Clovers and How to Grow Them   By: Thomas Shaw (1843-1918)

CLOVERS AND HOW TO GROW THEM

BY THOMAS SHAW

Author of "Forage Crops Other than Grasses," "The Study of Breeds," "Soiling Crops and the Silo," "Animal Breeding," "Grasses and How to Grow Them," etc.

NEW YORK ORANGE JUDD COMPANY 1906

COPYRIGHT, 1906 By ORANGE JUDD COMPANY

TO ALL PERSONS WHO ARE OR MAY BE INTERESTED IN THE GROWING OF CLOVERS THIS WORK IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR

St. Anthony Park, Minn. 1906

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In preparing this work, the chief sources of information beyond the author's experience and observation have been the bulletins issued by the various experiment stations in the United States and discussions in the Agricultural Press.

For the illustrations the author is indebted to Professor A. M. Soule of the experiment station of Tennessee, Professor H. H. Hume of the experiment station of Louisiana and Mr. W. T. Shaw of the experiment station of Oregon.

THE AUTHOR'S 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 the 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 1

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

CHAPTER VIII. White Clover 258