Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-11-14
Farmers Column.
Importance Of clover in Farming.

AupOA bthuCC VI OtOtCl All 4 "a liAASs
For great number of years clover
has occupied a prominent position on the
farm, partly from sort of supposed
necessity In former years it was the
custom among New England farmers 70
seed their lands to grass in the spring
with crop of oats or other spring grain,
because of the belief, that timothy aud
other grasses, would not come to sufli-
cient growth the year following to produce
crop. white clover would. Therefore, be-
cause Of its being an exceedingly rapid
growing plant, producing under favor
able circumstances an exceedingly large
crop, and frequently second crop Of
excellent hay. it has been continually
employed as forage crop on all well
regulated farms. So far its value for
feeding purposes, when dry, are con-
cerned, it all depends on the cutting and
curing for there is no kind of hay that is
more easily injured then clover some
individuals go so far as to claim decided
injury, even from the breaking up Of the
stalks while curing. If it is cured pro-
perly, so that when 10 the NOV, it is free
from dust, it forms an excellent feed for
horses; but if little musty or filled
with dust, it is liable to engcnder heaves.
Opinions vary somewhat as to its value
for feeding milch COWS, although the
general opinion seems to substantial its
value for the production Of milk, and very
many insist that the use of good clover
hay not only increases the quantity but
improves the quality which isan import
ant consideration. Again, for sheep and
calves it is good fodder, for the latter
more especially when the stalks are not
too large.
For lambs it forms excellent feed just
as they are commencing to eat hay,as they
catch at the tender leaves and eat them
with avidity. 1t is especially adapted to
young lambs and calves, because it con-
tains those clemens that enter into the
bony structure Of animals, and SO goes to
build up the frame work of the system.
And for furnishing grazing and for soil
ing purposes il is invaluable
Being rapid in its growth FURNISHES an
abundant supply Of nutrment. 1t is not
uncommon for it, when sown in early
spring with grain, to send up a mass of
leaves to the height of ten or twelve
inches, which. .judiciously fed, affords an
opportunity of reducing whatever stubblc
may be left at time of harvest. Those
who have adopted a system. Of soiling
need 20 recommendation of this plant
as an important crop; and when soling
is carried onesysicmatically, the course
Of crops would be considered as incom
pletc without an ample surface in clover
But its importance does not lie eXclu
sively in. its feeding value, as those form
ers who follow d systematic rotation of
crops have long since found out. In
somea sections pf. the country, farming
wodld be- considered as unhinged if a
regular rotation of crops was not en-
ployed or followed This is happily |
illustrated III Oneaus county, New York,
in which large pr0portion-et the firm I
frFthlpw a, three or four years rotation, I
hland,icily FOR the purpose of the adyan-
tage that they believe results from this
periodical ofipEoymcntlof clover, or its
growth in the land, as an important aux
iliary to the fertility of the soil. 1t has
always been observable to what extent,
not only in lateral but in the vertical d.
reelion, the roots Of the clover enter tie /
soil. and as the substance Of the root as
well rs thetop is believed to come large
" Prom the atmosphere, it is plain that /
what is below the surface, together with !
the stubble, must 20 to increase fertility
when it goes to decay Nor has science
been slow III demonstrating that large
amount of plant food is contained in the
stnbble and root having named the APP
proximate amount that will be contained
III an acre'o Of average growth and from
the character Of the roots, descending
deeply besides spreading. the soil is pen
etrated and as it were broken up TO re.
ceive more readily the roots Of succeed
ing crops Thus in the New York rota-
ton, commencing with corn or beans up
on the soil, followed by oats or barley,
and then by wheat with seeding Of elo-
yer, allowing il to stand not over three
years, it is clear to be seen that every
five years there is deposit 50 to speak,
in the soil Of such an amount Of ferti-
lizing material as is represented by the
elements of the clover stubbe aud 50
firm IS their faith ia its use that they
have come 10 the firm conviction ,hat
they c6u'l not carry on farming without
it, and it Is very certain that by pursu-
lug the course which they dc their lands
are enabled to produce good crops by The
use Of comparatively less manure than
il used in New Inghind.
Perhaps il Is a lesson for the farmers
yet 10 learn 10 place more dependence
and reliance upon the means provided by
naiuri' than 10 spend 50 mmch their
Substance ia ithe purchase Of artificial
i. .elps Maryland Farmc