Evening journal., 1913-07-18


crimson clover seeding:
During the past few years the value
OF crimson clover for soil improve
ment has been fully demonstrated in
Delaware. Maryland and parts OF
New Jersey. There is little doubt
that crimson clover is the cheapest
and most effective green manure crop
that can be grown in these sections.
Considering the season and the mum
Der Of months the plant occupies in
the ground. the cost of seed, fertilizer
and soil preparation, as contrasted
with the value of the crop removed
and the effects on the SOIL crimson
clover growing is highly profitable.
The experience of hundreds Of farm
crs has shown that crimson clover
will produce a crop of hay and leave
HE soil in a condition of fertility
equavalent to applying twelve loads
OF stable manure per acre. However,
on lands of less fertility the entire
crop is turned under. After the soil
has been improved, as good results
are secured where the crop rs cut
and removed as where plowed under.
Adaptation.
Crimson clover is especially well
adapted 10 the climatic condition OF
the States mentioned above. The
mild, even climate, with the absence
Of sudden and extreme changes OF
temperature favors the best develop
meut Of the plant The amount and
distribution Of the rainfall during the
summer months insure the prompt
termination of the seed during the
heated portion of the year. The open
winters allow the clover TO make
some growth nearly every MONTH
which is an advantage in conserving
the fertility Of the soil and in pre-
venting blowing and washing. The
length Of the growing season is such
that crimson clover may be followed
by other crops which in turn may be
seeded to clover again in the tall.
Also. q seed crop OF crimson clover
may be removed in time TO grow a
crop of corn or late potatoes.
Soils.
Crimson clover will grow on any
type of soil, varying from a stif clay
to almost pure sand although the
plant will thrive best, other condi-
tions being equal. on q loan soil.
Certain precaution IN sowing and fer
tilizine are necessary 70 secure good
results on heavy clays or on very
sandy soils. Earlier sowing should be
the practice on clay soils, as the plant
must be we'll established 10 prevent
hoaving out during winter A poor,
sandy soil viii reQuiSr a small apph-
cation Of mineral fertilizers. phos
phoric acid and potash, in order to
start the plants Often the lack of
organic matter or humus in the soil
will prevent the retention of moisture
70 such an extent that the clover will
die soon after termination. II Il germ
mates at all While crimson clover
has the reputation OF growing on rela-
lively poor land, yet in introducing
the crop some attention must be paid
to the condition of the soil as tc
moisture and plant food at seeding
time.
Preparation Of the Soil.
The general practice Of sowini
clover is 20 follow some cultivated
crop This does away with the aeces
sity for special soil preparation o
the use Of n nurse crop, One OF th'
advantages Of crimson clover is ~
habit offstarting growth amid othel
-growjIfR vegetation Crimson clover
sa&in In corn, tomatoes or potatoes
will catch readily II the seed bed Is IN
good condition Moisture and a light
covering of the seed are necessary "a
insure prompt termination and de
velopment. Hence. u will pay well
to thoroughly cultivate the previou1
crop, as the shallow mulch formed
by proper cultivation will not be OF
advantage to the growing corn, but
the moisture retained by this practice
will leave the soil in the best con-
dition for sowing clover. As Grim
son clover is sown at the hottest sea-
son of the year. some care must be
taken 70 have moisture conditions
favorable. With certain crops, as
tomatoes. It may be practicable "a
harrow in the seed, but the shade OF
the vegetation may serve TO start
termination. Most farmers aim e
SOW at the last cultivation of the
crop. the labor serving a double pur.
pose On soils of low fertility OF
after a crop like wheat or oats, the
ground must be especially prepared
either by disking or plowing. Wher
sown in this manner the growth Is
generally more rapid. a better distrib
utcd stand is secured, and the plants
pass the winter in a more vigorous
condition.
Time Of Seeding Crimson clover
when following corn or tomatoes, u
generally sown at the last workini
of the crop This saves additiona
soil preparation and the plants arr
given an early start However SOW
ing may be delayed and the sect
narrowed in later The general prae
Hce in Delaware is TO grow from
Tulv 1st 10 August 18th. A soil in
good state Of fertility will bear SOW
Ing somewhat later than a poor soil
Seeding may take place on especially
prepared ground in the open some
what later than when sown in corr
In anv case II is very desirable I
have the plants make suiiicien
growth for good roofing before freez
Ing weather.
Rate of eeding-Practice has de
termined the use OF about Is pound
of seed per acre Few growers SOY
more or less. Thick seeding Is re
commended BY some growers to pre-
vent heaving out thick IA
growth may in some cases serve
cover the ground so as TO lessen th
daily freezing and thawing Of IN
surface. which may iniure the plant
Too thick growth does not allow S
perfect development OF the individu'
plant. and on thin soil the dens
stand interferes with the size an
maturitv Of the crop.
Methods Of Seeding-Crimson clo'
er is generally sown broadcast
hand. OF with a grass seeding.
portable seeding or hand-sowing
necessary in standing corn. III
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