CRIMSON CLOVER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2758, 23 January 1907, Page 6

CRIMSON CLOVER.

I In previous times of drought, crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) has been re- | commended io farmers as a fodder plant j of rapid growth and valuable feeding qua- • lities. It has given good lesults, and Ehould be woith a trial in the present dryseason. The best practice is to drill 161b , to 201b per acre on stubble land, immediately after haivest ; but it may be sown I broadcas-t, and under favourable circumstances it may be lightly fed off as early as two months— sometimes even less — from the time o-f sowing. The -j^ue of such a "bite"' to a flock of lambs in a time of scarcity of feed can scarcely be over- I estimated. In the ordinary course crimson clover sown as mentioned produces { early and abundant spring feed, airiving at the flowering stage in October or November ; it is then fed off and the land I ploughed for the succeeding crop. It s, 1 of course, an annual, and must not be I regarded as a substitute for the cloveis lin regular pastures. It is frequently sown I with Italian ryegrass, an abundance of spring and eaily summer feed being obtained from the crop. On well-cultivated land it will succeed with very little moisture, a shower at sowing seeming to satisfy its needs, while it is paitud to warmth. There is a widespread prejudice against crimson clover owing to its reputed failure to germinate, but seed obtained from a reliable merchant and sown under fair conditions -will give no cause for complaint.