The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-05-04

adoption of o system OF crop rotation
which will put the clovers for seed
production in rotation with small
grains and cultivated crops.
Varieties
Growers of clover seed in south
ern Idaho are limited by market de-
mands to comparatively few variet-
les. Red clover Is more comonly
grown in the United States than any
other variety. The past few years
however, have witnessed a great in
crease.
In buying red, alsike, or white
| clover seed to plant for seed pro-
duction only seed free from weed
seeds and mixtures Of other clovers
| should be selected. The best seed
the market affords should be secured
when planting for the production Of
a seed crop. The few cents per
pound additional which such seed
/ will cost will be more than made up
in the returns from the harvest Of
the crop.
Sowing the Seed
Various methods Of sowing clover
| seed are practiced in southern Idaho
due in part to variations of soil and
amounts of irrigation water avail
able. In the dry climate of southern
Idaho, b~roadcasting is to be dis
couraged on new soils or on soils
which bake readily. Drill planting
insures a more even and uniform
stand than b~roadcasting as the deuth
Of planting is closely regulated and
an even distribution Of seed is made.
Broadcasting is practiced most fire.
quently where irrigation water Is
plentiful. Drill planting is partic-
ularly desirable where flooding Is
practiced as the seed Is placed be-
meath the surface where moisture Is
available for a longer period. The
roots then are not subject to the
quick drying which takes place when
the seed is on top of the soil.
Glover seed should not be covered
to a greater depth than n inch.
Plenty of seed should be sown. The
cost of an extra pound or two OF
seed is a small matter In comparison
with the advantage to be gained by
securing a thick, even stand.
The whirling spray seeder, wheel
barrow broadcast seeder and the
grain drill adapted to plant small
seed, are machines used In broad
casting clover seed. The drill can
be made to broadcast seed as we'll as
to drill seed, If desired. The wheel
barrow seeder and drill are pre-
ferred because of their greater prac-
ticability in windy weather. Broad
cast seeding requires from one
fourth to one-third more seed than
drilling. Frequent irrigation Is par.
ticularly necessary on soils on which
seed has been broadcasted until the
plants have reached a height Of two
or three inches. After the plants
have made that growth the fire.
quency Of irrigation may be lessened
Over the greater portion Of south.
ern Idaho, clover seed should not be
planted in the fall because of danger
4 from winter-killing. Some times In
years of heavy snowfall and mild
temperatures a fall-plantng of clover
seed will survive. at the lower eleva'
lions.
If a nurse crop is to be used the
clover should be sown Immediately
following the planting of the nurse
crop. If the clover is to be grown
without a nurse crop, planting may
be done any time during the spring
and summer. Early spring planting,
however, is advisable because Of the
value of spring and early summer
rains. In the earlier part Of the sum-
mer the soil does not bake or dry out
SO quickly and the small clover
plants have a better chance to make
good. Elevation largely determines
time of early spring planting. In
the Boise valley as a rule paintings
can be made by the first of April or
even earlier. In the upper Snake
river valley above St. Anthony plant.
ing is seldom done before the first
Of May; it is usually done later,
Early spring planting is particularly
advisable at the higher elevations
because of the shortness of the grow.
ing season.
The rate of seeding should vary
with the kind and character of soil.
Old land in good filth will not re-
quire as much seed as land newly
broken from sagebrush, to insure
satisfactory stands. Red clover
should be sown at the rate of from
eight to twelve pounds per acre
alsike at the rate of from six to
nine pounds and white clover at the
rate of from five to eight pounds per
acre.
-t--
Water Users Meeting