Book: Clovers and How to Grow Them

T >> Thomas Shaw >> Clovers and How to Grow Them




All these varieties are annual. The period of growth covered by any one
of them is never more than 9 months, and usually not more than 6
months; that is to say, from October to March. The Muscowi variety
especially grows very rapidly.

Egyptian clover in all its varieties is pre-eminently a soiling plant.
It is sometimes pastured and is also made into hay. It is practically
the one fodder crop of Egypt, and is more commonly fed in the green
form. All kinds of stock are fond of it, and it is fed freely to horses,
donkeys and camels at labor, to cows in milk, and to cattle that are
being fattened. It also serves to keep Egyptian soils supplied with
nitrogen, for the support of crops grown on them in summer, especially
cotton, and various kinds of grain. Moreover, because of the frequency
of the cuttings, with the Muscowi variety, its growth tends very much to
check the growth of weeds.

Egyptian clover is not native to Egypt, but was introduced from some
country outside of Egypt, yet bordering on the Mediterranean. This, at
least, is the view presented in Bulletin No. 23, issued by the Bureau of
Plant Industry, United States Department of Agriculture, from which
source much of what is written with reference to this plant has been
obtained. In Egypt more than 1,000,000 acres are grown annually. It is
also being tried, with much promise, in other portions of Northern
Africa, as Tunis and Algiers. It is also now being experimented with in
various parts of the Southern and Southwestern States.

Egyptian clover is only adapted to a warm climate. In those parts of the
United States which have a climate not unlike that of Egypt, in many
respects, as Florida, Southern Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, it may
have an important mission. It may yet be grown in these areas, or some
of them, where irrigation is practiced in conjunction with cotton, or
with certain of the cereals. If it can be thus grown, it will prove of
much value, as it would only occupy the land when not occupied by the
crops usually grown in summer, and it would bring much fertility to the
same, in addition to the forage provided. Since in Tunis it has been
found that the plants have not been killed by cold 2 deg. below zero and in
Algiers 9 deg. below that point, the hope would seem to be justifiable that
this clover may yet be grown much further north than the States named.
If grown thus, however, it should not be as a substitute for alfalfa,
but rather to occupy the ground in winter when not producing otherwise.
It may yet be found that the Saida variety may have adaptation for some
localities in the West where irrigation cannot be practiced. This clover
is not likely to render any considerable service to any part of Canada,
because of the lack of adaptation in the climate.

Egyptian clover has highest adaptation for deposit soils, such as are
made by the settling of silt held in solution by waters that overflow.
In these it will grow with vigor, though they rest upon coarse sand or
even upon gravel not too near the surface. Irrigating waters to some
extent are necessary to grow the plants in best form, although, as
previously intimated, the Saida variety may yet be grown without the aid
of such waters. It is the first crop sown on reclaimed alkaline lands,
and growing it on these tends to remove the alkali and to sweeten and
otherwise improve the soils.

The place for this plant in the rotation is readily apparent. Like
crimson clover, it is clearly a catch crop, as it were, and a winter
plant, but with the difference that it grows much more rapidly under
suitable conditions and furnishes much more food. The advantage of
growing it northward in the Western mountain valleys when sown in
spring, as intimated by the writer of the bulletin already referred to,
would seem to be at least problematical, since it could not be sown
early enough in the spring to produce a crop as early as alfalfa already
established. It would then be grown also as the crop of the season,
rather than as a catch crop. The place for Egyptian clover in the
rotation is clearly that of a winter crop, to provide soiling food for
stock and plant food for the land, which may be utilized by the summer
crop that follows.

In Egypt the seed is frequently sown on the silt deposited by the waters
that have subsided and before it would be dry enough to plow. At other
times, it is sowed on land stirred on the surface to a greater or less
depth, and sprouted through the aid of irrigating waters. In the valleys
of the West that preparation of the soil found suitable for alfalfa
would also, doubtless, be found suitable for this clover.

