Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1908-04-03
GRANGE MEMBERS TALK
ABOUT CRIMSON CLOVER

q At the Grange on Saturday Charles
Barker took up the topic, crimson
: Clover" While 1t has been grown for
years it is comparatively recent that
/ farmers have realized its full value to
the soil.
b Prof. Penny carried on some very in-
teTesling experiments the past year
with clover grown on one OF Mr.. Bar
ker's farms. Several plots were selected
and Prof Penny found from samples
taken in January that 1.-THE best clover
was worth nearly 100 pounds Of nitro
gen per acre, equivalent to 200 pounds
Of nitrate OF soda" The medium
grade was worth about IS pounds OF
nitrogen per acre, equivalent to AL
pounds of nitrate Of soda"
The next test was April 18th when
"the average of seven plots was 2I4
pounds Of nitrogen per acre equivalent
to l49S pounds Of nitrate OF soda"
These plots so far as could be judged by
the eye were no better than large part
Of the field
The last test was made May 2lst
when the clover was just at full bloom.
''The nitrogen was ESQ pounds per acre
equivalent to 1850 pounds OF nitrate OF
soda" Prof. Penny concluded by
comparing this $50 pounds May 2lst
with the PA pounds April 18th and it
appears that about SO per cent Of the
nitrogen was grown On the early date
viz, five weeks before bloom. II the
clover had been turned under April
18th the loss in nitrogen would have
been very little"
These figures OF Prof PenDys show
the wonderful value OF the crop a. q
fertilizer. Take the tops for hay and
still the value is very great. There is
considerable difference Of opinion as to
the best time to SOW the seed. It is
usually planted in tomato and corn
land. Mr.. Barker would replant, II
necessary, up to October first. II isnOt
necessary to have cover crop. A
stubbe field plowed and planted Is
.
not in use can be planted with COW peas,
this crop cut for hay and then seeded
to crimson clover and there is pretty
sure to be a good catch
When planting crimson clover for
hay Mr.. Barker would advise sowing
wheat with it, one half bushel to the
acre. 1t adds to the feed and helps
hold up the clover. Years ago this
clover was not thought fit to feed but
now the value Of it is being found out
for horses as well as cows. When the
blossoms are at the brightest red put
the moving machine to work, rain or
shine. Better to have it slow in curing
than grow day too long.
When cultivating ccrn the last time
be would SOW clover seed whether wet,
dry, hot or cold. II killed it can be re-
planted. On land especially prepared
FOR it plant from Septemb Der LIST to l5tb.
Plow under early in the Spring for to.
natoes before the clover is more than
len to twelve inches high.
B. F. B. WOodall thinks too much
Fan not be claimed for crimson clover
md that the crop is a big part OF the
farming in this State It's poor crop
his year; he can not explain why.
He never failed before to get a good
,atch on corn land. He puts on 400
pounds OF fertilizer per acre early in
March and every third year gives a
light dressing Of lime. He follows the
clover with corn and has kept up this
citation for many years on the same
and getting q good yield Of clover hay
ollowed by fifty bushels Of corn per
lcre. One bushel of clover seed plants
i've acres and he prefers to SOW the
reed by hand. He has fed it to horses
or twelve years and there is no danger
I the hay is cut just before the clover
g in full bloom.
Mr. Hopkins thinks it is about 25
Years since crimson clover was first
,rown here. He had some thin land
hat grew ten to twelve bushels Of corn
,er acre. He putthis land in to clover,
aved the seed plOwed and put into
Orn again. This land has been IN
orn and clover every year since, Civ
Dg good crop of corn. II he culti-
ates this land twenty five years longer
/ will still grow clover and corn. Nj.
Hopkins differs from Mr.. WoOdall IS
0 the use Of lime considering it a posi-.
i've injury.
r. E. Hazard never failed to get
atch in corn but soon the clover dies
ut and he never intends to plant In
orn again. He never has failure IN
omatO land,