The Pulaskian., 1915-12-24
LII. cLovERs.
Earl Fitzpatrick, Extension Agrono
 mist, University of Arkansas.


 mist, University of Arkansas.
 A large variety of clovers can be grown in Arkansas. The acreage should be increased many times. The clovers belong to that class of plants known as soil builders. They have the power of using the free nitrogen from the air. This ability is due to the action of certain bacteria which form nodules on the clover roots. If these crops are grown and pastured off, turned under, or fed to livestock and the manure returned nitrogen will be added to the soil. When any of the clovers except Japan clovers are sown on land where they have never been before the soil should be inocu- lated with the soil method or by the pure culture method.
 The covers may be divided into three classes. First, those which live for two or more years as Red, Alsike, White or white blossomed sweet clo- yer. Second summer annuals or those which are seeded in the spring and mature and die in the fall as Japan clover Third, winter annuals or those which are sown in the summer or fall and mature and die the fol. lowing summer as Bur and crimson clover. Each group has it's place in the cropping system.
 Red Clover lasts for only two years under ordinary conditions unless 1t Is <1 olx<.t fr4 best growth on a clay loam soil. Good drainage and a liberal supply of lime in the soil is essential. The usual rate of seeding is 12 to 15 pounds to the acre when seeded alone or 6 to pounds pere acre in mixture with grasses. Best results are usually se, cured by seeding in September, spring seeding may be done, but then there is danger of damage to the young plants by the weeds or dry weather during the summer
 Alsike clover is adapted to soils of Is deficient in lime better than any of the other clovers. It is often seeded in permanent pastures or meadows along with grasses on soils that are poorly drained. The usual rate of seeding IS to pounds per acre.
 Japan clover or Lespedeza- is a nat ural growth especially in the south and eastern part of Arkansas. It does well in a mixture with Bemuda, or after oats and wheat. Seeding should be done the latter part of February or March. The seed may be broad. casted on the Bermuda sod or on tho wheat or oats and narrowed in. on, wheat or oats seed at the rate of al bushel per acre. Four or five pounds per acre will serve as a start on Ber- muda. It will reseed itself each year if given a chance.
 Crimson and Bur Clover should be grown more than they are. They grow when other crops are not grow ing. They hold the soil from wash ing Plant foods that would be lost during the winter and spring arc taken up and retained. They furnish splendid pasture during the spring and sometimes during the winter. lr pastured off or turned under they fur nish a large supply of humus and nit rogen to the soil. Both of these clo- vers should be seeded in the last 3f August or September. They may be broad-casted in the cotton or corn middles and covered with a harrow The rate of seeding Is 15 pounds of crimson clover and two or three bush els of bur clover in the bur per acre. A bushel of bur clover in the bur weighs ten pounds.
 Bur clover is particularly adapted for growing with Bermuda. It fur nishes pasture during the winter and spring when the Bermuda Is not green. Part of the bur clover seed have a hard coat so that they may lay in the ground for several months before sproutlng. Because of this fact the crops will reseed itself from year to year when once started if some of It is allowed to seed each spring If sown late bur clover seed often germinate poorly. MT. A. D. McNair has found that if the seed are soaked in cold water, put in boiling water for just one minute, put back in the cold water, and sown. the per centage of germinatlon will be in. creased many times.
 The following Farmers Bulletins should be read, Bur Clover" Bulletin No. 693, Sweet Clover Bulletin No. 4S5. Crimson Glover" No. $50 and 597. Lespedeza or Japan clover. No. Al. These bulletins may be secured by writing to the Extension Depart- ment. Fayetteville, Ark, or to the De. rartment of Agriculture. Washington. D. c.