Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1877 — Clover. [ARTICLE]

Clover.

No matter how mismanaged, clover is a benefit, and whatever else he may do, the farmer who grows clover, is making his farm lietter. What, then, might not the result be, if the same care were taken of the clover field as of other crops? It does not need cultivating; the long, deep reaching roots mellow and pulverize the soil as nothing else can. If the clover grows thriftily, the top acts as a mulch, seeding the ground and keeping it moist. A crop of two tons or more of clover, ploughed under or cut f<»r hav, can hardlvfail to leave the ground better than it was before. It should be the farmer's aim to grow the largest possible crop of clover. A slight dressing ofgypsum—one hundred pounds per acre in early spring—often produces wonderful results. But if a farmer has a little well rotted manure, the scrapings of barnyards, fall is the time to apply it. Clover is often injured by freezing and thawing in winter, and a slight covering with manure will afford a great deal of protection. Rich earth from corners of Jences, is well worth drawing a short distance on young clover, provided the ground is hard ami firm. If the field is not mowed coarser manure can be used.—- ( 'ountry {rentleman.