Renewing

When clover is grown for hay, it is not usual to try to

renew the crop, because of the short-lived period of the plant. But in

some instances it has been found advantageous. On light prairie soils

sandy in texture, located in the upper Mississippi basin, it has been

found possible to grow timothy meadow for several years in succession

with a goodly sprinkling of clover in it without re-seeding. In such

instances, the land is not pastured at all, except in seasons quite

favorable to growth, and in these the pasturing is not close. The clover

plants that grow after the crop has been cut for hay produce seed. The

heads in due time break off and are scattered more or less over the soil

by the winds. In time they disintegrate, and more or less of the seed

germinates, thus forming new plants, some of which, especially in

favorable seasons, retain their hold upon the soil. This method may be

worthy of imitation in localities where it has been found difficult to

get a stand in dry seasons on this class of soils.



When the stand of clover secured is variable, that is to say, partial,

as when the clover is abundant in the lower portions of the land and

entirely absent on the higher ground, it may be worth while to re-sow

the seed on the latter early the following spring. But before doing so,

the land should be carefully disked in the fall, and the clover seed

harrowed or otherwise covered in the spring. Should the summer following

prove favorable, the seed thus sown may produce hay, but not likely in

time to be harvested with the other portions of the field. But though it

should not produce much hay the seed is likely to be benefited to an

extent that will far more than repay the outlay involved in labor and

seed.



If the clover has been sown for pasture, the renewal of the same on

higher ground may be made as stated above, but with the difference that

the same kind or kinds of grain may also be sown at the same time as the

clover is becoming rooted.



In pastures, medium red clover may be renewed whenever the attempt is

made to renew the pastures, as by disking them and then sowing upon them

the seeds of certain grasses or clovers or both. The disking is usually

done in the spring and while the frost is out for only a short distance

below the surface. The amount of seed to sow need not be large, usually

not more than 2 or 3 pounds per acre, especially when seed of other

varieties is sown at the same time. One stroke of the harrow following

will provide a sufficient covering for the seed.