Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-01-09
III. cLovERs.

s~-~ Ft--t % = III. @cLovERs.
 Earl Fitzpatrick, Extension Agrono- mist, University of Arkansas.
 A large variety of clovers can be grown in Arkansas. The acreage l should be increased many times. The l 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
 of, 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 clovers may be divided into three classes. Frist, 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 it is
 allowed to reseed itself. It makes it's
 best growth on clay loam soil. Good
 drainage and liberal supply of lime
 rate of seeding is 12 to IS pounds to the acre when seeded alone or to 8 pounds ypere acre in s mixture with
 grasses. Best results are usually SC. cured by seeding Tn 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.
 Alsfke clover Is adapted to soils df
 q wet nature. It will grow on soil that
 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 6 to.8 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 q mixture with Bemuda. or after oats and wheat Seeding should be done the latter part of February l6 6r March. The seed may be broad. casted on the Bermuda sod or on the wheat or oats and narrowed in. on wheat or oats seed at the rate of a bushel per acre. Four or five pounds per acre will serve as a start on Ber- muda.i 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. ling. They hold the soil from wash ling. Plant foods. that would be lost during the winter and spring are taken up and retained. They furnish . splendid pasture during the spring and sometimes during the winter. If pastured off or turned under they fur nish large supply of humus and nit. rogen to the soil Both of these clo- yefs should be seeded in the last of August or September. They may be Ibroad-casted in the cotton or corn middles and covered with Q 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. \ 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 Hay in the ground for several months before sprouting. 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. Mr.. A. ID. 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 germinatiop will be In, creased many times.
 The following Farmers Bulletins should be read. Bur Clover" Bulletin No. 69S. sweet Clover" Bulletin Mo-. 4s6. :Crimson Clover" No. $50 and 1897. Lespedeza or Japan clover. No. 441. These bulletins may be secured | by writing to the Extension Depart merit. Fayetteville, Ark. or to the De uartment of Agriculture. Washington.