Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1921-01-04
GLOVER CAN Be SOWN
WHEN WORK IS SLACK
Many Farmers Sow as Early as
February, While Snow Is on the
Ground.

Red clover mas been styled the
cornerstone of agriculture in the
North Central and Eeastern States.
Many farmers will begin laying
the cornerstone as early as February,
when it is customary in many sec
tons Of the red clover on the sur
face Of the snow, so that it will sink
into the soil with the first thaw in
the spring. Red clover is hardy, and
is not injured by ordinary cold; and
the fact that it can be sown at sea-
son when work on the farm is COM
paratively light adds to the economy
of it's cultivation.
The first important point to be 90.
say specialists of the United States
Department of AgricultureA Consid-
cradle care should be used in this re-
spect we'll in advance of the time of
seeding. This is particularly true al
present, when a large proportion Of
the red clover seed used in the
United States comes from abroad. If
poor seed is used the expected crop
may be partial or total failure.
Good Seed Is Plump.
Good red clover seed Is plump or
we'll filed, bright with a slight lus-
ter, the color Of individual seeds
ranging from violet to light yellow.
The individual seeds should be at
least medium sized and fairly uni
form, free of adulterants Of any kind
and from seeds Of noxious weeds.
Homegrown seed is desirable,
especially in the north, because 1t is
almost certain to be adapted to local
conditions. II it is not available,
samples should be obtained from re.
liable deolers. These should be ex-
amined for adulterants, weed seeds,
and shriveled seeds. They should also
be tested for termination before pur-
chasing in quantity.
In the absence Of more accurate
methods an estimate should be made
Of the proportion of true red clover
seed and of weed seeds and other I'M
purities. From the red clover seed
separated from all impurities. a
counted number as 100. should he
taken Just as they come. These seeds
should be placed between layers of
moistened cloth or paper or merely
covered in a bed of sand or light soil.
A dinner plate, covered with another,
is a suitable terminating receptacle.
1t can be kept in the living room, at
a temperature between 05 and IS de-
grees. Between the third and sixth
days the sprouting ability Of the seeds
should be shown. j
d. 1t should be borne in mind that
the sowing value of the seed is rep
resented by the amount of true clover
which will terminate with reason
able promptness. Thus, if four
fifths Of sample is pure clover, and
only three-fourths will sprout, then
only three-fifths, or 60 per cent, Of
the original seed as offered will grow.
Thus, the terminating test has an
important bearing on the worth of
seed offered to the farmer.
Protects American Farmer.
A seed-testing service is main
tanned by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture. where 1858
samples of various seeds were exam
ined and tested in the last fiscal year
-16,442 in Washington and 1876
in the FIVE branch seed-testing sta
lions. Similar service is offered by
the various state experiment stations.
The department also exercises n
strict inspection service over field
seeds brought from foreign countries.
and last year 100000 pounds Of
various seeds were rejected or Held
for cleaning before being allowed TO
be offered to American farmers.
Nevertheless, the closest scrutiny
is necessary on the part of the farm
er who desires good stand of clover,
either as forage crop or to turn
under for the Improvement of his soil.
1t is important that the testing of
seed be done early enough that a suf-
ficient supply of pure seed can be pur-
chased in time for use: and if seed
is to be sent to one Of the govern
ment or state testing laboratories, OF
least two weeks should be allowed.