The seed is sown in the autumn in Egypt, usually in October, but the
season of sowing lasts from September to January, and some crops have
been obtained sown as late as April 1st, but when sown late, the number
of the cuttings is reduced and the occupancy of the soil by the clover
interferes with the growing of other crops. Under American conditions,
it will doubtless be found that the best season for sowing Egyptian
clover will be just after the removal of the crop that occupied the land
in summer. The seed is usually sowed by hand and without admixture, but
the Fachl variety is sown in some instances with wheat or barley when
seed is wanted. The methods of sowing found suitable for alfalfa would
also seem to be proper for sowing Egyptian clover. (See page 78.) As
much as one bushel of seed is sown per acre, but it is thought that a
less amount will suffice under good methods of tillage.

Egyptian clover is sometimes pastured, but it has higher adaptation to
soiling, because of the softness of the stems. When pastured reasonably
close, cropping would probably be preferable, as there would then be
less waste from the treading of the plants. Nevertheless, in Egypt
considerable quantities of the hay are stored for feeding in the summer
months when green fodder is scarce.

Egyptian clover is sometimes made into hay, but it is not essentially a
hay plant. Much care is necessary when it is being cured to prevent loss
in the leaves, and when cured the stems are so brittle that it is
difficult to prevent waste in handling the hay. It is pre-eminently a
soiling crop, and the greater portion is fed in the green form. From 4
cuttings of the Muscowi variety as much as 25 to 30 tons of green
fodder are harvested, and about 10 tons are produced by 2 cuttings of
the Saida variety.

Egyptian clover has not been grown sufficiently long in this country to
justify giving information based upon American experience that could be
taken as authoritative, with reference to the best methods of harvesting
the seed crop. There would seem to be no reasons, however, to suppose
that the methods followed in harvesting alfalfa could not be followed
with equal advantage in harvesting Egyptian clover. Nor can anything be
said as yet with reference to which cutting of the series will furnish
the best seed crop.

The best service, probably, which this crop can render to the United
States is the enrichment of the soils on which the plants are grown. As
the same bacteria which inoculate alfalfa soils will not answer for
Egyptian clover, and as the requisite bacteria may not be found in soils
where it is desirable to grow this clover, the conclusion that it will
not grow sufficiently well in certain soils on which it is being tried
should not be reached until the question relating to the presence or
absence of the proper bacteria has been settled. If necessary to
introduce bacteria from Egypt, the obstacles in the way of such
introduction would not be at all serious, if undertaken by the
Department of Agriculture.


YELLOW CLOVER

Yellow clover (_Medicago lupulina_) is to be carefully distinguished
from Hop clover (_Medicago procumbens_), which it resembles so closely
in the form of the leaves and the color of the bloom as to have given
rise in some instances to the interchangeable use of the names. The
latter is so named from the resemblance of the withered head when ripe
to a bunch of hops. Its growth has been almost entirely superseded by
_Medicago lupulina_, since the other variety was low in production and
also in nutrition. _Medicago lupulina_ is also called Black Medick,
Nonesuch, Black Nonesuch and Hop Trefoil. In both England and Germany it
is now more commonly grown than white clover. It is more or less
recumbent in its habit of growth, but the stems do not root as do the
runners in the small white variety. The stems, though tender in the
early spring, become woody as the season advances. The flowers, as the
name would indicate, are yellow, and the plants produce seed numerously.
The roots, like those of the small white variety, are more fibrous than
in some of the larger varieties.

Yellow clover is perennial. Owing to the power which the plants have to
multiply through rooting and re-seeding, they can stay indefinitely in
congenial soils. The growth is vigorous in the early part of the season,
but less so later, and with the advance of the season the herbage
produced becomes more woody in character.

This plant furnishes considerable pasture during the spring months, but
in the summer and autumn it makes but little growth. Though palatable
early in the season, it is less so later. Nevertheless, it may be made
to add materially to the produce of pastures in which it grows. It also
aids in fertilizing the soil, though probably not quite to the same
extent as white clover.

Yellow clover is indigenous to Europe. It is grown to a considerable
extent in pastures in certain areas in Great Britain, France, Germany
and other countries. It has highest adaptation for climates that are
moist and temperate. Although this plant is not extensively grown in the
United States, it would seem probable that it will grow at least
reasonably well in a majority of the States. The exceptions will be
those lacking in moisture in the absence of irrigation. It will grow
best in those that more properly lie within the clover belt; that is, in
those that lie northward. It grows with much vigor in Oregon and
Washington west of the Cascade Mountains. In Canada, yellow clover will
grow with much vigor in all areas susceptible of cultivation, unless on
certain of the western prairies.

