Although crimson clover may be seeded in almost any of the intertilled crops, in this country probably half of it is sown in corn at or shortly after the time of the last cultivation. ([Fig. 3.]) It is usually possible to make such a seeding, obtain a good growth during the fall and early spring, and mature a crop of hay in time for breaking up the land for another crop of corn. South of the latitude of central Delaware it is even possible to mature a crop of clover seed in time for corn planting. In this way it is possible to grow a crop of corn each year and at the same time steadily increase the fertility of the soil for a series of years. Treated in this manner each succeeding crop of corn can ordinarily be materially increased. Instances are reported where the yield of corn has been gradually increased by this means from 10 bushels per acre at the start until as high as 70 bushels per acre were secured.
Fig. 3.—Seeding crimson clover in corn at the last cultivation.
The newly seeded stands of clover in corn are likely to perish if drought occurs at or after seeding time. Tho growing corn makes heavy demands on the soil moisture, and if there is not enough moisture for both clover and corn the latter gets the larger share and the tender clover plants are likely to succumb. It sometimes happens that a very light rain shortly after seeding the clover will cause the seeds to germinate, only to perish during the succeeding days of dry weather. On account of the competition for moisture between the corn and clover it is best to cover the clover seed a little deeper than is necessary when it is sown on fallow land.
North, of the Potomac River the last cultivation of the corn comes at about the right time for the best results with clover seeded at the same time. Farther south, however, there is too much hot weather after the corn is laid by, and as a consequence it is best to delay the seeding of the crimson clover until about 8 or 10 weeks before the first frost may be expected. A light furrow-toothed cultivator or harrow may be run shallow between the rows to cover the seed. The seed may be sown broadcast by hand or even from horseback with a rotary seeder. In such an event, however, it is necessary to cover the ears of the horse with small bags or socks to prevent the entrance of the flying seed. A much more even stand is made possible if the corn is given level tillage rather than the ridged tillage incident to plowing with a 1-horse corn plow and ridging the land. The appearance of a field of crimson clover seeded the summer previous in corn is indicated in [figure 4].
Fig. 4.—Crimson clover in an old cornfield. The clover was seeded in the corn at the last cultivation. A fodder stack is to be observed in the middle foreground. The cornstalks have been removed to avoid difficulty in mowing the clover.