The Project Gutenberg eBook ofSweet Clover: UtilizationThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Sweet Clover: UtilizationAuthor: H. S. CoeRelease date: July 28, 2020 [eBook #62782]Most recently updated: October 18, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Tom Cosmas from images provided by USDA throughThe Internet Archive.*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SWEET CLOVER: UTILIZATION ***
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.
Title: Sweet Clover: UtilizationAuthor: H. S. CoeRelease date: July 28, 2020 [eBook #62782]Most recently updated: October 18, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Tom Cosmas from images provided by USDA throughThe Internet Archive.
Title: Sweet Clover: Utilization
Author: H. S. Coe
Author: H. S. Coe
Release date: July 28, 2020 [eBook #62782]Most recently updated: October 18, 2024
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Tom Cosmas from images provided by USDA throughThe Internet Archive.
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SWEET CLOVER: UTILIZATION ***
SWEET CLOVER: UTILIZATIONH. S. COEAssistant Agronomist, Forage-Crop InvestigationsFARMERS' BULLETIN 820UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREContribution from the Bureau of Plant IndustryWM. A. TAYLOR, ChiefWashington, D. C.May 1917
Assistant Agronomist, Forage-Crop Investigations
FARMERS' BULLETIN 820UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Contribution from the Bureau of Plant Industry
WM. A. TAYLOR, Chief
WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1917
SSWEET CLOVER may be utilized for feeding purposes, as pasturage, hay, or ensilage. With the possible exception of alfalfa on fertile soil, sweet clover, when properly handled, will furnish as much nutritious pasturage from early spring until late fall as any other legume. It seldom causes bloat.Stock may refuse to eat sweet clover at first, but this distaste can be overcome by keeping them on a field of young plants for a few days.As cattle crave dry roughage when pasturing on sweet clover, they should have access to it. Straw answers this purpose very well.An acre of sweet clover ordinarily will support 20 to 30 sholes.On account of the succulent growth, it is often difficult, in humid climates, to cure the first crop of the second season into a good quality of hay.When seeded without a nurse crop, one cutting of hay may be obtained the first year in the North and two or three cullings in the South. Two cuttings are often obtained in the South after grain harvest. The second year a cutting of hay and a seed crop usually are harvested.Sweet clover should never be permitted to show flower buds before it is cut for hay. It is very important that the first crop of the second season be cut so high that a new growth will develop. When the plants have made a growth of 36 to 40 inches it may be necessary to leave the stubble 10 to 12 inches high.In cutting the first crop of the second season it is a good plan to have extension shoe soles made for the mower, so that a high stubble may be left. In some sections of the country sweet clover as a silage plant is gaining in favor rapidly.This crop has given excellent results as a feed for cattle and sheep. Experiments show that it compares favorably with alfalfa.Sweet clover has proved to be a profitable soil-improving crop. The large, deep roots add much humus to the soil and improve the aeration and drainage. As a rule, the yield of crops following sweet clover is increased materially.Being a biennial, this crop lends itself readily to short rotations.Sweet clover is a valuable honey plant, in that in all sections of the country it secretes an abundance of nectar.This bulletin discusses only, the utilization of sweet clover. A discussion of the growing of the crop may be found in Farmers' Bulletin 797.
S
SWEET CLOVER may be utilized for feeding purposes, as pasturage, hay, or ensilage. With the possible exception of alfalfa on fertile soil, sweet clover, when properly handled, will furnish as much nutritious pasturage from early spring until late fall as any other legume. It seldom causes bloat.
Stock may refuse to eat sweet clover at first, but this distaste can be overcome by keeping them on a field of young plants for a few days.
As cattle crave dry roughage when pasturing on sweet clover, they should have access to it. Straw answers this purpose very well.
An acre of sweet clover ordinarily will support 20 to 30 sholes.
On account of the succulent growth, it is often difficult, in humid climates, to cure the first crop of the second season into a good quality of hay.
When seeded without a nurse crop, one cutting of hay may be obtained the first year in the North and two or three cullings in the South. Two cuttings are often obtained in the South after grain harvest. The second year a cutting of hay and a seed crop usually are harvested.
Sweet clover should never be permitted to show flower buds before it is cut for hay. It is very important that the first crop of the second season be cut so high that a new growth will develop. When the plants have made a growth of 36 to 40 inches it may be necessary to leave the stubble 10 to 12 inches high.
In cutting the first crop of the second season it is a good plan to have extension shoe soles made for the mower, so that a high stubble may be left. In some sections of the country sweet clover as a silage plant is gaining in favor rapidly.
This crop has given excellent results as a feed for cattle and sheep. Experiments show that it compares favorably with alfalfa.
Sweet clover has proved to be a profitable soil-improving crop. The large, deep roots add much humus to the soil and improve the aeration and drainage. As a rule, the yield of crops following sweet clover is increased materially.
Being a biennial, this crop lends itself readily to short rotations.
Sweet clover is a valuable honey plant, in that in all sections of the country it secretes an abundance of nectar.
This bulletin discusses only, the utilization of sweet clover. A discussion of the growing of the crop may be found in Farmers' Bulletin 797.