Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-03-09

iiSSe"N ~ ------------
ess- We consider the following aru-
Gle of so much Importance to the far
meys that we take great pleasure IN lay
inc it before them, and 1t stricks US that
it would be of great benefit to them TO
observe its Suggestions -
VALUE OF CLOVER on THE Farm
The cre,t value of clover for feed and
fertilizinc purposes, though recognized
hv those who make farming pay, Is yet
.soarded bv many farmers with an IN
difference that is remarkable. Its val
lie a, compared with timothy Is well
shown bv the following experiment:
Red clover when dried at PIP - Fab
renhcit. contains about twenty two and
one-half per cent. Of flesh forming, three
and -.enths per cent. OF tat form
ing. and iorty-four and one-halt per
cent. of heat producing food elements;
while Of these timothy has respectively
abont eleven and onethird, three ana
ope-half, and fifty-three aud one-thlrd
per cent. no.
over knew, feeds properly cured clover,
and corn meal, keeps his cattle stabbed,
and gives them the freedom OF the yard
dailv for exercise. His rule is, feed
nothing that does not possess iattening
properties. Sheep prefer clover nay TO
the best timothy and other fine grasses
Dairymen also place a high estimate on
clover as feed.
AS a manure, clover is undoubtedly
the cheapest. An experienced FARMER
in comparing the cost Of manurlng with
clover and with the ordinary methods
saws, at is a good days work for one
man and team to properly cover one
acre of ground per day with manure.
lie can seed ten acres day with clover
during the same time, and add the
equivalent of one hundred loads of barn
manure to the soil. When he sells
load of straw for five dollars, he invests
that amount in clover seed. In one in
stance, in Berks County, Pa, a man had
wheat in field for sixteen years in sue
cession, aud the last crop was as good
as the first, without any other fertilizlng
than the clover plowed down. Every
spring he sowed freely of clover seed
on the wheat, and when that was Oft the
field. and the clover about foot high,
it was plowed under, and wheat sown
again.
We underestimate the damage done
by allowing the soil TO be exposed to
the burning rays of midsummer sun.
A thick mat of clover acting as mulch
prevents evaporation, the lower leaves
decay and form plant food, and the long
top roots of the clover penetrate deep
down into the subsoil where, they rot,
and furnish aliment for succeeding
crops. The Germans in Pennsylvania
SOW red clover with their wheat. Sow
eighty to one hundred pounds ofgypsum
Gland p.aster) TO the acre, early in March;
allow the clover to grow as large as it
can be plowed under and resolved to
wheat.
There is no plant equal to clover to
mellow up heavy clay lands, and keep
down weeds. If any farmer who has
not heretofore done so, will now, or as
soon as he shall have read this para,
graph, SOW frolh eight 10 ten pounds OF
red clover seed to the acre, top dress
his wheat field with gypsum, give the
clover the next year another top dress
ing, and either stack lightly or NOW,
aud pillow under heavy atler,groWth'
he will he sure to raise bountiful crops
and constantly improve his soil.