Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1915-09-05
Legumes, Crimson Clover, Spotted ] Burr Glover and Hairy Vetch Are : Better Soil Improvers Than the Z Small Grains.


 practiced.
 The fall seeded legumes, such as crimson clover, spotted burr clover and hairy vetch are better soil i'm provers than the small grains, since by the means of. the bacteria living in nodules on the roots they are able to take free nitrogen from the air and transfer it in the plant tissues.
 lA,@ Time of Seeding.
 These crops are best seeded in late August or early September over the greater part of the state, though the time may be safely extended until Oc- tober in, southern districts. Such a seeding will depend largely on the amount of soil mixture present, the earlier seedlings are, however, prefer- able in order to secure increased hard mess during winter and this, in turn, results in greater yields in the spring crops, = 7 Crimson clover Is especially desira- ble where a quick growing annual le- gume is desired to follow corn or cot ton in a rotation. The crop, if used for hay, will be- ready. to cut in late April and can then, be followed with other, crops, such as corn, cowpeas and sorgllunl, Crimson. clc over 7. seed can be purchased comparatively cheap upon the market: Seeding thel crop between rows of corn or after, cow peas is fr6auently spracticeds ;, Crimson clover makes "a very desirable, winter cover crop, especially. when it is p1a1lt- ed upon properly preparedl ground Care should be taken not to cover the seed too deep. : ,s| Y s..; 4..s,.s-
 A Good Combination.
 Burr clover is reseeding in habit and consequently is especially adapt ed to land which is to remain in pas ture or meadow, for few years. With Bermuda and Lespedeza, burr clover makes one of the best possible combi- nations. Seed can be secured from most any of the seed companies. Usually the hulled seed is imported. This seed is high priced for extensive planting. A small acreage, should, however, be planted from which seed can be secured for the following sea- son. Burr clover, as a rule, contains a large per cent of hard seed, which do not absorb moisture and germinate the first year planted, consequently it is necessary to resort to boiling the seed for one minute before seeding. Where boiling is attempted and the crop is being grown for the first time, attention should be given to securing inoculation in some other way. When the crop is seeded for the first time in the burr inoculation is said to he quite certain.
 European Vetch Is Scarce.
 Winter vetcA is product of the war zone, and the seed according to report is rather high in price and can not be obtained in large quantities Such seed as is obtained is likely to be old and should be thoroughly test ed for germination. This crop is one that is very desirable, especially in combination with winter rye or winter oats.
 Winter small grain should not be forgotten in seeding fall crops. Win ter rye for fall, winter and early spring pasture is especially desirable because of the ability of the crop to grow in cool weather. Winter oats when drilled upon a well prepared seed bed on land with fair drainage is safe. The oats mature later than the rye, and usually can be depended upon to produce as large a yield oi straw and a.. much better yield oi grain. For hay the crop is much to be preferred to rye. Winter wheat is hardier than winter oats, especially where the ground is subject to freez ing and thawing. However, in view of the susceptibility of winter whea to rust, the oat crop is to be preferred especially where grain production is the main object. For best results winter wheat should be seeded ol land of fairly good fertility if a goot grain crop is desired. Winter barle! has not shown up in trials at the Ex pertinent Station. There is a chance that 1t may be recommended for win | ter pasturipg in south Arkansas, bu present information concerning th' crop is indefinite.
 Small Gralns Economical.
 Undoubtedly under present price winter small grains are more economl cal on large scale for winter cove crops than are the winter legumes fFor poor land undoubtedly crops lik winter rye and winter oats will pro duce a larger growth than the winte leguMes. A Attention should also pc cal!ed | thess tact that meadow crops .such' a orchaTd grass and red top can well b |.seeded in the, fall If moisture cQnd {ioHs arss satistactory. sd . M. nabofn, Kssistant Agronomist, fsSif ,a Fl \ IF 1c11l t11no EaIaktavl11l