The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-12-29
WILD SWEET CLOVER
A WONDERFUL PLANT

dld virtues, 1t should be known tC
every farmer, big or little, through.
out our agricultural districts.
For ages sweet clover was regard
ed IS a weed, and by many, as a
nuisance. 1t is only a few years
since farmers learned that it is not
a noxious weed, but a most valuable
plant when properly utilized.
Wild sweet clover will flourish n
any soil or climate and is among our
most drought-resisting plants. 1t
grows abundantly in fence corners,
along roadsides and in vacant fields.
While the plant is a biennial it
fourishes year after year by re-seed-
ing itself if not mown or pastured
so closely that the seed is prevented
There are three prominent vari-
cites of sweet clover, viz: the white
(melilotus alba), also called honey
lotus or bee clover; the yellow incl
lotus officinalis), and the melilotus
indica, this being a small white an
nual. The white variety is the most
prevalent and the most popular with
those who have had experience with
the plant.
A First Class Soil Builder
In enumerating the virtues of wild
sweet clover, | want to emphasize its
great value as a soil builder. 1t is
a legume. Large nodules form on
the roots if it is properly inoculated
when planted. Bacteria within those
nodules have that mysterious power
to gather nitrogen from the air and
fix it in the soil. Every part of the
plant, root, stems and leaves are rich
in nitrogen, that indispensable plant
food element. Hence if the plant is
plowed under it furnishes nitrogen
in very material quantities, and the
substance of the plant decays, form
ing an ideal humus.
If wild sweet clover seed is inocu-
lated, the seed bed properly made,
and the soil is not sour, the growth
will be very rapid and enormous. |
have seen a growth six or seven feet
high and very dense on poor land.
With n good crop of sweet clover
l have changed a sandy soil, which
was hardly worth c~ultivating, into a
new soil as productive as a rich loan.
1t will give wornout clay a new pep
that nothing else will, and make a
gravely soil worth while. In short
wild sweet clover if the cheapest and
effective soil-builder within
reach of the ordinary farmer.
Sweet clover roots grow deep, i'm
proving the condition of the subsoil, I.
especially if a hard pan exists. One =,
good crop turned under will reflect
n succeeding crops of grain and
,orn for several years. !
Excellent for Pasture and Hay !.
Wild sweet clover makes a most +.
excellent pasture for cattle, hogs, :
iheep and horses. 1t is not as likely :
o cause bloating as alfalfa and has :.
feeding value equal to alfalfa. I'm
il it is about a foot high it resembles n
so closely that it is difficult
O distinguish them apart. Owing to !,
slightly bitter taste, stock do not :
elish sweet clover the first few days 7
S they do alfalfa or red clover, but ,
n a very short time it is thoroughly .
ppreciated. If the seed is sown in
he spring for pasture, it is a good
Ian to mix oats or barley with it. d
f sown in the fall it is not advisable c
0 use a nurse crop. y
If the crop is intended for pasture +
animals should be turned in II
lille the plants are tender. By :
aving two or three small lots, the
-ock can be rotated from one to the a
Their, maintaining a good pasture :
uring the entire summer season., .
Sweet clover makes a hay equal to ''
Italia in every way if it is cut at :
he right time and properly cured. q
should be cut when from eighteen =
!, twenty inches high. If permitted Il,
grow rank it becomes too woody 81
, be relished. After cutting it III
lould remain in the swath until ~
loroughly wilted but not dry. 1t le
lould not be placed in the NOW or ai
ack until it is thoroughly cured. &C
hen | first fed sweet clover hay "
the animals they were not inclined III
eat it, but in a few days they pre- Va
FRED it to the other hay, and the
from the dairy lows were very vi
tisfactory &c
Two or Three Cuttings a Year III
This indicates that there is very W.
tie difference in the feeding value ai
the three leading legures. A al
cd stand of sweet clover will make ou
greater YIELD Of hay than either WI
d clover o. alfaifa. Sweet clover
n be cut twice, and often three
mes, during a season, depending ca
ION the rainfall. stl
In cutting wild sweet clover the tic
lbble should be at least three in pc
es high to insure a quick second mi
op. If cut too closely second crop WI
DOTS will be destroyed. we
If the seed is sown in the fall, two an
at least can be harvested the trI