The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-02-19
HOUSEHOLD AND FARM.


As many of our farmers are inquiring as TO
the character of Alsikc Clover, We clip the fol-
lowing from the american BecJoHrH1l, when
we think very reliable;
"Alsike or Swedish clover tTrit0LiVm hy.
brid!l0t) rs It's name indicates, Is native Of
Sweden; whore IL grows wIld--bclng both
hardy aud productive. II is commonly known
as As!ke, that being parish in Sweden where
this clover originated. II WAS brought INTO
cultivation in Sweden about the beginning OF
the presen, century, introduced into England
in 1884, and soon thereafter found its way into
the German States and other psrts OF Europe
and was finally brought into the United States
in 1853.
Alsike clover Is regarded by botanists as a
hybrid between our common red and white
clovers The stem and branches are finer and
less woody than the common red, and when
cut and cured for hay, 1t is perfectly free from
tuzz or dust. 1t does not turn black, but re.
mains the color of well.cured timothy. lthas
numerous branches and multitude Of bios.
SONS which are rich in honey. The bees have
no trouble in find ne the honey, ~ the bios
SONS are short and the heads no longer than
white clover. The blossoms at first are white,
but soon change to beautiful pink, and emit
considerable fragrance. The leaves are oval,
of a pale green color, and may readily be dis.
tingulshed at any stage of their growth from
the white or red clover by the total absence OF
pale white blossom on the upper surface OF
earth leaf, a peculiarly unnoticed by previous
writers.
1t Iip,ns, in the latitude Of Chicago, In the
latter part of July, but needs not to be CUT III
August If the weather should be uniavoraDle.
The crop OF seed is always obtained from this
cutting, in which respect il is unlike the com
mon red |; Is not advisable TO cut this clover
more than once each season, but It may be pas
tured moderately during the fall. When cut
tor seed, il may be threshed from the field
with common clever machine; but, II more
convenient il may be stacked and threshed
during the fell or winter.
Care should be taken in handling this clover,
as the seeds shell very easily, but this Is looked
upon as point in its favor, rs the land thus
becomes reseeded every year, and so early, that
If the autumn proves to be wet one, nearly
every grain will germlnate, and fine growth
OF new plants will be secured for the following
year The seed is very tine-being about the
size and shape Of white clover-a pound con.
tanning 1t is sad, about 5000 grains or three
times us many as the common red. The seed
pods contain /, ,, 3 and sometimes grams,
which explains why it Is so prolific-a mod
crate weld being from 100 10 200 lbs. of seed
70 the acre.
When sowcd by itself !! los of seed is agreat
plenty for an acre hut this Is not the best
plan to pursue, especially with our dry west
ern praires. 1t is much the better way to mix
Alsike with timothy or the common red, or
with both. When thus mixed, they are help
to each other. The Alskc being native OF a
cold climate, does not winter KILL ana besides
It acts rs mulch in winter and spring to Al
low the common red, and keeps the latter from
being destroyed by the heaving out process
As the red clover shades the roots OF the Al
sikc, which grows close 20 the surface, 1t pro
teCts the latter from the effects OF drouth. The
timothy and red clover, being both upright
growers, lift and keep up the Alsike from the
ground, which Is very dc, irable The stem OF
the Alslke is too fine 70 support its many bran
ches in an upright position, aud hence is more
inclined TO lodge than the common red. For
the reasons given, the combination Of the three
named plants Is very important, and Will prove
successful wherever tried.
When mixed, SOW the usual quantity of
timothy and red clover, and not more than ,
lbs. of Alskc seed TO the aCrc-in fact ID
will be ample If wanted for seed, il might
then be hest to use lbs. of Alske seed to the
acre. Timothy ami red clover do no harm, as
the crop may he cut so early that the Alsike
will be the only plant ripe enough to furnish
seed Timothy seed being about the same
size Of the Alsike, cannot very we'll be scparat
ed from il; but such is not the case with red
clover, as fine sieve Will quickly do the work.
Alske clover, As "A fertilizer, must be as good
apant MS rcd clover, if not better, as exam
nation will show. Having often dug up
specimen roots of both Alsl;c and the com
mon red ciovers for comparison and exhibi,
ton, much difference in the size of the crowns
and quantity of roots and rootlcts have been
found. Having now grown Alsike on a va
riety Of soils for the past IL years with good
success, | know that what | have set forth in
this article are facts and not theories.
Csrboiic Acid for Insects.