Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-06-10


This nitrogen in the roots is slowly
made ready by graded decomposition,
and thus becomes available to the roots
of wheat as needed.
Mammoth C20ver starts later in
spring, and natures nearly two weeks
later than the common red clover, but
produces larger first crop. 1t starts
slower after cutting, and does not pro-
duce so large a second crop. On the
whole, it produces little or no more feed
in year than does red clover.
The mammoth variety is best to SOW
in all places for green manure crop,
as it grows larger than the common
meadow variety. 1t, like common red
clover, does not seem to be more than
biennial.
Seed Of clover is a good crop to grow
under favorable circumstances. We
have several clover seed insects which
sometimes do considerable injury. 1t IS
believed that we do not have enough
humble bees in wet years to thoroughly
cross-fertilize all the flowers, thing
necessary to seed production.
Where fields Of clover are grown
principally for the seed, in this State,
the first growth is cut very early, for
hay; or, when only eight or ten inches
high it is mown and allowed to lay as
mulch, or manure, the second crop then
having good chance to make crop OF
seed.
The land becomes more firm, and
thus in better mechanical condition for
wheat, as we'll as richer, by laying in
clover sod for year or more.
Glover seed is truly "our cheapest
manure" and this crop euriches the
land even if none of the hay is re-
turned in the form Of manure, and
when fed, the crop furnishes large
amount of comparatively rich manure.
As clover hay or silage contains a
good proportion of muscle forming ma
terial, it has an especial value to use
with our very cheap straw, corn fodder,
and similar feeds rich in heat formers
but deficient III the nitrogen compounds.
Clover is a good crop for hay, soiling,
silage, and for pastures in short rota-
tons. The greatest need Of our fields IS
more clover, more manure, and more
rotation.
a clover huller is valuable machine
in any neighborhood. Thresh the
clover dry from the gavels, or let it
stand some weeks, or even months, Ill
we'll covered stacks. The finely broken
clover straw makes excellent bedding,
if not used for feed, and in either case it
adds to the value of the manure.
dislike C2OVer is not SO valuable as
rcd and mammoth clovers. 1t produces
a smaller first crop, and the second crop
is usually short and light. 1t furnishes
excellent bee pasturage.
White C2over, spreads everywhere III
Il neighborhood when it once gets
start. 1t travels by its very numerous
seeds, which are borne as low as only
an inch from the ground if the plants
are closely pastured. The seeds often
grow after passing through animals. 1t
also spreads and makes dense sod by
means of runners, which take root at
the nodes, like the runners Of the straw
berry plant.
Alfalfa, is as yet in the experimental
stage in this State. 1t thrives on good
land, but good stand can be obtained
only with difficulty. The plants are
weak during the first year and the weeds
crowd them to death if sown in the
Spring; if sown in the fall the cold of
winter kills the young plants. 1t does
not thrive on moist lands.
Grass mixtures in short rotations
are, as rule, composed of only few
species. Red clover and timothy, in
the proportion of about eight pounds OF
the former to six Of the latter-or a half
more if sown alone-is about the right
amount.
In lands too wet to cultivate, but not
long at one time under water, red top
and Asike clover are best. Sow about
five pounds of alsike seed and four
pounds red top seed. The alsike will
make a good growth the first few years,
while the red top will slowly but surely
form a permanent sod, even in spite OF
most other moist land grasses and
weeds.
Kentucky blue grass, orchard grass
and red clover, are best to SOW Ill
woodlands, on very rough or stony SOILS
and on lands which for other reasons
should be in permanent pasture. The
red clover will make a good growth the
first two or three seasons, then the
Kentucky blue grass will have its root
stalks so we'll developed as to make
good sod and produce fair or good yields
of excellent pasturage. The orchard
grass will, with the clover, furnish feed
first yea 7, and tussocks of it will long
remain in the Kentucky blue grass sod,
adding to the quantity and variety Of
pasturage produced. Sow two bushels,
or IS pounds, Kentucky blue grass, 5
pounds orchard grass, and pounds red
clover seed, in ordinary rough land, or
ia open wooded fields.
To Our Subscribers.
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