The progressive farmer and the cotton plant., 1904-11-22
LUcERNE AND THE cLOvERS.
Some Critical Comments on the Different Varieties
by a Farmer of 90 Years. Experience.

am to get more letters asking for information
about lucerne and the clovers than l am able to
answer; so l will put it all in one, and ask you
to publish it in your valuable paper, of which
those persons are subscribers, as more would
read it.
For red clover I prepare the land as l do for
turnips. The red clover land should be prepared
like you do wheat, sowing broadcast and harrow
lightly. Don't sow on land infested by crab grass,
but SOW on land that has been preceded by a clean
crop the year before, for no crop will grow with
crab grass. Sow about 8 or 10 pounds to the acre,
which you can do by waving the hand across your
breast, opening with the forefnger, and a brisk
walk, will give you about that quantity-say 8
pounds. Sow early in April, and let it grow with
out any interference the first year unless crab
grass gets into it.
The same preparation will do for lucerne Cal
falfa). This may be moved when it gets a foot
high, and then every time it gets 6. foot and a
half high, say every thirty days, as long as you
live and your children. This habit increases it's
value. We have no crop that will equal it, giving
one to two tons of f~rst-class hay every thirty
days, of which all animals are fond, and eat with
avidity. While red clover is very valuable and
yields well, you can get but one crop of hay a
year. You must make the lucerne land very rich,
can't give it too much, stable and lot manure pre-
ferred.
I have not tried vetch except on a very small
scale, but my stock refused to eat it whether
green or cured. The same may be said of melli-
lotus, which looks like it might be called big
clover, as it was when / first saw it. A friend
sent me a quart of seed from the fine lands of
Alabama, but as my stock refused to Ell; it, /
soon gave ii up.
I have never grown crimson clover. 1t is a
beautiful crop, but being an annual, [ preferred
the red clover, which wants renovating once in
five years.
We have the burr or yellow clover, which grows
luxuriantly in fall and winter, and with bermuda
grass makes the best of pasture, one for summer
the other for winter. Horses are not very fond
of the burr clover, but will eat it very we'll in
winter. Bermuda grass beats them all either for
grazing or moving, when properly treated. 1t
yields well, and will bear more moving than any
other grass, and will feed more stock. 1t will
bear moving twice a year. Makes the best of hay.
Although lucerne will live a life time, yet it will
not bear treading over by heavy animals, COWS and
horses.
The red clover and lucerne seed may be had
both in Augusta, DR.. Alexander, or the Woods
in Richmond, Va, both Is to 80 cents, perhaps
less, a pound. / think six pounds will SOW one
half an acre.
This is intended for an answer to r. M. Clafy,
Fort Mills, S. c., and I. P. Person, Wexford
Station, Spartanburg Co., S.. c.. / have moved
red clover twice a year, but the second crop will
s~alivate horses and mules, but let it fall on the
ground to re-seed itself. With my best wishes
for your health and success, I am,
Truly yours,
J. WASHINGTON WATTS.