When the crop is planted on extremely poor soils, good stands and growth cannot be expected. Such soil conditions may be improved by the application of manure and phosphate fertilizers or by turning under such crops as cowpeas, soybeans, or lespedeza. In many soils of low fertility the use of 50 to 100 pounds per acre of a nitrogen fertilizer will encourage early seedling growth and establishment. On the fertile soils of this region crimson clover may be successfully grown without fertilizer, but on most soils applications of 200 pounds of phosphate fertilizer per acre are profitable in obtaining stands and vigorous growth (fig. 3). The use of potash is recommended when a deficiency is known to exist. [Illustration: Figure 3.--Effect of phosphate application on good soil: Treated (left); untreated (right).] =Seed Sources= Of the total amount of seed normally used approximately 60 percent is of foreign origin, coming principally from Hungary and France. Most of the domestic crimson clover seed offered on the market is produced in south-central Tennessee. While white-flowered strains and others differing in maturity have been isolated, they are little used. Claims have been made that locally grown seed is superior to seed from other sources including that of foreign origin. Further experiments are needed to determine whether such differences actually exist. =Rate and Time of Seeding= Under ordinary conditions 15 to 18 pounds of hulled seed will give good stands unless there is a deficiency of soil moisture. Depending upon the amount of foreign material 45 to 60 pounds of unhulled seed is comparable to a 15-pound seeding rate of hulled seed. Crimson clover may be sown from the middle of August until October 1 with the expectation of securing a good stand. The later it is seeded the less growth can be expected and the more readily winterkilling occurs. The early establishment of the plants becomes more important as plantings are extended northward. Seeding crimson clover, if possible, either immediately before or following heavy rains will increase its chances of making a stand. The spring planting of crimson clover in or south of the Corn Belt usually results in a short, stunted growth followed by meager blossoming and an unprofitable yield. =Inoculation= In many parts of the crimson clover region it is not necessary to inoculate the seed; but if clover has not been successfully grown on a soil, inoculation of the seed is good insurance. If the plants are not inoculated they will develop slowly, become yellow, and die. Inoculated plants are able to obtain about two-thirds of their nitrogen from the air through their root nodules. The plants may be artificially inoculated by applying pure cultures of the bacteria to the seed or by scattering soil from a field where inoculated crimson clover has been grown. Two hundred to three hundred pounds per acre of such soil evenly distributed at seeding time is sufficient.