Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-01-05
"sPEED THE PLow."
Value of Red Clover.

ONE OF THE BEST FEEDS FOR ALL LIVE
STOCK AND IMPROVES SOIL
There is no plant so widely distrib-
uted that equals the red clover, a plant
which furnishes two crops each season
of most valuable hay, or, if we prefer,
quick growing pasturage almost un-
equalled, and while doing this is max
ing the ground more fertile, says Charles
A. Umoselle, in New York Tribune
Farmer. The feeding value is almost
as great as grain, and in addition il pro-
vides roughsge. To produce grain the
most valuable element in the soil, nitro
the expression, "Grain is hard on the
SOIL" To produce clover is good for the
soil. All legumes are soil renovators to
certain extent. Glover Is the most i'm
portant, followed closely by cowpeas and
soy beans. Nearly every system of rota-
ton includes clover, for the purpose Of
counteracting the bad effects of the other
crop of the rotation. In many cases no
| rotation is practised, and year after year
some crop does all it can to exhaust the
fertility, and practically nothing Is done
to correct the evil The ultimate out
come is abandonment But SO long as
the soil will produce clover there is hope.
BY free use of clover, cutting aud feed
ing the first crop, returning the manure
to the land and turning under the second
one, allowing no grain or timothy to
grow until considerable improvement is
noted, rich farm will result. Thou
sands of farms are in bad condition, pro-
ducing very scsntily, that clover proper
ly handled will soon convert into paying
investments. Glover will not restore all
elements of fertility, but will restore
nitrogen, the most important and most
expensive, while the others, potash and
phosphate, can be bought and added as
needed. Some farmers are getting rich
where others have failed, using for that
purpose red clover.
The farmer who practises the ruination
policy usually gets sick of his job, be-
cause the farm produces so little, and
sells it at a sacrifice. Then the clover
advocate buys it and it at once begins to
improve.
Only the highest grade of seed should
be sown, for the difference in price is Off
set by the advantage from the difference
in quality. The best grade, recleaned
seed, is practically free from obnoxious
weed seeds, and is nearly sure to germi-
nate, while low grade seed contains dod
der, plsntain and the like to an astonish-
ing degree, often the result of adultera-
ton, and the clover is of a low degree of
A field / saw recently had a
fine stand of plantain, while clover and
were very little in evidence.
Another cause of failure to get good set
of clover is not seeding heavily enough,
and also leaving the seeding too late in the
season. Alone, a bushel to five acres is
none too heavy, and is more evenly sown
by two seedlings, one crosswise OF the
other. The wheelbarrow seeder is by
far the best for grass and clover. Cover
lightly with harrow or weeder. One
of the most important properties OF red
clover is it's power to gather nitrogen
from the air and store it in the soil,
where subsequent crops may derive
benefit. Thus il is soil renovator and
quite the crop for worn out land. Be-
sides its work in storing nitrogen, it
makes more available lime and potash
and improves the mechanical condition
of the SOIL A further advantage is gain
ed by turning under the second crop, for
this green manuring adds much humus
to and improves the physical condition
of the soil. All crops grow we'll after
clover, so it should figure largely in every
system of rotation, for If properly fed 1t
is quite as valuable as any other feed,
besides renoyating the soil.
Glover hay properly cut and cured is
very rich, succulent and palatable. All
stock like it and do well on it, for it is
very nearly balanced ration, being very
rich in protein, containing more nitrogen
than timothy hay and almost as much as
the grains. Cattle and mules may be
wintered in fine condition on it. The
same is true of sheep, but for work
horses mixed hay is best. When fatten- |
ing cattle, mules or sheep very much less
grain is required. For these reasons the
farmer who has large supply Of fine
clover hay is in position to winter his stock
in good condition and cheaply. The
feeder so provided grows mutton and
beef for less pound than when using
largely of concentrates. Glover will |
pasture more stock an acre than blue |
grass or timothy, on account of its height |
and rapid growth. All kinds of stock |
are fond of clover and fine gains are made |
on it. When once the pasture is short |
only few days of rest are required to be |
ready for the stock again. A mistake is
often found in letting the clover get too
rank before turning in on it. Stock do
not like stalky, seedy clover, and waste
large part by trampling under foot.
Cheap pork is produced on clover,
and it is the best substitute for corn. |
On the process of cutting and curing
depends the value of clover hay. We
may get a choice article or almost a
worthless one. Cutting, curing and
shocking or hauling in should be done
the same day, for dew, overcuring, rain
and the like contribute to lessen its
value. Cut down early in the morning
enough to shock or haul in in the even
ing, and very little risk will be run and
sweet, nutritious feed obtained.