Sweet Clover

Categories: OTHER LEGUMES AND CEREAL CATCH CROPS

Much interest has been aroused within recent years in

sweet clover, a legume that formerly was regarded as a more or less

pernicious weed. Its friends regard it as a promising forage crop, but

too little is definitely known to permit its advocacy here except as a

soil-builder in the case of poor land that is not too deficient in lime

to permit good growth. Experiments have shown that a taste for this

bitter plant can b acquired by livestock, and it is nearly as

nutritious as alfalfa when cut before it becomes coarse and woody. It

is a strong grower, sending its roots well down into the subsoil, and

its great ability to secure nitrogen from the air enables it to make a

very heavy growth of top. The yield in forage usually exceeds that of

the clovers.



Its most peculiar characteristic is its ability to thrive in a poor,

compact soil that contains little humus. It may be seen in thrifty

condition on roadsides and in waste places that seemingly would not

support other plants. Laying aside all consideration of its

possibilities as a forage crop, it will come into greater popularity as

a soil-builder on thin land. It is found usually on land of limestone

formation, and shares with other legumes a liking for lime, but it has

been grown successfully in regions that are known to have a lime

deficiency.



There are two biennial varieties and one annual. The biennial having

white blossoms is the one most commonly seen, but the smaller variety

with yellow blossoms is more leafy and palatable. The larger variety is

the better fertilizer.



The seed does not germinate readily, and 20 to 30 pounds is used per

acre. The soil should be compact, and the seeding can be made in the

spring with a cover crop, or in August by itself. Inoculation is

necessary if the right bacteria are not present. Soil from an alfalfa

field will serve for inoculation.



An effort should be made to grow sweet clover on all infertile

hillsides that are lying bare. It stops washing and paves the way for a

sod of nutritious grasses.