The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-13
BUR CLOVER--A TRICKY PLANT

acleS, yet we must admit things do oc- cur which, through our limited knowledge of her laws, appear to be nothing short of miracles. You would be right in say ing this piece of land would not have s.,routed cowpeas under the same condi- tion that the clover germinated. The nature and habits of each respective plant must be considered and each treat ed as an individual. You have gotten results in this instance through having blindly followed conditions essential for it's germination, while if you had placed the seed under an environment adapted to the nature of the cowpea you would have defeated your- purpose through hav ing unconsciously worked against na- ture's process in dealing with this partic- ular plant. Your science and mind are not unlike. In dealing with organisms we find we cannot mould them to suit our arbitrary wills as we could piece of clay. We can only watch nature and work in line with her''
 To the casual observer the demonstra- ton before us would, no doubt, lead to the conclusion that the best results are obtained from broadcasting bur clover seed on land that had not been broken. He would probably try a patch this fall, dealing with it in this way, and possibly not seed would germinate, and he, too, would be ready to decide that bur clover was tricky plant, but the care full student of nature and her laws, re- flecting upon the event before him, would infer that mother nature is here indicating her way of dealing with this individual child. He approaches her with reverence to learn the lesson she would teach. He has already decided that this seed gerlninates near the surface. Upon closer inspection he finds that the soil washing down the hillside and mixing with the leaves which had blown from the trees on the brow of the hill and decaying, has furnished humus, if not sufficient for a thrifty plant, at least sufficient to produce germination. He now considers the weather conditions this fall--a wet season. Given the same condition of soil, he questions, with the weather conditions reversed, if there would have been germination Another important discovery-that which from a distance appeared to be a complete stand, upon closer approach was found to be decidedly scattered. As there seemed to be uniform quality of soil, re decided this could be done to no other cause than an effort to cover too much area, with amount of seed used
 Upon his return home he gets out his agricultural literature. Finding bur clover, he turns to essential conditions for germination and reads: Do not cover deeply, as seed germinates near the sur face; there must be present sufficient humus to insure multiplying of bacteria. If seed are sown in wet weather, covering not necessary; if during dry, hot spell, cover lightly to protect bacteria from the scorching rays of the sun, natures germ icide." He then turns to Preparation of Seed Bed: Flow Deep''-he reflects; then blow across, thoroughly breaking up the land. Follow immediately with disc harrow, and keep going until clods are thoroughly pulverized. These seed are very small, and if one gets caught under clod an inch square fits life is doomed?' No, indeed, not this pluclxy lit- tie fellow; he just lies there a whole year, or five years if need be, calmly awaiting his turn When this comes, if 1t happens to be toward the surface. he begins to wake up, and stretching himself out he presses his little feet down into the earth to steady himself, and pushing his head up into the beautiful world above, smiles and beckons to the one who would have ruthles1y consigned him to oblivion" 'sBut we are digress- ing" Let us return to our student in his investigation of the seed bed
 'sIf humus is needed, supply now. Nothing better than stable manure at the tune or preparing the soil Begin now with tooth harrow and continue un- til soil is reduced to smallest particles possible. This bed is now in ideal con- dition." 'What!'' he ref1ects-"this soft deep bed for seed which germinates near the surface" Continuing to read: Out must be prepared several weeks in advance of sowing, in order that the bed may become well set; otherwise, should heavy rains follow, the seed would probably be sent stoo deep into the ground for germination.''
 His mind now reyerts to the patch on the hillside; he compares 1t with his scientifically prepared bed, and his heart goes out in sympathy to the little work CTS there in their struggle against ad- versity for life expression. He visits again. in his imagination, the fields of ''bumble bee cotton;' the broad stretches of corn land, whose maximum produc-