The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-03-05
Red Clover b the Eonth.

Farmers Bulletin Is: Until recent
ly it has been thought that red clever
could not be grown in the Southern
states, but our experience has been
that on suitable soils and with proper
management it will grow fully as well
here as in any of the Northern states,
and that, while it does not last as
long here, its yield is heavier, and on
account Of it's more rapid growth, the
quality Of hay is better. In North
Carolina it has succeeded we'll and has
maintained a full stand longer than in
most other sections; while on the
sandy white soil of the Florida station
1t has done but little. At the Louis
lana station it has made a vigorous
growth, affording two large cuttings
during the first season, but it soon sue
cumbs to the encroachments Of native
grasses. At the Mississippi station on
rich creek bottom and on black prairie
soils 1t has given excellent results,
making 2 tons Of hay per acre in May,
another ton in June, and in favorable
seasons another ton in September,
though the last cutting has been unre-
liable on account of summer drouths.
Where such yields can be made it is
one OF the best crops which can be
grown, but there are many localities in
the South where it has not been found
profitable. 1t requires a soil which is
rich and in fairly good condition to
secure catch" of the seed, and on
many soils where it makes a promis-
ing start and yields two or three cut 4
tings 1t soon becomes overrun with the
native grasses and is choked out. Or
dinarily it will not pay to grow it more
than two years on the same ground,
as by the end of that time it will have
done its best work in fertilizing the
soil, and the land will give better re-
turns If the last crop of clover is
ploWed under and the field planted to
some other crop. AS the plants pro-
duce seed abundantly here and are
not infested with the insects which
nave recently done so much damage to
the crop in the Northern states, there
seems to be no reason why the seed
crop should not become Of considerable
Importance.
Red clover is a universally recog-
nized standard in estimating the values
OF all other crops, when grown either
for hay or as a green manure, and we
nave made special efforts to test it on
as great variety of soils as possible,
and do not hesitate to recommend it
Tor all rich soils which are in good me-
chanical condition; but it is useless to |
SOW it on barren fields, or on rough |
and poorly prepared lands of any kind. |
1t seems best suited for growth on al |
luVlal and black prairie soils, and has |
never been satisfactory on sandy or |
white lime lands. August sowings have
given the best satisfaction, as the |
plants from such soWings are sufficient
ly strong to keep down any growth of
wild grasses and weeds the next spring.
and will give heavy cutting of hay |
IN May. If sown in February, the
more common time, the first cutting
VIII be principally of volunteer grasses.
Dut the clover will give two good cut
lungs later. Sowing with oats in Feb
Fuary is often successful, but the cloy-
erfs often injured by cutting the oats.
thus removing the shade just at the
beginning of the hot weather., Sow 1
oushel Of the seed to each 5 acres,