The National tribune., 1890-11-06
OUR RURAL TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
THE VALUE OF CLOVER.

Too few of our farmers know the great value
of the clover plant when properly raised. Sure
ly such valuable plant shorId receive more
missionary work from those who know its
value.
The clover plant is biennial. When allowed
to grow the second year to full maturity with
out cutting, or pastured so as to prevent it
coming to full maturity, it lives through the
third year, but its heaviest crop is of the second
year after sowing. 1t is cheaply raised, and It
is liable to few casualties or insect enemies in
this country. By its broad leaves it is thought
to derive a portion of its nourishment from
the atmosphere, and thus, while it affords q
product equal to the best grasses, it draws a
large part of 1t from the common storehouse Of
nature without subjeeting the farmer 70 the
expense of providing it in manure. The nu-
tritiye matter, although relatively less than
from some Of the grasses, is yet in the amount
per acre fully equal to the average of any other
forage crop which is produced at the same
expense. 1t is as a fertilizer, however, that it
Is so decidedly superior to other crops for
clover not only produces good crop above the
surface, but produces one still more valuable
beneath in the form of roots; the large heshy
roots of the clover, as they decay in the soil,
yield both humus and ammonia. The roots Of
the clover penetrate the earth TO a consider
able depth, apertures are created for imbibing
and sinking deeper quantity of atmOspherical
manure; also bringing up mineral matter and
aecumuating it near the surface, so that it
becomes more available for the use of other
crops. But this is not all for the clover roots
piercing deep in the earth, as they decay act
as drains, and, where land is too heavy, clover
incliues to dry il out, and, if too dry, holds
moisture; the clover seems to bring about a
happy medium. All grains do well after clover,
and wheat especially which follows it is more
generally free from disease than when sOwn
with other manures; this is due 10 great
extent to the clover equalizing the moisture.
Another reason is nitrogen IS the dominant
part of wheat, and wheat draws but little nitro
gen from the air, while the strong feeding and
ntrogen-storing powers Of the full leaved and
deep-rooted clover is enabled and does appTo-
pirate plant food when turned over which
would be beyond the reach of wheat.
When farmer knows the value Of clover as
fertilizer he is never at loss how to renovate
such lands as will produce even moderate crop
of clover. Poor clay lands, not capable Of bear
ing have become so by az early aud late crop
of oats in the same season and feeding them OF
/ on the ground or crop Of rye turned under.
Poor sandy soils may be made to sustain clover
with manure, ashes, and gypsum combined with
the free use of the roller As valuable as clover
is, If sold off OF the farm every year IS a ruin
ing policy and should not be practiced. II
must either be ploughed under or let it rot
on the surface or pasture, or use it for soiling
or make it into hay and feed it out TO stock and
return tho manure to the land.
Another great value of the clover plant TO
the farmer is TO keep his farm clear 1t is q
patent fact that Whenever the farmer keeps
much Of his farm in clover 70 that extent the
| farm is kept free from weeds aud other foul in.
| truders Ii this effect Of clover growth were
more appreciated by the farmer fields seeded to
clover would be guarded from stock as carefully
as a grain or fruit field Country Home.
FATTENING HOGS.