The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1919-08-15
FARM DEPARTMENT
BY q. c. BAKER, County Agent.
CRIMSON CLOVER.

Crimson clover was first grown in
FRANKLIN county, Tenn, in 1880. 1t is
estimated that in 1914 there were 100
acres, in 1915 400 acres, in 1915 1000
acres, in 1917, the average fell Off due |
to late seeding and winter injury. In
1918 the farmers of this county har-
vested $500 to 5000 acres. These fig |
ures give this county first place as a
crimson clover center.
Crimson clover should be grown for
three important reasons: Winter graz
ing-For hogs, sheep cows, and calves
1t is the best OF all winter pastures
Soil Builder-Crimson clover turned
under is worth 20 loads Of barnyard
manure, it adds so pounds of nitrogen
to the acre. Money Crop-The aver
age yield in Franklin county has been
seven bushels to the acre, and should
net this year over 100000.
How to Succeed with Crimson Glover.
| Prepare the land in July, prefer grain
stubble. Subsoil and disc often until
ready to seed. A good time to seed is
| Just late enough that the weeds will
not take it before frost. Seed bed
must be firm and we'll settled Seed
very shallow, when there is plenty OF
moisture. Use a clover seeder, wheat
drill with rubber attachment. or broad
cast and then use a light harrow.
Avoid leaving burrows and ridges. In
dry weather it is advisable to roll with
corrugated roller, rarely advisable to
use a smooth roller.
Early seeding is best If moisture is
plentiful Take advantage of the first
reasonable rain in August and sow Il
to is pounds of seed per acre, increas
ling the amount on poor spots and OF
borders of fields to offset damage by
grasshoppers Crimson clover need:
phospha. in abundance: it will pay t.
luse $50 to 200 pounds acid phosphate
in the increased yield Of seed ant
nitrogen in the soil Lime and stabl,
manure are good All these fertilizer
should be disked in before seeding.
Time 70 Cut Crimson.
Crimson clover should be cut whei
the heads slip easily, with Just a littl'
effort. If the farmer waits day o
two days longer than this the crimson
lover will get so ripe that he will lost
, one fourth to one-half of his crop, am
, II 1t is cut very much earlier than this
while some Of the heads are yet par
TALLY green, it will be difficult to keel
! the seed while 1t is going through tn
I sweat, and even after 1t is hulled t
keep the seed when it is sacked; thei
a large number of the seed will b.
small and green when they should b.
] large and yellow. This depreciates tn
I value of the seed about one or wv
y dollars per bushel. When all the leave
are yellow, with few at the bottom
! that are brown, is pretty good indica
ton that it is time to cut the crimson
!, BY this time you will generally fin'
that the heads are brown also.
Saving Of the Seed.
! After reaping it can generally b
taken up the following day II the SUI
!, is hot and the seed are very ripe whei
!. cut, in this event. il there is no rair
you viii get the very best seed. i
q case you have rain It is never advis
y able to rake It as you would hay o
! red clover, but it should be turned owe
/ easily with the handle OF your pitc
0 fork il this is necessary in order 7
B. have 1t dry.
II The seed are very, very easily huiie
l. tout and should be handled with a grea
I deal OF care You should have q tlgh
!. wagon bed to haul them in, or els
4 your wagon bed should be covered wit