The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1913-08-02
SWEET GLOVER OR B0KHARA


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For many years sweet clover was looked upon a a no1ious
weed, and one of the FIRST questions asked when buying alfalfa seed
was, us it free from sweet clover ?" In the past few years sweet
clover has become very popular, not because the plant itself has
undergone any change, but its value has become more generally
known and better understood. This is also true of many plants
that W e consider of no us to mankind, but each one Of them is
here for a special purpose. Four or five years ago the Wyoming
college made a lamb and sheep feeding test and found that sweet
clover a superior to alfalfa About this time the farmers of
western and northwestern Nebraska began to use it as a fertilizer
In some parts of Nebraska the soil is more or less sandy and by
blowing under the second years growth they increased their yield
o wheat as high as nine to fourteen bushels per acre.
Rssmuss Hof, one of the foremost agriculturists of the State
of Idaho, said 81 had ten acres of sweet clover. on which 1 pastured
all Summer, II head of milk COWS. Not only did 1 increase the
flow Of milk and got a higher percentage Of butter fat, but the cows
gained in weight"
The plant is a biennial and bears a close resemblance to af-
alta, but is larger and coarser in every way. 1t will make an excel
lent growth on lime lands, on stifest clays, r O soil so hard and
barren that it will no longer sustain other vegetation. 1t makes
only a moderate growth and seldom blooms the first year, but dur
ing the second year it grows from four to seven feet high, making
stronger and heavier roots than any other forage plant AT the end
OF the season it natures its seed and dies out, the roots decaying
soon after. On account of its strong odor, sweet clover is not liked
very much by stock at first, but since it starts very early in the
Spring when other forage is scarce, animals turned into a pasture
of it at that time soon acquire a taste for it and eat it readily
throughout the remainder of the season. Stock at any time turned
in a field of sweet clover will never bloat on it as they do on other
cLovers When grown for hay one crop and sometimes two can be
cut the following Summer and Fall; the following year two and
three crops may be cut. Unless cut early, just before it begins to
bloom, the stems become hard and woody. Great care is needed
In harvesting the a s. ~ leaves urOp TedlLy Vi III stems
The best time to handle it is early in the morning when the dew
is still on An excellent hay can be made if taken care Of as sug
gested. While sweet clover hay will not sell as readily on the mar
ket, it can be used to advantage on the farm. 1t will not only fur
nsh an excellent pasture in the spring, but a heavy crop through
out the growing season. The roots are very long, penetrating the
soil to a depth of three to four feet, II quite large, and being
feshy, decay more rapidly than alfalfa roots, hence their nitrogen
becomes more quickly available for other crops. As they decay at
the end Of the-second season they add a good supply OF humus
also leave the soil with minute holes which act as drains. If cut
before it ripens the seed will not spread. However, it will reseed
the ground thoroughly if not cut in due time.
Sow about 10 to Is pounds per acre. 1t is best to SOW the
huned seed for the unhulled is very slow in terminating. 1t is diff
fcult to get the seed straight, the plant growing largely in irrigated
districts, and is a a rule, slightly mixed with alfalfa seed. This
however, is not detrimental.
Sweet clover is a good green manuring crop to use in bringing
up the value of old fields, barren, or washed places where a large
amount of heterogeneous organic matter is desired. 1t is also one Of
our best honey plants, as its flowers produce a n abundance of nee
tar. Some beekeepers estimate the value in honey alone of one
ere of sweet clover at $40 to s25.
l believe 1 make no mistake in recommending the cultivation
of sweet clover for pastures, for hay, and for renovating worn out
lands and worthless soils.