Pocahontas star herald., 1915-09-17
MAKING CHOICE OF
FALLSEEDEDCROPS
Lesumes, Crimson Glover, Spotted
Burr Glover and Hairy Vsteh Are
Better Soil lmprovers Than the
Small Grains.


crops. Such a practice Is essential
from the standpoint OF soil improve,
mont as well as Increased farm prof.
its, Fall seeded crops come In two
classes, namely, winter legumes and
winter small grains Each class bears
an important relation 10 any system
OF successful farming that may be
p1cuced.
The fall seeded legumes. such as
crimson clover. spotted burr clover
and hairy yetoh 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 II in the plant tissues.
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 DC,
tober In southern districts. Such a
seeding win depend largely on the
amount OF soil mixture present. the
earlier seedlings are. however. prefer
able In order 10 secure increased hard
mess during winter and this. In turn.
results in greater yields In the spring
crops
Crimson clover is especially desira-
BILE where a quick growing annual le-
gume is desired to follow corn or cot.
ton In a rotation. The crop, II used
for hay. will be ready TO cut In late
April and can then be followed with
other crops. such as corn. oowpeas
and sorghum. Crimson clover seed
can be purchased comparatively cheap
upon the market Seeding the crop
between rows OF corn or after cow
peas is frequently practiced. Crimson
clover makes a very desirable winter
cover crop. especially when II Is plant
ed upon properly prepared ground.
Care should be taken not to cover the
seed too deep.
A Good Combination.
Burr clover is reseeding in habit
and consequently is especially adapt
ed 10 land which Is TO remain in pas
ture OF 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 Il
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
incubation in some other way. When
the crop is seeded for the first time
in the burr inoculation is said to he
quite certain.
european - oNalNNs
Winter vetch 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 termination. 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 10 produce as large. a yield Of
straw and a much better yield Of
grain. For hay the crop is much to be
preferred to rye. Winter wheat is
| harder than winter oats, especially
where the ground is subject to freez-
ing and thawing However, in view
OF the susceptibility OF winter wheat
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 on
land Of fairly good fertility II a good
grain crop is desired. Winter barley
has not shown up in trials at the Ex-
| pertinent station. There is a chance
that It may be recommended for win
ter pasturing in south Arkansas, but
present information concerning the
crop is indefinite.
Small Grains Economical
Undoubtedly under present prices
winter small grains are more economi-
cal on a large scale for winter cover
crops than are the winter legumes.
For poor land undoubtedly crops like