Yellow clover has highest adaptation for calcareous soils. In certain
parts of England it has grown so vigorously on soils rich in lime as
almost to assume the character of a troublesome weed. It will grow well
on all clay loam soils, and reasonably well on stiff clays, the climatic
conditions being suitable. It has greater power to grow on dry soils
than the small white variety.

Since yellow clover is usually grown as an adjunct to permanent
pastures, it can scarcely be called a rotation plant. But, like other
clovers, it enriches the soil, and, therefore, should be followed by
crops that are specially benefited by such enrichment, as, for
instance, the small cereal grains.

Yellow clover when sown is usually sown with other grass mixtures, and
along with grain as a nurse crop; hence, that preparation of the soil
suitable for the nurse crop will also be found suitable for the clover.
It is, moreover, a hardy plant, insomuch that in some instances, if the
seed is scattered over unplowed surfaces, as those of pastures, in the
early spring, a sufficient number of plants will be obtained to
eventually establish the clover through self-seeding.

The seed is usually sown in the early spring, but in mild latitudes it
may also be sown in the early autumn. It may be sown by the same methods
as other clovers. (See page 267.) It is usually sown to provide pasture,
the seed being mixed with that of other pasture plants before being
sown. As the plants, like those of the small white variety, have much
power to increase rather than decrease in pastures, it is not necessary
to sow large quantities of seed, not more usually than 1 pound to the
acre. But should the crops be wanted for seed, then not fewer than 3 to
5 pounds per acre should be sown and without admixture with other
grasses or clovers. When the plants once obtain a footing on congenial
soils, there is usually enough of seed in the soil to make a sufficient
stand of the plants in pastures without sowing any seed, but since the
seed is usually relatively cheap, where an insufficient supply in the
soil is suspected, more or less seed should be sown.

Since the stems of yellow clover plants become tough as the season of
growth becomes considerably advanced, where it forms a considerable
proportion of the pasture the aim should be to graze most heavily during
the early part of the season. The plants do not make much growth during
the autumn. It would probably be correct to say that it can grow under
conditions more dry than are suitable for white clover, and,
consequently, it is more uniformly prominent in evidence in permanent
pastures when it has become established.

Yellow clover is not a really good hay plant, owing to its lack of
bulkiness. But in some soils its presence may add considerably to the
weight of a crop of hay, of which it is a factor.

This plant produces seed freely. The seeds are dark in color and weigh
60 pounds to the bushel. The seed matures early, usually in June or
July, according to locality. The methods of harvesting, threshing and
preparing the seed for market are substantially the same as those
adapted in handling small white clover. (See page 272.)

While yellow clover is not the equal of the small white clover in
adaptation to our conditions, it would seem that there are no reasons
why it should not be sown to a greater extent than it is sown under
American conditions. A plant that is so hardy, that provides a
considerable quantity of reasonably good pasture, that stores nitrogen
in the soil, and that, moreover, does not stay in the soil to the extent
of injuring crops that follow the breaking up of the pastures, should
certainly be encouraged to grow.


SAND LUCERNE

Sand Lucerne (_Medicago media_), sometimes designated _Medicago
falcata_, is probably simply a variety of the common alfalfa (_Medicago
sativa_). Some botanists, however, look upon these as two distinct
species. Others believe that _Medicago sativa_, with blossoms ranging
from blue to violet purple, and _Medicago falcata_, with yellow
blossoms, are two distinct species, while _Medicago media_, with
blossoms ranging from bluish and purple to lemon yellow, is a hybrid
between these. The name Sand Lucerne has doubtless been given to this
plant because of the power which it has to grow in sandy soils.

Sand lucerne is so nearly like common alfalfa in appearance and habits
of growth, that until the blossoming season, careless observers cannot
distinguish between the plants. (See page 114.) Sand lucerne, however,
has a more spreading habit of growth than common alfalfa, the seed-pods
are less coiled and the seeds are lighter. The root system is strong and
the roots are probably more branched than those of ordinary alfalfa.
Under Michigan experience, given in Bulletin No. 198 of the Michigan
Experiment Station, it has shown considerably higher adaptation to
light, sandy and gravelly soils than the former. The feeding properties
of sand lucerne would not seem to be far different from those of common
alfalfa (see page 119), but it is claimed that the former is
considerably less liable to produce bloat in cattle and sheep than the
latter.

