The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-10

\
| been no recent application OF fertiliz-
ers, good formula, that seems to do
| we'll on this class OF soils is 400 pounds
| per aero OF mixture OF equal parts
! OF acid phosphate and kainit. This
| inexpensive mixture has proved. by re-
J cent experiments. an excellent one for
| red clover. as well rs crimson on sandy
soils. For clay soils 400 pounds per
| acre OF acid phosphate are ordinarily
sufficient.
If the soil is low in nitrates light
application of nitrate of soda. even
teriaily In giving the young clover
plants good start. and often enable
them to Withstand the effects of a late
drought or severe winter. which other
wise might prove fatal to the stand
II the seeding has been delayed. as
by waiting for suitable rains. an ap-
plication of nitrate fertilizer will
stimulate the young plants and enable
them TO make an increased growth be-
fore winter. Any direct application of
fertilizer is usually made at seeding
time. but unless 1t is necessary for rea-
sons given above--late seeding or dam
ger OF winter killng-it is best to,
apply soluble fertilizers such ms nitrate
OF soda as top dressing in spring
tor the reason that there Is no loss by
teaching during the winter, and that
the plants are by this method nourish-
ed At the timo they are making their
most vigorous growth and can absorb
all OF the application. Such top dress
ing should not be made when the leaves
are wet with rain or dew. Where thi,.
called spots occur in field seeded
with crimson clover, top dressing of
manure applied during winter or very
early spring will be great benefit
and help TO stop erosion Where the
clover is not sown in the corn or other
cultivated crop the manure should be
spread before seeding and worked into
the soil, and n second application as a
top dressing should he given such thin
places if possible.
Fertilizers and InocuIation
The more vigorous the growth that
can be induced hy the application Of
suitable fertilizer the more marked
VIII be the increase in the WELD of
the succeeding crops. on soil not we'll
supplied with humas or plant food the
use of reasonable amount of fer
ulizer VIII often enable a successful
crop OF clover and succeeding crons
TO be produced wh.ce. had the fer
iilizer not been applied, the clover
would have failed. Furthermore the
following crop, particularly X IL be
corn. would also fail 10 give the in
creased yield which fc'lows a success
lui stand OF crimson clover
In sections new to this crop inoo-
culation in some form is usually neccs
sary Fortunately. most OF the soils
In the crimson clover section appear "a
be already inocculated This is espa-
clallF true In sandy soil areas. where
crimson clover has been grown for n
number OF seasons. Inocculation by the
use OF soil from q crimson clover fold
is more certain than the use OF pure
culture But II must he remembered
there is the danger Of introducing new
hoaious weeds. especially II the soil
Is brought from a distance. There is
less danger in this respect IL the soil
IS Obtained in the same neighborhood
care must be taken not TO allow the
not sun 10 shine upon the cultures or
the soil for inocculation or even The
seed after II is broadcasted For this
reason. II Is safer to seed on n cloudy
DAY or in the evening. and cover i'm
mediately after sowing one Very SAT
isiactory method of .nocc;lation i Ia
mix together equal parts OF the proper
sol! and seed and sowing immediately
In front Of the covering harrow. Grim
son clover may be sown broadcast bv
hand, or with any Kind or seeder To-,
small grain. II IL sometimes drilled in.
ana there are number Of specially
constructed drills designed for this Dur-
pose. The ordinary rate OF seeding is
hfteen pounds p"r acre although some
use twenty pounds. while others arc
able to obtain satisfactory stands win
only twelve pounds per acre. II Is wei
TO have fairly thick stand Of the
%orng plants, 50 that the ground NAV
be weil covered, even during tho fail.
ami thus prevent the w!uter-Rrowiute
weeds from establishing themselves.
for those who have their own seed.
sowing !, In the huli L. 8 worry good
"ay II IS Claimed tho hull holds the
moisture 10 some extent. Many farm
er- run the clover that has been cut
after the seed IS mature through an
ordinary grain ihraShcr which delivers