The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-05-16

Field of Ladino Glover.
on long stalks arising from creeping
PROSTATE stems With the exception
of the seeds all parts of the plant are
| identical with those of common white
clover except that they are much
larger
| Adapted to Rich Soils.
Ladino clover is especially adapted
as pasture crop for rich, well watered
soils In regions of moderate tempera-
ture. 1t does not ordinarily succeed
on poor soils and 1t Is particularly
sensitive to lack of abundant and con-
tinuous moisture quite near the surface
of the ground, consequently 1t should
not be sown in localities where severe
surface droughts are to be expected.
1t withstands extreme cold except on
heavy clay soils not protected by
snow cover, in which case the plants
are likely to heave badly in late win
ter. 1t was formerly believed that
Ladino clover did not suffer from hot
weather provided it was well supplied
with water. Recent experience indi-
Gates. however, that the plants turn
red under prolonged exposure TO hot
sunlight and the stand is weakened.
In the regions where It succeeds best
Ladino clover is one of the most pro-
ductive and nutritious pasture plants
known and is unquestionably one of the
most palatable to live stock. Repeated
Instances have been reported where
field of Ladino clover has carried the
equivalent of from two TO four head
Of mature stock per acre continuously
from spring until fall. During this
period the production of milk, meat or
other animal products per acre has
been greater than that from any other
permanent grazing plant. The fond
aess of all kinds of live stock for La
dino clover has been Illustrated many
times by the animals leaving good fields
of alfalfa, red clover or the grasses to
feed on the Ladlno. The palatability
Of Ladino, in fact, is sometimes disas-
trous since rabbits, gophers, grasshop-
pers and other pests sometimes feed
on it so voraciously as to destroy It,
Even live stock, and especially horses
and sheep, sometimes destroy the
stand by too close nibbling of the pros
trate stems. There is belief that La
dino clover does not cause bloating of
cattle as badly as other leguminous
pastures, but this Is uncertain. So far
as known, Ladino clover Is not sub
ject to serious injury by diseases and
insects, except grasshoppers and other
leaf-eaters.
Peculiar characteristics.
While the peculiar characteristics of
Ladlno clover are not yet thoroughly
understood, there are evidently certain
sections in which 1t is excellently
adapted, while for other localities it
cannot as yet be advised. The most !
conspicuous success with LadinO has |
been had in the irrigated regions of |
southern Idaho and in the coastal re- |
gions of Oregon and Washington. In |
warranted in advising It's trial by all |
farmers interested in permanent pas |
lures. The plant Is also promising for |
irrigated districts in Colorado, Utah, |
northern California and eastern Ore |
gon and Washington. It does not thrive |
In irrigated regions in the Southwest
Without irrigation Ladino has been a
success in northern Michigan, on over
flow land along the lower Missouri
river, on the lower Mississippi and its
tributaries and in scattered places
the central United States
Ladlno clover has been under more
Or less continuous test by the Depart
men of Agriculture for nearly twenty
years. It's progress has been retarded,
however, by the fact that until recent
~ II has been a very poor producer Of
seed Within the past five years 1t has
been found that the plant produces
seed abundantly on irrigated soil in
he Northwest and seed of excellent
quality VIII probably now be available
% supply all those who may care to
Use it.