The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-08-03

left in the soil add more fertility in
the form Of nitrogen than we secure
from what is considered heavy ap-
plication of commercial fertilizers.
When the whole crop is turned under
it often doubles the yield Of the land
for the succeeding crop.
Many farmers do not grow clover
simply because they have never done
so. When properly understood this
crop is no more difficult to grow than
many other farm crops. Many farm
ers in the Coastal Plain Section Of
North Carolina and few adjoining
states think that clover will grow only
in the Piedmont region. This is a
wrong impression, since those who
have tried it properly in the Coastal
Plains have succeeded with it we'll.
Clover makes a slow growth during
the winter months in this locality.
Little grazing may be expected from
it before the latter part Of February
or the first of ,Iarch. About that
time it starts up vigorously, and, if
not grazed, it will be in full bloom
about the last part of April, at which
time it will be ready to cut. If IN
tended for forage it should not be
allowed to become too ripe before cut
ting. If used to turn under as a
soil renovator, it will die down IN
plenty of time for the planting Of
corn or other spring planted crops.
Probably nothing else will cause the
crops following to give as big yield
at so little expense. If cut over ripe,
or after the seeds have formed, the
hay has been found dangerous for
horses, but if cut just before full
bloom and fed with other foods, there
! is no special danger in feeding it to
horses.
How to Proceed.
The land intended for clover should
have the same good preparation that
an intelligent farmer gives land for
other crops. The land should be bro
ken to depth Of from 6 to 8 or even
10 inches at least two or three weeks
before planting, and in such manner
that the soil will not be ;urned bot
tom-side upwards. It is often detri-
mental to turn the raw clay out OH
! top unless it has been deeply broken
two or three years previously so that
! it has gone through a weatherlng pro-
cess. Two or three good dlsclngs or
thorough lharrowings should be given
as soon as the land is broken. This is
absolutely necessary in order to Sc
cure proper planting and termination.
Two or three good rains on lands thus
prepared settle the soil and make an
ideal seed-bed. If the land had good,
deep breaking for the previous crop,
probably the discings Or the harrow
ings will be sufficient preparation.
Sowing.
| Experiments have shown that, as a
rule, early paintings have been most
successful. The majority Of farmers
seem to prefer planting from early
in August to September the 10Th. In
some localities it has been known to
do we'll when planted as late as the
first of November, but late planting
should not be depended upon. OF
course the soil conditions Will largely
govern the time Of planting. About
Is pounds of seed per acre is required.
These may be sown by seeder or by
hand. They should not be put in deep
ly. Where possible to do so, we urge
farmers to plant clover in corn and
cotton at laying-by time or after the
first picking Of cotton. This will serve
as a cover crop, and will add fertility
and humus to the land and will also
furnish some food for animals.
incubation.
Glover, being a leguminous plant:
must have incubation to do we'll on
most. soils. incubation produces the
germs that enable it to get the nitro
gen it needs from the air. This nj
trogen from the air is not only nee
essary for the growth of the clover,
but is rich fertilizing material which
is left in the soil where such plants
grow. There are threS ways Of inoc-
ulating soil. One way is to continue
clover on the same land for a series
Of wears until it gets the soil we'll
Gllo1 with +ho neeeSSarV germs This