The midland journal., 1890-08-22
The Farm, ,
Crimson Clover once More.

Experiment Station, L an able 20 pre-
sent your readers with some further
information regarding Crimson clover
that l am sure will prove of interest.
DR., Neale and his able corps of assist
ants have given this clover considerable
attention, and have brought out much
valuable information.
This clover grows wild in Southern
Switzerland and Northern Italy. 1t
was introduced into France about 1880,
and is SO we'll liked and so generally
used there that the name French CLOVER
is often applied to it. Seed from five
different varieties of this clover is Of
fered on the European markets. These
varieties vary in color of blossom and
season of blooming and also in har di-
ness. The plant is noted for stooling,
for deep roofing and for rapid growth.
Fifty flower stalks to single root have
been repeatedly noticed, and seventy
stalks TO one root have been reported.
Roots have been followed more than
four feet down into heavy clay, so
hard that spades had but little effect.
The plots at the experiment station
mede an extremely vigorous growth
During the fall and winter the ground
was moi onl ly concealed but completely
protected against freezing; for with a
temperature approximately 140 above
zero the soil was found soft and free
from frost directly under the clover,
while that unprotected was found hard.
The plants remained green, and at ne
time during the winter did they show
any indications of suffering from cold.
On May II, the crop was in full bloom.
1t was then cut and weighed. then
plowed under as green manuring.
The maximum yield was Is TONS and
400 pounds per acre. A chemical
analysis showed that this amount of
green clover per acre was equal to two
tons and 800 pounds of very dry hay !;
also that the l3 tons of green clover
contained l15 pounds of nitrogen. l31
pounds potash and 35 pounds phos-
phoric acid. To secure this plant food
in form of fertilizer at market price
would have cost $24. Of this amount
SIT, or 20 per cent of the total is cred
tied to nitrogen, that element which
clover can secure from the air, while
30 per cent is credited to phosphoric
acid and to potash, elements which can
only be secured from the soil.
Mr.. E. H. Bancroft, one of the most
intelligent and successful farmers in
Kent county says of this clover: cit is
first class for soiling, and for ensilage
there seems to be no limit to its useful
ness. Its season of growth and ma
turity enable us to fill the silo in May
and provide supply of the best eDsil-
age, and the supply may readily be
made adequate to the requirements Of
the entire year. To plow down for
green manuring, no other plant of the
same season has yet become known here
that can approach it in value, for
cheapness of production, for quantity
of crop, and for fertilizing qualities.
Taking it all in all, it certainly i'm
presses those who know it best as offer.
ing possibilities to the agriculture of a
vast portion of our country never be-
fore anticipated"
Mr.. Jacob G.. Brown, veteran fruit
grower of Central Delaware, says: 81
have known this plant during period
Of about five years, and each year In
cfeases my estimation of it as forage
crop. There is no other adapted to this
soil and climate that can ia any way
equal it. 1t is the most easily seeded,
will grow On the poorest soil, and under
conditions when other grasses would
utterly fail will produce the largest
yields, either for use in the silo or for
hay in quality not excelled. 1t is the
most wonderful restorer of poor or worn
out soil in existence. I verify believe
that with it land can be brought into
the highest state of fertility without the
application of a dollars worth Of
mannre."
The Wynkoop Bros. Of Milford have
raised this clover six years, and expect
next year to have nsarly ninety acres
of it. Mr.. P. P. Wyncoop says ::
"Scarlet clover is first class forage
plant, for use either as hay, as
cnslage, or for soiling as a crop to
turn under for green manure, its
value is very great"
Upwards of four hundred and fifty
bushels of homegrown seed have found
an eager market in this little State