The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-06-03
AgriCultuIs
CRIMSON CLOvE1
Information About Preparation q Sell,
Seeding, Etc
Cor. of The Progressive Farmer.

Cor. of The Progressive Farmer.
Crimson clover can be sown during
the late summer or fall, either by itself
or at the last working of corn or cot
ton. Advantage should always be
taken of a favorable season for seed
ing this crop, as it sprouts very quick
" and easily. When sown by itself, it
s better always to prepare land in
tended for crimson clover as early as
can conveniently be done, and then
wait for a good rain. AS soon as prac-
dcable, after a rain, run a light har-
row over the ground to break the crust
Of the soil; then SOW the seed and
cover with smoothing harrow, brush
harrow or roller. A great many of
our truckers make it a rule to seed
crimson clover on all vacant land as
soon as the crops are taken off. 1t is
not at all necessary to replow for
crimson clover; in fact, it is better
not, if the land is reasonably clean
snd not too hard or compact. Running
cutaway or sharp-toothed harrow
over the land will, as a rule, give sufi-
Gent preparation on land where crops
lave been recently taken off, and bet
p stands will be secured than if the
md is freshly plowed. One of the
principal reasons why crimson clover
sometimes fails to give satisfactory
stands is on account of being sown on
freshly plowed land, which does not
seem to be compact enough to protect
the little rootlets against the hot, dry
spells which we sometimes experience
in the late summer and fall, and on
this account it is much better to seed
on land that has been plowed some
time previous to seeding.
USES, AND VALUE AS A SOIL IMPRovER
In addition to its great value for
pasturage, early green forage and hay,
crimson clover is unquestionably one
of the best soil improvers the farmer
can use. It not only adds to the fer
tility of the soil, but puts the land in
excellent condition for the crops
which are to follow it. 1t also prevents
the winter teaching of land, conserves
its fertilizing constituents, and will
increase the quantity and quality of
crops following it, wherever it is
grown. It's use is increasing very rap
idly, and it is only a question of its
merits becoming fully known, when it
will be appreciated and considered as
one of the most important crops for
farmers everywhere.
ITS GREAT VALUE FOR PAsTURAGE
The value of crimson clover for pas
turage alone should commend it for
universal use as it furnishes more and
better pasturage during the late fall,
winter and early spring than any 9th
er crop. Wherever sown largely for
pasturage the sowing of rye or barley
with it will prove of decided benefit
The crop can be grazed during the
winter, the cattle or sheep taken off it
the end of March, and a full crop
made afterwards, which can also be
used for hay or green feed, and then it
will leave the land in very much bet
ter condition than before the crimson
clover was sOwn.
BEST TIME TO SOW.
Sow at the rate of one peck 15 fbs.)
to the acre, and, where practicable,
sow at different times instead of SOW
ing the whole crop at one seeding, as
III some seasons the earlier seedlings
give best results, while in other years
later seedlings do the best. 1t can be
seeded from first of July to middle of
October, making it's full crop early the
following May, so that the crop can be
taken off or plowed under and followed
by corn or other summer crops, the
yield Of which will be very much in
creased when following a crop of Grim
son clover. The seed is low in price
this year and as it costs very little to
seed per acre, it should be more large
ly used than ever before.
T. W. WOOD.
Richmond, Va.
According +o som- experiments