The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-09-08
CRIMSON CLOVER

A>ANA>S<ANs SAsVVGN
The average ton growth Of crimson
clover on our average soils will take
from the air and add to every acre
forty-five pounds of nitrogen which
will cost eight or ten dollars in ccm-
mercial fertilizer, according to N. E.
Winters, extension specialist in soil
fertility, who advises that wherever
crimson clover is adapted in this state
it is one of our best cover crops for
blowing under for spring crop. The
little bacteria which live at the roots
Of the crimson clover stalk, work all
winter, day and night, while we are
asleep and while we are awake, and
take from the God-given air the nj
trogen which is costing us 80 much
annually in commercial form.
A great many failures are made
with crimson clover by planting too
early. 1t should not be planted be-
! fore September 15 in this state. From
September to October 15, with good
season in the ground, crimson clovor
may be sown broadcast in corn and
cotton, peo stubble or any field that
would otherwise be left bare all win
ter.
If the soil is innoculated. it is not
necessary to even harrow the cri,n-
son clover to cover the seed, pro-
vided good earth mulch is formed
previous to planting. If the field
has not recently grown ericsson
clover or another legumn using the
same inoculation, it will be ncces-
sary to inoculate the seed ai,d in
that case it is best to cover them
lightly to prevent the sun from kill
ing the inoculation.
If the soil does not already con-
tain the specific bacteria which live
on the roots of the crimson clover,
incubation is absolutely necessary
for success. The only way to de-
termine this is by trying it, but If
in doubt be sure to inoculate as
follows: Homegrown seed with the
husk may be simply rolled in moist
dirt taken from the top six inches
of an inocu!ated field--one that has
been growing crimson clover, or red
clover, or white dutch clover. With
clean thrashed seed, it is best to n,ois-
ten the seed with little water to
| which enough molasses has been ad-
ded to make it just little sticky, and
| hen stir into the seed some innoculat-
ed dust which has been previously
dried and pulverzed in the shade.
Failures are sometimes made with
crimson clover on very poor hard
| clay or deep sand. On these poorest
| soils 1T is safer to use rye and ve,ch
| as winter cover crops. Crimson
clover is better adapted to a soil hav-
ing a lo2m or sandy loan surface,
| although the poorest soils with
proper management can be put into
condition TO grow successfully GRIM
son clover. More failures with the
crimson clover are caused By sowing
too early with poor season in which
the clover comes up and is then killed
by week or two of hot sunshine.
Successful crimson clover growers
use twelve to thirty pounds of seed
per acre. II is well to Mse not less
than. twenty pounds wherc the crop
has not been grown before
Crimson clover responds to lime
about the same as cowpeas and hliry
vetch. On poor soils low In organic
matter, the response IS not nearly 50
great as it is on soils containing a
large amount of organic matter. Re-
suits from lime vary grea .ly, de-
pending on the soil type and the
methods of handling the soil.--Clem-
son Collepe