Clovers and How to Grow Them

THE AUTHORS PREFACE Some books have been written on Clover in the United States, and as far as they go they serve a good purpose. Many references and discussions have also appeared in various bulletins and reports issued by the experiment stations. These have proved helpful not only in the States in which they have been issued, but also in other States where the conditions are similar. But no book or bulletin has yet appeared which discusses the growth of clovers as applicable to all parts of the United States and Canada. Nor has any been issued which takes up the subject in orderly and consecutive sequence. It is evident, therefore, that there is not only room for a book which will cover the ground with at least measureable fulness, but also in concise and orderly succession, but there is great need for it. It has been the aim of the author to write such a book. Only those varieties of clover are discussed at length which are possessed of economic value. The treatment of the subjects is virtually the same as was adopted in writing the book on Grasses and How to Grow Them. Some references are made to the history, characteristics and distribution of each variety. These are followed by discussions with reference to soil adaptation place in the rotation preparing the soil sowing pasturing harvesting for hay securing seed and renewing th stand. The book is intended, in some measure at least, to meet the needs of the students of agriculture, with reference to the plants discussed and also of all who are concerned in the tilling of the soil. St. Anthony Park, Minn. 1906 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I. PAGE. Introductory ----------- i CHAPTER II. General Principles for Growing Clovers - - - 6 CHAPTER III. Medium Red Clover --------57 CHAPTER IV. Alfalfa-------------114 CHAPTER V. Alsike Clover----------- 194 CHAPTER VI. Mammoth Clover ---------218 CHAPTER VII. Crimson Clover ---------- 238 White Clover - .. CHAPTER VIII. 258 CHAPTER IX. Japan Clover----------- 279 CONTENTS CHAPTER X. Burr Clover -----------291 CHAPTER XL Sweet Clover - ..... 300 CHAPTER XII. Miscellaneous Clovers ----... i6 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS FIG. PAGE. i Alsike Clover Frontispiece. Medium Red . 61 3 Alfalfa .--115 4 Field of Alfalfa 171 5 Alsike .. - - - - 195 6 Crimson----------- 239 7 White ----------- 259 8 Japan ----------- 281 9 Sweet --- 301 10 Sainfoin ------------ 318 11 Beggar Weed Flower and Seed Stems - 339 12 Beggar Weed Root System - - - 341