The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-08-13
cIovers and Grasses.

Last week I called the attention Of our
farmers to the Importance of preparing
something for winter pastures and that
article treated largely on grains suitable
for that purpose. I now propose to no
ticelsome clovers and grasses which may
alsoNhe used to good profit for this pur-
rose. NNThese may be grown with the win
ter rye\and barley or may be grown sep
arate. However, they may be grown
more profit able for pasture If grown with
the hardyNwinter grains.
Since myNartiele on winter pastures,
have had al number OF inquiries about
various grains. olovers and grasses suit
able for diffesent sections. These inquir.
les would irhAcabe that 1t Is necessary
TO explain What sections this information
is best adapted for. The information is
general and will do for general use over
a very large ri.nge of country, yet the
information is especially adapted for
Southwest Missouri and all points south
OF Missouri Really there Is no section
where winter pastures will pay as well
as in the south and southwest where
the expense of feeding stock through
winter may be greatly reduced by the
growing Of winter pastures. 1t is very
strange that farmers are SO slow
T. learn these things. l have ex-
planned from time To time the value and
Importance of keeping something green
10 grow on the soil al the time. not only
for pasture but to hold and protect the
soil from washing and leeching out plant
foods during our heavy winter rains.
Farmers in many states, Maryland
Pennsy lvania, New York and Wisconsin,
have learned these matters and in these
and many other states we find a large
line of grains and clovers being grown
for winter pasture, for soiling crops and
to turn under for fertlizing purposes.
In Wisconsin the farmers SOW winter
rye for pasture, although they get but a
short time for pasturing the rye, often
not more than two months, for the rye is
showed under early in the winter and re-
mains so all winter or until late in the
spring, SO that the grazing season is
short often only a few weeks until the
stock is taken Off and the rye is allowed
to grow up and lbloom, and then Ii is
turned under andl corn or potatoes are
planted
But in the south or southwest, rye will
grow nearly all the winter and there is
only a short season when 1t may not be
pastured to good advantage. Now, l call
the attention of the reader to the value
of crimson clover for sowing with winter
rye or barley for winner pastures, as IL
increases the amount of feed very much.
AS this valuable plant seems to be so
little known, / will give a description of
tie plant with Its growth, habits, feed
and fertilizer value.
Crimson Glover.
Crimson Clover-fnrifoium incarnata),
known also as scarlet. Italian and Ger
man clover, is an annual leguminous
plant. growing from one to three feet
high with flower heads one and a half to
two inches long. and of a bright crimson
red color The general appearance of
the plant is much like red clover, the
distinguishing difference rs to be noted
In the shape and color of the bloom.
The seed are wholly unlike red clover,
being twice as large. almost round and
ranging in color from a light yellowish
gray to red. Old seed are red and should
be avoided, because they will not grow.
New, fresh seed only should be used.
and these tested before using. 1t will be
we'll to remember that crimson clover is
an annual, and that it makes its seed
the same year sown. That is, when seed
are sown in the fail the crop from this
seeding will mature, seed the next spring,
or where seed are sown in the spring,
the crop will make seed the following