The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-03-24

as possible and that the best depth
in average soils is between one-half
inch and one inch; that drilling saves
seed and gives better results than
broadcasting; that seed sown early
and left lying on the surface is liable
to be killed by the frost; and that ear
ly fall seeding can be successfully
practiced in many places.
Nurse Crops.
Clover is commonly seeded with
small grain, which is called the nurse
crop. This nurse crop serves two
functions-it keeps the weeds down
and it produces a money crop while
the clover is making its first years
growth. Whether it is wise to use a
nurse crop depends on so many things
that it can not be discussed within
the limits of brief article. 1t has
been abundantly shown, however, that
if weeds are kept down by clipping,
the clover will make better growth
when sown alone than when with a
nurse crop. In diy seasons the nurse
crop is pretty certain to cause the
death of the. clover by taking all the
moisture and then leaving the young
plants exposed to the heat of July
or August SUN when in a weakened
condition by reason of the lack OF
moisture. If nurse crop is used,
care should be taken not to seed it
too thickly, since the thicker the grain
crop the more certain it is to smother
the clover or to take all the moisture
and leave the soil dry at harvest time.
Of the small grains, rye shades the
ground the least and oats the most,
and these crops represent both ex-
tremes of desirableness so far as red
clover is concerned.
Maintaining the Stand.
The consideration of the nurse crop
brings us from getting catch to
maintaining a stand. The most fire.
quent causes of the death of young
clover are the drought and heat to
which the plants are subjected upon
the removal of the grain crop. The
amount of injury caused will, of course
depend on the season. The summer
of 1915 was very favorable to young
clover, as there was plenty Of rain
throughout most of the clover belt,
but such seasons are exceptional. In
jury will also b.. worse on soils de-
ficient in humus. since these run to-
gether and dry out more than soils
having plenty of organic matter. Top
dressing the fields with manure dur
ing the late winter is as good a pre-
tentative of this danger as can be
suggested. The manure will not only
prevent loss of moisture, but will fur
nish plant food for the young clover,
making stronger plants, better able to
withstand drought 1t is also advis-
able to leave the grain stubble as long
as possible, SO as to afford shelter to
the young plants.
II there is good stand of clover on
a field in September and October.
there is every reason to expect a good
stand in spring. barring, of course,
most unusual weather conditions. If,
however, the sol is deficient in lime.
the plant, though appearing fair in the
tall, may lack the vigor to go through
even a reasonably mild winter. Two
mistakes are often made, and these
should be guarded against. The Young
clover should not be pastured CLOSELY
in the fall, nor should it be allowed
to seed. Last fall. owing to the favor
Die summer, young clover was found
blossoming and seeding in many fields. |
This is bad because it weakens the
plants and increases the number of
clover seed insects, the late broods
hnding these flower heads a fine place
in which to lay eggs, which hatch into
larvae, many of which may live over
the next winter.
Provided there is lime and phos- |
phorus enought in the land, second
year clover should give little trouble |
unless attacked by root borers or
other insects. There are leaf-eating
insects that do damage locally, and
some fungi have been known to xiii
whole fields or to reduce yields. but
me insects working on the roots prob
ably give more trouble than other in
'ects or than diseases. When a field
becomes infested with root-eatine in
'ects there is nothing to do but blow
t up. (See Farmers Bulletin No. ASH
ihe fact that insects and diseases II
Ill kinds increase in a clover field ;s
one OF the best reasons why such
leid should not be kept longer than
wo years.