The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-17
More About Crimson Clover.

few years only have elapsed since
the cultivation of this crop was regarded
as an experiment but that time has pass
ed. Repeated trials have demonstrated
its value, and at present crimson clover
has fixed place among soil renovators
1t is true it thrives better in some local.
ties than others, but even in sections
where killed during winter Ii will, if sown
sufficiently early, have attained ample
growth to more than pay the cost of seed
and sowing.
This plant, like all other clovers. belongs
to the family of legumes and shares their
distinctive property of absorbing nitrogen
from the air. Therefore it's cultivation re-
suits in decided gain TO the soil
Crimson clover grows at a season of the
year when of special Importance. In some
of the Northern states 1t can be sown as
early as July, and in the Southern states
as late as October. Tn either case Ia gets
a good start before freezing weather sets
in. During the winter months 1t serves
as a covering for the soil, thereby pre-
venting the teaching of plant food. II is
well to remark here that in some sections
more plant food is washed out of the soil
by winter rains than is taken away by
cropping. Crimson clover attains its
growth early in the spring, and can be
turned under in time for most crops to
succeed and receive the full benefit of the
nitrogen and organic matter it may have
accumulated and added to the soil.
Crimson clover is a hardy feeder and re-
covers pant food from the soil that is not
available for many other crops; this re-
fers to the mineral ingredients, phosphoric
acid and potash. The nitrogen as already
explained, is taken from the air. To pre-
vent, however, the gradual exhaustion of
phosphoric acid and potash ii is we'll to
keep up the soils natural supply of these
ingredients by making annual appca-
tons; this will have the additional effect
of producing a heavier growth of clover.
which means an increased amount of nj
trogen. The soil in this way will con-
stantly improve. The item Of nitrogen is
important because this ingredient costs
much more than either of the other two.
This being disposed of, the fertilizing OF
the clover resolves itself into very SIM
pie and economical matter. An annual
dose of 800 to 400 pounds of acid pbos-
phate, or dissolved bone, and $50 to 200
pounds of muriate of potash win not onl,
serve for the clover, but also for the she
ceeding crop.
In green manuring 1t Is found advisa bic
occasionally, say once in every FIVE wears
TO make an application of slaked lime #
the rate of from thirty to forty bushels
per acre; this will promote rhe rapid de-
composition of the organic matter. ana
at the same time correct any tendency TO
sourness or acidity, which is so often met
with where green crops have been turned
under.
In the South crimson clover can be sown
among the cotton and corn, thus affordins-
ample protection to the soil during the
winter months, and at the same time gath
ering nitrogen TO be returned 70 the Sal.
In the Northern states ii can be sown
among the corn and also in the orchard
where 1t is of special value TIere -
keeps the soil In good condition. furnishes
SUFFICIENT nitrogen to promote a strone
and vigorous, but not unhealthy. growth
OF the trees, which is so much desired nv
trult growers. All the clover needs Is a
little mineral food and it will do the rest.
~ Bryan Tyson.