Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-08-12
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CRIMSON CLOVER
Its Value as Soil Improver Shown by
Government Bulletin.


Crimson clover Is discussed at great
length in farmers bulletin just issu-
ed by the United States department of
agriculture, embodying a paper pre-
pared by j. M. Westgate, agronomist
in charge of clover Investigations, Of
flee of forage-crop investigations, bu-
reau of plant industry.
Probably the most important char
acteristic of crimson clover is its abili-
ty to grow and make its crop during
the season when the land is not occu-
pied by the ordinary summer-grown
crops. In sections where 1t succeeds,
crimson clover can be sown following
a grain crop or in an intertilled crop in
late summer and will mature a hay
crop in the following spring in time to
plow the land for spring-seeded crops,
such as corn or cotton. 1t may even be
held for seed as far north as central
Delaware and the stubble be plowed
under in time for seeding the quick
maturing strains of corn. 1t may be
turned for soil Improvement when only
six inches high II 1t is desired to fit the
land for early spring-seeded crops,
Even If only the stubble be turned un-
der, the effect upon the succeeding crop
will be marked, especially If the soil be
deficient in nitrogenous fertilizers. The
plowing under of the entire plant, how
ever, will more rapidly correct any de-
ficiency Of nitrates or humus in the
soil.
Crimson clover is a winter annual,
that is, 1t ordinarily makes its early
growth in the autumn, passes the WIN
tr in a somewhat dormant but green
state, makes very early spring growth
and natures its seed and dies before
summer. 1t makes little or no growth
in very hot weather and therefore
should not be sown in the spring, ex-
cept in the extreme north, where 1t
may make satisfactory growth by
autumn, so that hay crop may be
taken from it at that time.
What the Plant Requires.
"The lack of timely rains in late
summer is responsible for most of the
failures to obtain a satisfactory stand.
The young seedlings are very easily
killed by the hot sun or lack Of mois-
ture. On the other hand, If the seed
ing be delayed too long, as for in
stance, in waiting for the proper con-
ditions Of soil moisture, the plants will
be unable to make sufficient growth to
withstand the winter. Briefly speaking.
crimson clover should be seeded shall
low on a moist, reasonably fertile,
well-settled seed bed. incubation in
some form should be provided, especi-
ally when seeding it for the first time on
any fields in sections comparatively
new to this crop.
Crimson clover is not adopted to
the white clay lands in their present
condition in some portions of the At
lantic coastal plain. Such fields should
be seeded to soy beans or cowpeas
when a leguminous crop is desired for
soil Improvement or other purposes.
Crimson clover does not do well on
rough, newly cleared land and 1t ordi-
narily requires the production Of two
or three crops or a special preparation
by lining, manuring and inoculating
before such land presents conditions
satisfactory for seeding.
Preparation of the Seed Bed.
1.-The seed bed for crimson clover
should be firm, moist, we'll settled and
fine on top. Any efforts that may be
expended to conserve the soil moisture
previous to seeding are usually justi-
fled, especially if there be any lack Of
rainfall during the month previous or
the month following seeding. Where
the clover Is seeded in an intertilled
crop, such as corn, cotton or tomatos,
the customary cultivation received by
these crops is ordinarily sufficient for
the needs of crimson clover. Where
grain stubble land is plowed in prera
alton for the clover, a month or six
weeks are ordinarily required for the
soil to settle sufficiently to make
proper seed bed, since after plowing at
least one soaking rain, which compacts
the soil and fills 1t with moisture, Is
essential to the proper preparation of
the seed bed for crimson clover. If the
ground be disked, much shorter time
and less rain are required for the prop
er settling of the seed bed.
1.-The best method Of retaining the
moisture in the seed bed is to harrow
or give shallow cultivation shortly af-
ter each rain. A fine soil mulch on the
surface will largely prevent the soil
just beneath the surface from losing
its moisture through evaporation. Such
surface tillage should, of course, be
given before seeding the crimson clo-
yer.
Fertilizers for the Crop.
Under the ordinary conditions of
soil fertility the fertilizer applied to
the preceding crop is sufficient for the
needs of crimson clover. This is es-
pecially true where the clover follows
such crops as potatoes or tomatoes,
which are ordinarily heavily treated
with fertilizers that are not entirely
used up by these crops.
If the soil be low in nitrates light
application of nitrate of soda will as