The Banner-Democrat., 1901-09-14

ths fine when crimson clover Is seededs
and as it is liable to fall If seeded too
late farmers have selected August Tor
not later than the middle OF SeptemberJ
as the best period for seeding the crop.
Az crimson clover seems to fall unex-
pectedly, and at other times gives good
results, it is difficult to induce some
farmers to use it; but as a rule many
failures that are attributed to the crop
are due to mistakes on the part Of the
farmer: They have been informed that
crimson clovef could be sown on the
ground. before corn was cut down, and
a good crop Of slower secured without
any PREPARATION of the soil; but while
crimson clover really grows at a season
of the year when no other crop IS oc-
cupying the land, and can be turned I'M
der even before warm weather appears
in the spring, yet it is not so good
servant as to thrive under adverse cir-
cumstances. 1t does not fulfill the ex-
pectatioh of those who desire to secure
a crop without labor. The fact IS that
it requires soil that has been we'll plowed,
and 1t will grow rapidly if given an op-
portunity: Early Seeding permits 1t to
get start and make considerable
! growth before winter, thus enabling 1t
to withstand a severe season. 1t then
starts off early III the spring, and by
the time the farmer is ready to plow his
corn land the crimson clover will be OF
sufficient height to be turned tndef as
manure.
Where the farmer desires to improve
his soil with green crops he does not
expect to invest largely In commercial
fertilizers, but he can assist his green
crops by the use of one substance that is
not costly and which is also d plant
food This substance is lime. When the
land Is pIowed the farmer should apply
about 20 bushels of air -slaked LIME, har-
: row well and then broadcast the seed.
narrowing again. The lime renders the
soil somewhat alkaline, which fits it for
the work of the minute bacteria which
I perform an important part in deriving
nitrogen from the atmosphere and al
y tering it so as to render it suitable for
e plants. The nitrogen is converted into
;. nitric acid, while the plant depends upor
i the soil for its mineral matter. The ash
v of plant will always contain lime, il
I only in small quantities, but the ash o
h clover shows lime to be an important in
e gredient Lime also assists in the lib
= Grafton of the inert materials of the soil
" the roots of the clover utilizing them a
h food for the plants. The entire crof
IS when plowed under, consequently nc
W only adds nitrogen to the land but re
"a turns also the mineral elements derive
from the lower soil, as we'll as the lin
er taken up during the growth. When tn
,r crop of crimson clover is plowed unds
to it will be of advantage to apply about !
& bushels per acre more of lime in order
e assist in 1ieutralizing the vegetable acie
r. that may be generated in the soil durin
SC the process of decomposition of the eli
n, yer. While an application of commerci
ut fertilizer will of course increase the crt
he of clover, yet the objects of many farr
ers is to attempt to avoid such expen
.t- and renovate their soils by the use
se lime and crimson clover only
,;s Green manurial crops give good I
no suits on all soils. Whether farm
nd fertile or impoverished the farmer ca
,re not add too much fertility to his lar
ore and the cheapest method of improy
of ment, except loss of time in some cas-
in is by blowing under green crops. If
,dc is desirous of saving time he should n
hat on commercial fertilizers. Fortunate
nd crimson clover occupies the land OF
at a period when no crop can be gro
(from fall to spring., hence it is 1
in the way of any other crop, and as
adds nitrogen to the soil (Which is
arr most expensive ingredient in fertilizer
the the farmer can re-enforce his clover
my trogen in the spring with a potash Z
S35 phosphoric acid fertilizer. Fertili
sne manufacturers understand the value
Is crimson clover to farmers and they c
per sequently prepare brands which cont
tne the mineral elements only. The farm
ives however, will lose nothing by hav
re- some kind of clover crop on his la
600 The growing crop will prevent loss fl
one teaching of the soil, and by shading
oth- soil the conditions are made more
the vorab'e for the work of the micro
TO- ganisms which are so essential to sue
per with certain crops. The large amoun
COW green material that may be turned ur
ing. renders the land better enabled to
ears moisture, and humus is formed W
OF the covering crop IS on the land. Out
the of the cost of the seed hut little exp,
her is connected with the growing of CT
aKeh son clover, and farmers should not {
it from their rotation of crops.-P)
the delphia Record.