The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-03-22

be cut when the first blossoms APP
pear. The first cutting should be
cut above the first sprout to allow
for second growth. Hay is cured
in the usual way for clover. The
use of side delivery rake and the
handling of the crop as much as
possible before the leaves fall,
helps to produce a more palatable
hay. | am surprized to find that
some farmers prefer sweet clover
hay, ton for ton, to alfalfa. The
digestibility of the two are almost
identical and the results can be
expected with proper curing of the
two hays. Sweet clover hay should
not, however, be fed alone as the
only roughage for long period as
"sweet clover poisoning" may re-
suit. The best authorities now
claim that no serious results need
be feared when clover, straw, or
other roughage is fed as supple
ment. The yield of sweet clover is
usually about three tons per acre
per year. Following the second cut
ting the field may be plowed and
Immediately back fallowed to era
dictate weeds.
Sweet clover is soil builder,
This fact is brought about by the
nitrifying bacteria on the roots. To
insure the best growth and maxi
mum work of the bacteria, the seed
should be thoroly inoculated before
sowing. Without incubation on the
average sill, winter killing takes
place severely and a scattered
stand is evidenced in the spring.
The plants are not so well fed and
thrifty. The few plants remaining
are usually inoculated by natural
methods and the soil then becomes
inoculated which may result in a
better growth the following year.
incubation with pure culture from
the U. S. Department of Agricul-
ture or commercial cultures may
be used according to directions. In
some cases it has been found that
bacteria grown in similar soil in
creases in virulance and is prefer
red for incubation. Ordinary inoc-
ulation of the seed may be made
by securing one pound of pulver-
lied soil for each 10 pounds OF
seed. Screen the soil and Their
thoroughly mix with the seed
When this is done the commercial
or government incubation may be
added and providing a double in
oculation or the seed may be mois-
tened with water containing a
small amount of sugar to make the
dirt stick. Then the seed should
be dried slowly in an indirect SUM-
light room. lit is then ready to sow,
incubation methods should be
carefully practiced until such time
as the crop has been thoroughly
established on a slightly acid soil
but more severe acid soils will need
from 2 to 3 tons of lime or mari
per acre.
Crops following sweet clover are
usually increased in yield.
Heavier yields of corn and
potatoes invariably issue. These
two crops are important in Wa
dena county and should be planted
if possible at this point in the ro-
tation. A good four year rotation
being first year small grain seed
ed to sweet clover; second year,
sweet clover for hay or pasture.
blowing under about August l
and third year corn or potatoes.
Sow thistle control or suppress
sion at least can be affected by
good cultural practices and the
planting of sweet clover OH every
acre of land going into small grain.
This weed cannot stand moving
twice each year, if the moving is
done early before seeding. About
August 1, the land should be
thoroughly plowed and back fall
lowed until late in the fall.
To summarize:
1. Sweet clover pasture is sure
and high yielding.
1. Sweet clover makes good
hay.
8. "A sstand of, sweet clover is
more certain than medium red on
sandy soils.
a. The crop builds up the soil
and increases the yield of follow
ing crops.
5. Withstands Edraught better
than other clovers as 1t is deeper
rooted.
6. Sweet clover seed is cheaper
than most clovers. This warrants
liberal seeding, with every acre go
ing into small grain this spring.
Z. Sweet clover forms an inn
portant link in SOW thistle and
other weed control.