Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-08-06
The Virtues of Crimson Glover

The Virtues of Crimson Glover
In the days when cotton was king
very little attention or considera ton
was given to the growth of many
crops which are admirably suited to
our climatic conditions and which
have distinct economic value.
Among these may be mentioned
crimson clover, a crop which is now
quite extensively cultivated through
a considerable number of states.
It has not been as extensively used
n Georgia, however, as it should
have been. This may be partly due
to a lack of appreciation of its
merits.
To begin with, it is an annual. 1t
resembles red clover in many re-
spects in regard to both size and
appearance The f1owerheads, how
ever, are different. They are long and
narrow and pointed and they are a
brilliant scarlet in color. 1t is one of
the most beautiful crops when in
tloom that is grown in this country.
It's desirable characteristic lies i'll
the fact that it may be seeded in
the fall after another crop has been
harvested and will mature sufficient
ly early in the spring to be used
to some advantage for pasture, or,
better still, for hay. 1t can be har-
vested and moved from the land in
crop. One of the things which JUST
fes the recommendation for its more
extensive cultivation lies in the fact
that it can be grown in an off-season
of the year, as 1t were, and at the
rame time prt.Vide a excellent cover
crop. If cut just when coming into
bloom it produces a very excellent
hay. 1t belongs to the family OF
iegumes and, therefore, is a substan-
tlal imprOyer of the soil.
This clover is a native of Europe.
It is extensively cultivated not only
in France, Spain, Germany and Italy,
but in Austria and Great Britain
as well. Our chief supplies of seed
come from Europe. 1t has been
known in this country since 1917. IT
was first introduced as an ornament,
but in recent years its merits have
become generally recognized.
This clover is now chiefly culti-
waited on the lighter sandy areas of
the Atlantic coast plain. 1t seems
to be we'll adapted for growth on
soils that are not specially rich anf
where the winters are mild. 1t Is not
we'll adapted to standing extremes
of heat or cold. It does not survive
in the north: hence it would appear
that its cultivation would be chiefly
confined to the areas indicated.
There are several varieties of
crimson clover. They vary in color
Of flower and time of maturity. These
varieties vary in color from an early
crimson flower to an extra late white
flower. and from hardy to non-hardy
strains. One desiring to raise this
clover in succession to use either tor
soiling or hay-making purposes
should seed the early crimson strain
alongside of some of the white now
cred strains, which mature about
two weeks later.
Crimson clover may be planted
in various ways In some sections
Il may be sown in corn at the lass
cultivation. We do not regard THIS
as a desirable practice except IN
the northern part of the state OF
Georgia. Our corn natures often 100
early in the season to make this
plan of seeding desirable. and we
often have a dry spell during Az
gust and September which initiates
against the attainment of a salts
factory stand Crimson clover can
onlv be seeded in corn or cotton
fields at best which have been kept
clean by late cultivation and are
FREE from weeds and trash.
This croD does not succeed when
sown in combination with dense
growing crops like peas or sorghum
which shade the land to an apprecl-
able extent Our best success IN
planning ana HdUulIllS IllFn Ni'P
come from breaking the land shall
low. say in late August or early Sep
TEMPER, letting it lie as fallow for
several weeks. and then planting
crimson clover about the 18th of
October to the 1st of September, In
south Georgia, seeding may be done
as late as the middle of November
to the first of December with salts
faction. The idea should be to SOW
this clover so as to give. it about
eight or ten weeks in which to de-
velop before relative hard frostS
occur. Sometimes 1t can be planted
after sweet potatoes or second-crop
irish potatoes with advantage. It
does best on soils which contain
considerable residue of fertilizers
and which are in good physical con-
dition.
In purchasing crimson clover seed
be sure to obtain fresh and Vlable
strains. Failure to obtain a stand
may sometimes be due to poor seed.
Seeding when the ground IS exceed
ingly hot or dry will almost certain
" result in failure.
While this crop does well on clay
lands or sandy loamy soils, it is prob
ably better adapted for growth on
relatively sandy areas than any
af will give