Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-08-05

writer in Grange Homes
1t may not be known to all readers,
he says, that nitrogen is one OF the
most active agents In the stimulation
of plant growth, and the most costly
mart of all manures. United with
water 1t makes ammonia, and In this
form It is taken up by the roots OF all
rlants, and produces mysterious but
most powerful effect upon them. Not
withstanding the fact that there are
unlimited quantities OF 1t In the air
everywhere, II rs not in form to be
cumulative to plant growth. until 1t IL
chemically combined with other sub
stances. The clovers and COW peas
have the peculiar faculty OF appropri-
citing, Transforming, and retaining this
free nitrogen of the air In such way
as to make the richest kind Of plant
food from It. Wherever they Will
flourish land some OF them will do
| well almost anywhere), this may be
done at almost no cost. OF all OF
them crimson clover is the most pecnl-
iarly adapted to achieve this, and
wherever It will succeed 1t should be
grown for this purpose II for no other
II delights in rather loose, sandy
soil, and in a climate that Is neither
worry cold nor very hot. The seed
should be gown almost univert ally In
the late summer or early fall, as the
little plants will not endure the heat
,,f midsummer, but will dwindle and
die. III sown before the days begin to
yet little cool on the approach OF
fall the little plants will surely die.
but the moist soil ard cool weather of
the fall and the following spring seem
to Just suit their growth. II rot soWn
early enough for the plants to get
well rooted before freezing weather,
they will be heaved out of the ground
and dried to death by the cold es-
u, cially where there Is frequent frecz-
ing and thnwing Where snow covers
the ground all winter there Is little
trouble of this kind.
Experience has taught tnat some sort
Of protection In winter Is beneficial,
although It IL not always absolutely
necessary. Various methods are prac-
ticed to secure this protection. Where
tomatoes are grown for the canneries.
the clover seed is often sown at the
last cultivation, and the dead tomato
tops cover large part of the ground
and shelter the little clover plants,
Some SOW about one bushel, or half
tho usual amount of buckwheat per
acre. and fifteen pounds OF crimson
clover seed at the same tine. The
buckwheat may be harvested II It
natures, or allowed to fall down and
thus make a better mulch as protec-
ton than the stubble alone.
Another good plan Is to SOW turnip
seed along with the clover seed. The
largest Of the turnips may be gathered
and marketed or fed on the farm, and
the small ones left to shelter the
clover Some SOW about bushel Of
winter oats or rye per acre with the
clover, which not only acts as winter
protection. but keeps the clover from
falling down when 1t Is large enough
to cut, and helps to make excellent
hay
But there Is another very important
thing in the growth of crimson clover
that is deemed essential to complete
success, and that Is potash. 1t acts
on the clover like magic. making 1t
grow hixuriantly and gather much
more nitrogen from the air than II
no potash had beer applied. And then,
IL the clover crop Ia all plowed under
the potash IL there all safe, and IN the
best form to be ava liable for the next
crop, whatever that may be. 1t Is not
lest or wasted by any means, should
the clover be cut and fed to the stock.
for 1t would all be eventually returned
to the land in the shape of manure. To
rut the potash on the clover IL there.
fore much better than to wait until
after 1t has been grown, and then apply
ii to tho following crop of grain,
potatoes. or anything else. 1t will pay
ten times over for the longer time
taken, by enabling the clover to eX-
tract much more nitrogen from the
mir.
The Same treatment will prove
equally profitable for almost any
other Of the nitrogen gatherers, such
rs red clover or COW peas. Sow it on
the land AT time of seeding or soon
after DO not buy that which nature
end little ingenuity will give you for
almost nothing. If you are where Grim
son clover will succeed, try to have a
big crop of It to turn under In May. If
You will give II plenty of rctash YOU
will get the cost all back, and much
more, In big crcp of corn or what
ever YOU may choose to grow.