The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1921-03-03
SWEET CLOVER
BUILDS UP SOIL
MAKES FINE PASTURE ON
RAW LOGGED OFF LAND
AND DRY HILLSIDES
State College Expert Declares
This Legume Will Build Up
Soil Where Other Crops Fail
BY Leonard Hesnauer.

BY Leonard Hesnauer.
Specialist in Soils and Crops. State
College OF shington-Extension
SerTice.)
Sweet clover has proved its many
excellent and desirable qualities and
shown its wonderful possibilities
Chemical analysis shows that is is
rich in protein, which makes it a
valuable adjunct in any ordinary ra-
ton. 1t also has the ability to make
its way under adverse conditions and
leave the soil better for having grown
there. On certain soil types and under
certain conditions it is the only plant
that can be relied upon to help the
soil both physically and chemically.
1t is along these lines where its great
strength lies; tho it has been shown
over and over again that it can be
used both as hay and pasture to good
advantage. 1t has then possibilities
for further development and its spread
of influence should be greatly widen
ed
Fills Important Place
1t must be understood that it is not
the intention of this article to at
tempt to show that sweet clover is
to take the place of other legumes; but
rather to show that it can take place
which no other legume can success
fully fill. The legumes (such as the
clovers, alfalfa, vetch, peas, etc) are
absolutely for soil improvement and
soil building purposes. Without the
aid of the legumes crops the main
tainance of soil fertility would in the
main be a hopeless task. 1t is there
fore no mean place which this plant
attempts to fill.
Good For Dry Hills
In Western Washington, there are
countless acres of more or less par
TALLY cleared hill lands that are now
growing up to weeds and shrubs which
might as well be seeded to sweet clover
and thus return some revenue as
pasture These lands are of clay
type-more or less devoid of humus-
and therefore not in good physical
condition. Even if the land were
cleared, the returns from ordinary
crops would be small until such time
as more humus forming materials
could be added. 1t is ON these hill
sides and slopes, where the soil be-
comes hard and where there is much |
drying out in the summer months, |
that sweet clover would be OF ma
terial benefit in retaining land.
Some of these places should doubt |
less remain in sweet clover permanent |
ly, as they are unsuited to the or
binary cultivated crops. Other por-
tons could be thoroly cleared later,
and the growing of sweet clover on
them during these earlier years |
would be of immense value to the |
soil, and would bring larger returns
when put under cultivation. The value
to the soil would be twofOld:
First, there would be an accumula- |
ton of organic matter from the roots |
and tops Of these plants which when |
n
make it much more friable and pO-
rous and would thus help. thru pro-
cesses of decay, to liberate more OF
the mineral plant food. Second, there |
would be an addition of nitrogen, due
to the work of the nitrofying bac-
terra which inhabit the sweet clover |
roots, which would add greatly to the
fertility of these lands. These soils |
usually are very weak in humus and |
nitrogen, and an addition of the resi- |
dues from sweet clover would put |
them into a much better balanced |
plant food conditions.
Sow Early
In the matter Of the preparation |
of seed bed sweet clover is an ex-
ception to the rule. Most crops, to |
be at their best, must have a mellow,
well-prepared seed bed. Sweet clover
on the contrary requires firm seed
bed-practically without preparation.
A deep, well pulverized seed bed would
not give the best results with sweet
clover. The seed should be sown in
winter or early spring-preferably
when the frost is going out and the
ground is honeycombed by the ac-
tion of the elements. If sown then,
sufficient covering will be provided
to insure termination. If seed is
sown later. when the ground is in
fit condition, narrowing would be ad-
visable, provided the ground permits
of narrowing. In no case is 1t nee
essary or advisable to pillow the ground
and prepare 1t as in the case of other
crops. A firm seed bed is what the
plant most desires