Crimson clover grows rapidly in fall and spring and furnishes an abundance
of grazing (fig. 3). If planted early and good fall growth is made,
the clover may also be grazed during the fall and winter months. Such
a practice has been successfully followed in many States where crimson
clover is providing winter pasture. Crimson clover combined with small
grains or ryegrass has been most widely used for winter grazing. Crimson
clover makes little growth during cold periods in winter. Under such
conditions, to prevent close grazing, it is necessary to remove the
animals or shift them to other fields that have not been grazed.
[Illustration: Figure 3.--Crimson clover provides an abundance of early
spring grazing.]
Animals grazing on crimson clover seldom bloat; however, it is advisable
not to turn them into clover fields for the first time when they are
hungry. Bloat is less likely to occur on a mixture of clover and grass
or grain then when the clover alone is grazed. As crimson clover reaches
maturity the hairs of the heads and stems become hard and tough. When
it is grazed continuously or when it is fed as hay at this stage large
masses of the hairs are liable to form into hair balls in stomachs of
horses and mules, occasionally with fatal results. If small quantities of
other feeds, particularly roughages, are fed along with the clover, the
formation of these balls will be reduced. Cattle, sheep, and swine do not
seem to be affected.
Crimson clover makes excellent hay when cut at the early-bloom stage,
although the yield may be slightly reduced. For best yields it should be
harvested in full bloom. The hay is easily cured either in the swath or in
the windrow. Fewer leaves are lost and less bleaching occurs in windrowed
hay. Although yields as high as 2½ tons per acre are not uncommon on
fertile soil, 1½ to 2 tons is the usual harvest.
Crimson clover is an ideal green-manure crop. For best results it should
be plowed under 2 to 3 weeks before the succeeding crop is planted. This
gives enough time for decomposition, which is rapid unless the crop is
ripe when turned under. Occasionally strips are plowed in which row
crops are to be planted, allowing the clover between the plowed strips
to mature. Seed may be harvested by hand from the clover between the row
crops, and the remaining clover straw allowed to mat and serve as a mulch,
or the entire plant may be permitted to form a mulch.
Crimson clover may be made into silage by the same methods as are used
for other legumes and grasses. In orchards it is often allowed to mature,
after which it is disked into the soil. A volunteer stand from shattered
seed may be obtained in fall by using the Dixie variety.
=Seed Production=
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