Sand lucerne is probably native to Europe and Asia. Some attention is
given to growing it in Germany, the principal source from which comes
supplies of seed at the present time. It was introduced into Michigan by
the experiment station of that State in 1897, and its behavior in
several trials made to grow it on sandy and gravelly soils in various
places, has, on the whole, been encouraging.

Since this variety, like the Turkestan, being considerably hardier than
common alfalfa, can undoubtedly be grown further north than the latter,
there would seem to be no reasons at the same time why sand lucerne
would not grow satisfactorily on sandy soils that lie far south, but
this does not seem as yet to have been proved by actual demonstration.
It is possible, therefore, that this plant may render considerable
service to areas scattered over considerable portions of the United
States and Canada, in which the soil is light.

While sand lucerne has higher adaptation than common alfalfa for sandy
and gravelly soils, it does not follow that it has equal adaptation for
being grown on ordinary alfalfa soils. No advantage, however, would
result from growing sand lucerne where common alfalfa will grow equally
well, as it is not superior to the latter as a food, if, indeed, it is
equal to the same, and there would be a distinct disadvantage in the
greater cost of the seed of sand lucerne.

Sand lucerne is not any more a rotation plant than the common variety.
In fact, it is even less so, since it would not be practicable to
introduce it into short rotations when grown in northerly latitudes, as
it does not reach a maximum growth for several years after the seed has
been sown. But in mild latitudes, it may be found practicable to
introduce it into short rotations, like other alfalfa (see page 135),
and on land that is too sandy to grow the common variety in the best
form.

Much of what has been said about the preparation of the soil for common
alfalfa will equally apply to the preparation of the same for sand
lucerne. (See page 137.) But when the latter is sown on sandy or
gravelly land, a moist condition of the seed-bed at the time of sowing
is even more important than when sowing common alfalfa under ordinary
conditions.

The same methods of sowing the seed will be in order as are suitable for
sowing common alfalfa in any particular locality. (See page 147.) This
will mean that in Northern areas sand lucerne can best be sown in the
spring and as early as the danger from frost is over, that the plants
may get as much benefit as possible from the moisture in the soil before
dry weather begins. It will also mean that if sown southward in the
autumn, it may in some instances be necessary to wait longer for the
sandy soils on which the seed is sown to become sufficiently moist to
sprout the seed than for such a condition in soils on which common
alfalfa is usually sown. The amounts of seed to sow will also be
practically the same. (See page 152.)

The adaptation of sand lucerne for providing pasture is as high, if not,
indeed, higher, than that of common alfalfa, since it is said that it
has less tendency to produce bloat in cattle and sheep, and it is not
so easily destroyed, at least in Northern areas, by grazing. In
providing pasture, its higher adaptation is in furnishing the same for
cattle, swine and horses.

With ample moisture, even as far north as Lansing, Michigan, three crops
of hay may ordinarily be looked for. At the Michigan Experiment Station,
sand lucerne sown in 1897 yielded cured: In 1898, at the rate of 6800
pounds per acre; in 1899, 10,580 pounds; in 1900, 12,310 pounds; and in
1901, 13,839 pounds. The methods of cutting and curing are the same as
for other varieties of alfalfa. (See page 170.) The quality of the hay
is not far different from that of common alfalfa. If there is a
difference, it would, perhaps, be a little against the sand lucerne,
owing to the nature of the land producing it. For soiling food, it may
be handled in the same way as common alfalfa. (See page 166.)

No further information would seem to be available with reference to the
production of seed in the United States than the statement that the
efforts to grow it in Michigan had not been altogether successful. The
question thus raised has an important bearing on the future growth of
the plant, as, if seed is to be imported from Europe when sand lucerne
is to be sown, the expense of securing seed is likely to militate
against extending its growth. It is probable, however, that this
difficulty will be overcome through the more perfect acclimation of the
plants in the North, or by growing seed from the same in Western areas
which have shown higher adaptation to the production of alfalfa seed.

