The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1888-02-10
AIs1ke Glover.

Glover seed at the MIDLAND ONCE,
and if others who wish to try some
of this superior clover will leave
their orders we will attend to them
and haye the seed all shipped at once
No more seed will be purchased than
we have orders for. The cost of the
seed by the hushel will be, delivered
at Rising Sun depot. $3.50. The
cost of tae seed in O.io is $500 and
the freight is so cents. We make
no profit on the seed, and our only
interest in the matter is to introduce
this best of all pasture and hay clo-
vers in this neighborhood. The
common red clover is falling very
last and the probability is wi II soon
fail entirely in this part Of the
county.
Two pounds of Alsike seed mixed
with four or FIVE quarts of red clover
seed is enough for an acre where
timothy has been sown last fall or is
to be sown next spring. and the three
grasses mixed are better than either
separate. Alsike is one Of the best
plants for milk cows that is grown,
and cattle prefer it to all other pas
ture. We know one farmer who has
raised Alsike clover for several years
and has abandoned the red entirely.
He has ordered bushel and half
for next springs sowing. When a
few pounds are wanted Is cents a
pound will be the price. Send in
your orders at once.
The following article on Alsike
clover was published by NJ NJ. Bad
ridge in the A. B. journal,
1t is native Of Sweden, where it grows
Wild being both hardy and productive. 1t
is commonly known by the name of Alsike,
that being parish in Sweden where this
clover originated. 1t was brought into cul-
tivation there about leo years ago, was in
troduced into England in 1884, and sooa
after found its way irto the German States
and other parts of Eur ,pe, and was finally
brought into the United States through the
Patent Office, in 1853.
Il is hybrid of the red aud white clover
The stem and the branches are finer and
less woody than the red, and when cut aSd
cured for hay, lis perfectly free from dust
or fnzz. 1t does not turn black but remains
the color Of we'll cured timothy. 1t has nu-
merous branches, and multitude of bios
SONS which are very rich in honey. The
blossoms at first are white, but soon change
to a beautiful pink, and emit considerable
fragrance. The leaves are oval, of a pale
green color, and may readily be distinguish.
ed at any stage Of their growth from the
white or red clover, by the total Absence of
pate white blossom on the upper surfa ce
of each leaf.
It ripens. in the latitude Of Chicago, in
the latter part of July, but need not be cut
until August, if The weather should be I'M
favorable. The crop of seed is always OBJ
tanned from this cutting, in which respect it
is unlike the common red. 1t is not advis
able to cut this clover more than once each
season, but it may be pastured moderately
during the fall When cut for seed, it may
be threshed from the field with common
clover machine bul if more convenient it
may be stacked and threshed during the fall
or winter.
Handle the seed carefully, ,.s it shells
very easily. but this is point in its favor,
as the land thus becomes reseeded every
year, and SO early, that if the autumn
proves to be wet one nearly every seed
will germnate, and a fine growth of new
plants will be secured fer the following year
The seed is very 6ne-being about the size
and shape Of white elover--a pound con-
tanning, it is said, about 900, 900 grains, or
three times as many as the common red.
The seed pods contain /, 2, Sand sometimes
4 grains which explains why it is SO prolific
"a moderate yield being from $50 to 200
pounds of seed to the acne.
How to sow. When sown by itself
pounds is plenty for an acre. It is much
better 10 mix Alsike with timothy or tn e
common red, or with both When thus
mixed they are help to each other. The
Alsike being native of cod climate does
not winter kill, and besides it acts as u
mulch in winter to the common red and
keeps the latter from being destroyed by
the heaying ont process. AS The red clover
shades the roots OF the Alsike, which grows
close to the surface, it protects the latter
from the effects of drouth. The timothy
and red cloves both being upright growers,
lift and keep up the Alske from the ground
which is very desirable. The stem of the
Alsike is too fine to support its many
branches in an upright position, and hence
is more inclined to slodge" than the COM