of the
showers
THE BEST FOOD FOR STOCK.
Now, we have known, and that in a
roodlv number Of acres, where from
six to eight tons were realized in two
cuttings, and heavy after growth for
protection. And this hay, fine STEM
med, green and tender, with the fra
GRANGE of its stalk and blossom unim-
paired. rushing upon YOU as YOU open
the hav. 50 green in Winter. compared
with other foddcr-and this put before
cattle, calves, horses, sheep. Some
will object to its use for the horse, but
we have tested this thing and seen it
tested so much, that we know whereof
we speak But, clover alone-that
all the while ="
This is the thought that always pre-
sents itself; farmers are afraid to feed
clover alone, or largely. IIorsemen are
shy of it, which still further discour-
ages. Besides, we have not carefully
tested with GOOD clover hay, green and
well cured; we feed the hard stuff gen.
orally, and that is worse than ripe tim
othv or straw Who has given green
clover a thorough test, cut in the full
blush of fragrance with all its sub
stance available, including its health
giving infuence-who has done this
and noted the effect compared with
other fodder, and for sufficient time,
say for months or all Winter? Very
few indeed. Can any one who reads
this bring to mind any cases? There
are those, however and they never go
back to the old dead feed again. They
have learned to keep stock without
grain: THAT expense is saved them.
Now their stock is better, all things
considered than before: it is stronger.
nimbler, healthier, and there is more
milk, and better growth of young stock
1t is like keeping on pasture during the
Winter, better in some respects-there
is less water Bowels are perfect: III
Summer often too free, reducing the
animal Aud during the milking period
in the Fall and in the Spring, no grain
is fed, no fodder is cut there is full
quantity of milk, and it is rich, making
excellent cheese, and largely; but not
so good in flavor for butter as is wished
This thing has been done as we know
is done, and will be done more abund
antly. Why not now engage in it-at
least, test it fairly:
HOW TO RAISE 1T.
Begin by preparing your ground we'll
= n h,t+ bn