The value of sand lucerne in fertilizing sandy and gravelly soils in
this country may yet be very considerable. Its value in putting humus
into the same may prove equally high. This value will arise chiefly from
its greater ability to grow on such soils than various other legumes.
When sown primarily for such a use, heavy seeding would seem to be
preferable to ordinary seeding.


JAPANESE CLOVER

The United States Department of Agriculture has quite recently
introduced a variety of clover known botanically as _Lespedeza bicolor_.
In 1902 small lots of seed were distributed to ascertain the value of
the plant grown under American conditions. Sufficient time has not yet
elapsed to prove its value, but the indications encourage the belief
that it will be of some agricultural value under certain conditions.

This variety of clover is more erect and less branched in its habit of
growth than the Japanese variety _Lespedeza striata_. Under Michigan
conditions it was found to grow to the height of 3 feet on sandy soil
and to about half that height on clay soil, the seed having been sown
about the middle of May. The stalks are about the same in structure as
those of alfalfa, and like alfalfa they do not lodge readily. The leaves
are ovate in form and of a pea-green tint. The seed is formed in pods
resembling those of lentils, only smaller. The seeds are larger than
those of crimson clover and are oblong in shape. In color they are
mottled brown, yellow and green. The roots in the Michigan test produced
nodules freely and without inoculating the soil by any artificial means.
The plants in the same tests were killed to the ground by early October
frosts.

This variety, like that grown so freely in the Southern States, is an
annual. In the absence of experience in growing it under varied
conditions, it would be premature to dwell upon its value. If it should
grow readily on sandy land, as the Michigan test would seem to indicate,
it would render substantial service in fertilizing such soils. In the
grass garden of the Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. C., its
behavior has been such as to encourage making further tests.


FLORIDA CLOVER

Florida clover (_Desmodium tortuosum_) is sometimes grown both for hay
and pasture, more especially in the Gulf States. It has been designated
botanically _Desmodium molle_, and is also known by the common names
Beggar Weed, Giant Beggar Weed, Beggar Ticks and Tickweed. The name
Florida Clover has been given to it because of its prevalence on the
light soils of Florida. The name "beggar" has probably been applied to
this plant because of its relation to poverty in soils, in which it is
more commonly grown, and the name "ticks" from the clinging habit of the
seed-pods to surfaces with which they come in contact.

Beggar Weed is an erect and branching plant, which grows from 2 to 10
feet high. The branches are woody in character, especially in the lower
parts, which prevents close cropping by animals grazing on the plants.
The trifoliate leaves are numerous, especially on the upper portions.
The panicle is erect and is considerably branched. The pods are prickly
and have many joints. These break asunder when matured, and are
frequently distributed by adhering to the covering of animals and the
clothing of men. The strong, spreading roots have much power to gather
food in the soil and also to enrich the same by means of the tubercles
formed on the roots.

[Illustration: Fig. 11. Beggar Weed or Florida Clover
(_Desmodium tortuosum_) (Flower and Seed Stems)
North Carolina Experiment Station]

This plant grows only in warm weather, and it is able to withstand much
drought. Its value for pasture and hay would seem to depend considerably
on the stage of growth at which it is grazed or harvested for hay. When
nearing maturity, stock do not relish it much, either as pasture or hay.
It is frequently classed as a weed, but in certain poor soils it has
been deemed worthy of cultivation.

Beggar weed is native to the West India Islands and also, it is thought,
to Southern Florida. In 1879 seeds were distributed by the Department of
Agriculture. It is now grown more or less in the wild or cultivated form
in all the Gulf States. While it may be successfully grown as far north
as the Ohio River, it is not probable that it will be sown far north of
any of the Gulf States, since other fodder plants more valuable in
producing food can be grown to supply the wants of live stock. At the
Minnesota University Experiment Farm, the author sowed seed in May.
The plants came into bloom in September, but did not mature any seed.

[Illustration: Fig. 12. Beggar Weed
(_Desmodium tortuosum_) (Root System)
North Carolina Experiment Station]

Beggar weed will grow on almost any kind of soil reasonably free from an
excess of ground moisture. Its power to grow on poor and light soils,
even light enough to lift with the wind, is very considerable. Its
highest use will probably be found on soils so light and sterile that
better forms of useful vegetation are not easily grown on them.

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